Hello, everyone. Ugh…I have a horrible case of allergies and strep throat which I caught from my sister. Yuk. Boo to her! Anyway, I'm not going to let that get in the way of my story. I will update because you guys who review are just too wonderful to disappoint!

So, I would like to thank all my wonderful reviewers! You guys rock!

Also, I dedicate this entire story to Gabriella Malfoy-Potter! You're the best!

Oh, also, a small note. Remember how I mention that Harry was on the basketball team earlier on in the story? Well, I thought this chapter would be a good time to bring that into the plot because I have this totally awesome idea that came to me when my teacher made the same offer to me. Well, except that there wasn't any love going on between us; it was totally platonic. Lol. But when you put Draco and Harry in our spots, it's a totally sexy situation! So anyway, the reason I brought this up is because I want to brig in Oliver Wood as the team captain, so I'm going to have to change his age slightly. He's going to be the same age as Fred and George, who, in my story, are seniors. I hope that's okay with you guys.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the season, and how basketball is supposed to be played earlier on in the year, then sorry. It's just that I sort of need to mess around a bit with that so that I can fit the sport into my story. And since my school messed up the system and is having the basketball team now, I figured I could do the same in my story.

Now, on with the story!

Chapter: 8

Harry Potter: A criminal

"The one and only." A slightly amused look glimmered in his grey eyes.

"Uh, hi," Harry replied, suddenly wishing Ron or Hermione (or anyone, really!) would magically pop into the supermarket and save him from this entirely too embarrassing moment.

"Hello, Harry. What a coincidence it is to meet you here."

Harry merely nodded, looking around awkwardly, while Draco continued to look at him as if he wanted to say something more. Finally, a look of determination swept across Draco's face.

"How did your date go with Luna? Well, I hope." As he'd spoken, the blond strained to put a smile on his face, hoping to look nonchalant about the whole affair. Inside, however, Draco shook with suppressed anger and jealousy.

If he says they're going to keep dating, I'll bloody kill her! No, Draco. Calm down.

Draco waited silently, a pleasant look struggling to keep its nestled perch on his face, as Harry took a moment to think his words through before answering.

Maybe I should lie. Maybe I should tell him Luna and I had a great date and that we are going to continue dating for a long time, and that I think she's the one. That would drive him away for sure.

Harry looked up to catch a brief glimpse of Draco's eyes before abruptly looking away and continuing his newly-directed chain of thoughts.

But do I really want to drive him away?

Yes! A voice in his head urged. He's your teacher! You're underage! And worse yet, he's a HE!

Yes, but still… I like him. Harry silently admitted to himself.

No you don't! No you don't! That would mean you're gay, which you most definitely are not! Harry, just lie and walk away!

"Oh…umm," Harry mumbled to stall for time as his hectic thoughts continued.

But I do like him, and I don't want to drive him away.

Yes, you do!

No, I don't! I'm going to tell him the truth!

No! Harry, don't-

But the words tumbled out of him before he could finish his crazy thoughts. "Luna and I think it's best to just stay friends."

NO!

"Oh, really?" A predatory look danced across Draco's eyes before quickly being replaced by a mask of casualness.

Oh, crap. Harry thought to himself. He had not missed that look. He new that, without knowing it, his answer had been a blatant invitation for Draco to continue pursuing him.

"Yes, we just don't…connect in that way," Harry mumbled, his cheeks burning warmer with each word.

"Oh, well that's just too bad. I'm sure you'll find someone who you can connect with in that way soon… perhaps sooner than you think," Draco replied, muttering the last bit to.

Harry nodded, and quickly began walking away, hoping their awkward conversation had finally been brought to an end.

"Oh, Harry." Draco called. Harry stopped, his breath hitching a bit as he felt Draco's endearing presence walk up behind him, an enchanting warmth surrounding Harry's smaller form. Inwardly shaking his head, Harry breathed in, trying to calm himself and forget about the fluttery feelings Draco was, once again, forcing him to feel.

