Oblivio Nex

Chapter 6

The two sprang apart and turned towards the voice, panicked. They quickly recognised the boy Blaise, from the near-encounter in the Hospital Wing, who was standing in the hall looking a little surprised.

"Ah, Blaise…?" Draco said, wondering how long the boy had been there - from his lack of shock, not very long.

Blaise blinked and then seemed to come back to himself and glanced at Harry. Draco noticed the boy's face change to a look of intense loathing, and he was immediately alert.

"I was sent to make sure you were okay, that Dumbledore hadn't caught you while you were completing your task – though it seems you haven't even attempted it," Blaise sneered, glancing at Harry.

Draco frowned, not liking this boy's attitude at all.

"It is not for you to judge me, Blaise," Draco hissed, a little amazed at how easily the superior tone flowed out of his mouth.

"I apologise," Blaise said quickly, looking a little abashed, which took Draco by surprise. "The Dark Lord has been harsh on all of us because you've failed to report. Let's just do this now. I'll even help you complete your mission," Blaise proposed with a wild grin.

Draco glanced at Harry worriedly, unsure of what the other boy was talking about and wondering if Harry had any idea. The Gryffindor seemed calm, almost too calm. Draco looked at him again and was shocked when he noticed that Harrywas in fighting stance and seemed ready at any moment to move in defence.

"I'm sure I can manage," Draco said slowly, answering Blaise's enthusiastic proposal.

"Oh come on, Draco – you can't have all the fun with Potter! I'd like to torture him myself before we Avada Kedavra the bastard." Blaise stepped up to Harry threateningly.

Draco's eyes widened in shock; how could Blaise be suggesting he kill Harry?

Blaise suddenly raised his wand and uttered the words that Draco recognised with dread, and before he could think, Dracoran in front of Harry, and screamed as the Dark curse hit and filled him with excruciating pain. When he eventually opened his eyes he found himself on the floor, curled up in a ball and shivering with agony.

"Malfoy, what the hell are you doing?" Blaise shouted angrily.

Harry had been silent up until now, watching the two carefully and getting ready for a fight. There was something about Blaise that didn't sit right - although Harry hadn't thought that thing would be the boy's almost manic desire to kill him. He hadn't even had time to react; he'd thought that he'd be able to deflect anything Blaise threw at him but he hadn't been expecting something so powerful. Harry couldn't believe that Draco had just jumped in front of him. Dracohad taken the full brunt of a curse that looked to have originated from Dark magic.

Harry glared at Blaise furiously and quickly helped the shivering boy at his feet up into his arms, embracing him protectively. Draco looked at Harry gratefully as he continued to shudder, still in shock from the pain.

Blaise looked at them, confused, but then narrowed his eyes disgustedly.

"I always thought you were weak Draco – but to turn to Potter! When our Lord finds out about this you know what'll happen, and I for one can't wait to watch the Brat finally get his just deserts," Blaise grinned intensely as he raised his wand again.

Harry was ready this time though and gently pushed Draco aside, whipping out his own wand.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled, his voice full of power.

Harry watched with surprise when Blaise was violently thrown back against the wall and was effectively knocked out. He advanced on the boy, frowning as he raised his wand.

"Harry!" Draco cried, feeling an oddly familiar fear creep into his mind.

Harry ignored Draco and pointed his wand at the unconscious boy while looking at him darkly.

"Obliviate," Harry intoned.

Draco sighed in relief – it was only a Memory Charm. Draco struggled to his feet, ending up leaning against the wall and gazed at Harry, wondering where this powerful wizard had suddenly come from.

Harry's green eyes were flashing angrily, but when he looked back to Draco his expression changed to concern and he hurried to Draco's side, and he quickly wrapped his arms around the smaller boy. He frowned worriedly when Draco flinched as though still in pain and he loosened his embrace a little. Draco buried his head in Harry's neck miserably and shook as he tried to control his churning emotions.

"Harry, I, I can't… what he said-"

"It doesn't matter what he said, Draco, you stupid git," Harry admonished softly, "I could've lost you… I was so scared."

Draco looked up at him; his silvery eyes filled with unshed tears.

"But I'm supposed to kill you!" Draco blurted out.

"But you haven't," Harry smiled gently.

"But I might have trie-"

"I don't care what you may or may not have done to me. It's in the past. Just promise never to jump in front of a curse again for me."

Draco bit his lip unhappily but nodded.

"I promise."

Harry smiled and gently lifted Draco's small chin so his face was looking up towards him.

"Good," he whispered as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Draco's silky lips.

Draco looked stunned as he pulled back and Harry began to wonder if he'd gone too far, but then Draco smiled shyly.

"If I promised I'd definitely never do it, would you kiss me again?" Draco asked hesitantly, a faint pink blush staining his cheeks.

Harry grinned in relief and pulled Draco closer.

"I think that I'd probably have to kiss you again," Harry said as he gently placed a quick kiss on the boy's lips. "Once-" kiss, "twice-" kiss, "maybe even three times," Harry smirked as he kissed the blonde.

"Harry?" Draco whispered, as he looked into intense green eyes.

"Mmm?"

"You talk too much," and with that Draco pulled him into a deep kiss, which the surprised Gryffindor reciprocated eagerly. Harry teased Draco's mouth open and his tongue snaked between the blonde's lush lips. Draco's heart hammered as he kissed back just as enthusiastically, his grip tightening slightly on Harry's neck as though afraid the dark haired boy would disappear if Draco so much as thought of letting go.

The kiss suddenly became a dance of candid passion, it was as if something had taken over the two boys and both experienced a deep sense of relief they couldn't explain. As the two reluctantly pulled away, they looked at each other shakily and knew exactly what it was they were feeling. It appeared this was a lot more than a mild crush.

"I think this has been going on for a while," Draco said finally, referring to their very mutual feelings.

"It would certainly explain why I'm still alive," Harry grinned.

Draco frowned. "Don't joke about that," he muttered.

Harry's smile faltered and he tightened his hold on the slender boy.

"It's all right--we just have to find out the facts. I'm sure it'll all make sense when we know the truth," he reassured the boy.

"Facts? Truth?" Draco laughed darkly as he dropped his head on Harry's shoulder, "The only one who's been honest with us so far is the psychopath over there," Draco nodded at the unconscious Blaise.

"Well, if the students are being honest with us, it seems we'll have to start there. What about the people who asked about us in that letter?" Harry proposed, looking at Draco for support.

"Hermione and Ron?" Draco asked, unsure; the two had given the impression that they didn't much care for him.

Harry nodded.

"They didn't even write back," Draco pointed out with a small frown.

"It's worth a try," Harry said determinedly.

"Well, why not – my friends attack you, yours will attack me – why in Merlin's name not?" Draco smirked faintly.

"They won't attack you, Draco," Harry said.

"Hmmm," Draco muttered, too drained to argue. He kissed Harry swiftly and pulled out of the embrace, taking the boy's hand. "Let's get back, I don't fancy being caught again."

Harry noticed the change of subject but let it drop as he saw how tired the delicate boy looked; that curse must have taken a lot of his energy. Harry frowned fretfully but was unable to keep from smiling as Draco's hand clasped his own. At least he had one less thing to worry about: now he could stare at Draco all he wanted!

-

To be continued…