However, this caused Harry to accidentally catch a whiff of Draco's enticing aroma, filling his senses with the smell of peaceful water. The brunette found himself being dragged back into the memory of his detention with the teacher that currently stood behind him. Harry's eyes began to flutter, slightly, and the young teen fought desperately to keep control of his senses; a battle which he was quickly losing.

"You forgot something," Draco whispered into Harry's ear, the blonde's breath tickling the shell of Harry's ear just perfectly, sending an irrepressible shiver down Harry's spine. As the blonde walked away, he dropped a small, cold lump into Harry's hands.

Harry stared after Draco's receding form, stunned, before looking down to see a perfectly square package of mozzarella cheese. A small smile found its way onto Harry's soft, pink lips.

"Unbelievable," Harry quietly muttered to himself, shaking his head as he often did.

DHDHDH

"Potter! Weasley! Stop talking and get over here!" Oliver Wood, their team captain called with mild annoyance in his voice. Harry and Ron, blushing with embarrassment, jogged over to their captain.

"Now, come on, team! We've got to practice, practice, practice! This is my last year in high school, and I'll be damned if we don't win the championship!" At this, Harry and Ron sent frightened looks toward each other. Oliver could really get just a tiny bit obsessive when it came to sports. "We are going to work harder than we've ever worked before! Coach Hooch has already chosen Fred, George, Ron, Harry, and myself as starters, but that doesn't mean that everyone else can slack off!" Groans were heard from the other seven players. Oliver, however, simply ignored them and continued on with a boring speech, which Harry soon tuned out.

He didn't like listening to the boring speeches. Instead, Harry just liked rushing out onto the court and playing his best. He loved just letting his rush of adrenaline escape through his hands as he dribbled the ball across the court, never knowing what was going to happen next. At any moment, an opposing team member could jump out and try to steal the ball from him.

That was true basketball, in his mind; not listening t boring speeches, acting mechanically, and following a step-by-step plan like robots. There were certain plays which were necessary, of course, but Oliver sometimes drowned out the true fun of basketball by his compulsive need to win.

A ball was suddenly thrown in Harry's direction and, thanks to his perfect reflexes, he caught it. He quickly looked around to see that a practice game had begun.

DHDHDH

Harry's part of the team was down by one point. The score was 53-52 with nine seconds left in the game. Harry had the ball and was quickly being cornered by the other team. Time was his enemy, and everyone on the opposing team knew it. If they could just keep him busy for a few seconds, they would have the game in the bag.

They had formed a box around him, and with him being on the other side of the court, there was no way he could get to his basket in time. Seeing that Fred and George were playing on the opposing team, he knew there was also no way of throwing an air pass to one of his members.

Instead, he made a smart bounce pass to Ron, who had been waiting just a foot behind Fred, and quickly started running to the other side of the court.

Four seconds left and Ron kept running, bouncing that ball as quickly as he could.

Two seconds left, and Ron stopped for a split-second to take aim, before shooting. The time ran out just as his fingertips left the ball. Harry held his breath, looking at the ball as it made a beautiful arch. This may have been only a practice game, but every game worked Harry up just as much as the next, and he knew that this ball would determine the winner.

Swish!

The ball dove into the net perfectly. A brilliant smile broke out across Harry's face and he quickly ran over to Ron to give him a great hug, just as all the other team members did.

"Aw… isn't that adorable? Ickle Ronnikins looks just ever-so-loved!" Shouted Fred, with a chuckle.

"Yes, he does, doesn't he?" George added in.

"Oh, shut up!" Ron shouted back, although it came out slightly muffled, as he was still engulfed in a stifling group hug.

"Okay, break it up! That's enough!" Oliver called out, although he was smiling brightly as well, having been on Harry's team. "This was just a practice win. We can't get all excited over this. We've got to keep our minds on the bigger goal!"

"Oliver!" Several people whined.

"But good job, nonetheless."

"Yeah!" Everyone shouted jubilantly.

"Now, go on! Everyone head out to the showers and go home!"

DHDHDH

"Brilliant pass, Harry!" Ron exclaimed as they got dress in the locker rooms. Everyone had already showered and gone. Ron and Harry were the only ones still left in the locker rooms.

"Yeah, but your shot was awesome, Ron! You've never shot like that before." Harry replied, pulling on his shorts.

"I've been practicing." Ron answered, his face beaming with pride. "Listen, Harry, I've got to hurry home. My mom wanted me to help her with some cleaning around the house. Ugh! I mean, why can't Ginny just do that? But no… because Ginny is so busy with keeping her grades up; something that I don't spend nearly enough time on! But then-"

"Okay! I get it Ron! You don't have to play out the whole scene between you and your mom." Harry answered with a smile.

"Oh, sorry." Ron muttered, his ears turning faintly red. "Well, bye Harry."

"See you."

Harry stood up and grabbed his sports bag before grabbing his uniform as well, and stuffing it inside of his bag, along with the socks and boxers he had worn during practice. Then, he bent down and finished tying his shoelaces tightly in order to make sure that they would come loose. He then rose with his bag in his right hand, and gave the locker room a once over to make sure he hadn't left anything.

Seeing that he hadn't forgotten anything, he gave a quick glance in the direction of the mirror and smiled before heading out of the locker room. He always felt especially giddy after a good practice.

Harry opened the doors to leave the school and was immediately drowned in a sea of heat.

"Ugh." It was much too hot for the beginning of spring. Although Harry loved warm weather, too much heat made him feel like everything was dragging him down. He let out a soft, resigned sigh and began his long trek home.

By the time he reached his fifth step, however, he heard a familiar voice call out to him from somewhere. Confused, Harry looked around, wondering where the voice had come from. Suddenly, he spotted Draco looking out to him from the window of a car. (1)

"What are you doing in school so late?" Draco asked, curiously.

"Oh, I just came out of practice." Harry said, the sentence coming out in a part mumble. Their run-in at the grocery store still lingered in his mind.

"That's right. You play basketball, correct?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Oh, I heard a teacher mention it once in the teacher's lounge. Anyway, are you heading home?" Draco asked, abruptly changing the subject. Harry didn't notice, however, and continued on with the conversation; little by little, feeling less and less bashful around the blonde.

"Yeah."

"Where do you live?" Draco asked casually.

Not understanding where the conversation was headed, Harry continued to answer, completely oblivious. "On 73rd street."

"On 73rd street? That's really far from here, Harry; it's nearly 15 blocks away."

"Well, it's not that bad. I'm used to it already."

"Still, it's really just much too far. Get in."

Harry let out a nervous chuckle. "You're kidding, right?"

"No, Harry, I'm not. Open the door and get in. I'll drive you there."

"Oh, Draco, you really don't have to. It's no big deal. I don't want to bother you. I can just walk home." Harry replied anxiously, trying to weasel his way out of getting inside the car with this teacher who made him feel too many emotions inside.

"Harry, it's no bother at all; trust me. Besides, I can see that you're already practically melting out there in the heat." Draco insisted.

Suddenly, entering a car with a nice AC didn't seem so bad at all. Harry looked up at Draco's smiling face. There it was again; the gorgeous face that had made him accept the fact the he might be just a little bit gay, yesterday. The face that made him want to cross the boundaries between teacher and student; between adult and minor.

"Come on, Harry. Get in; I don't bite, you know." There was a faint string of amusement laced into Draco's voice.

Looking up into the searing sun, Harry felt his resistance cave in and he grabbed the door handle, opening it and pulling himself inside.

"Thanks," he muttered, once he'd buckled his belt and sat himself comfortable, letting the cool air from the AC flicker across his face welcomingly.

"Don't mention it." Draco replied, and he began driving.

"So you have practice on Mondays?" Draco asked conversationally.

"Yeah, this was the first practice of the season. We're going to have practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. And we're going to have games on Wednesdays and Fridays."

"Wow, you're pretty booked, then, aren't you."

"Mm-hmm. But it sucks- I mean stinks." Harry corrected himself, remembering that he was with a teacher, even if it was Draco.

"And why is that?" Draco asked, ignoring Harry's small slip-up. "Don't you like basketball?"

"Oh, I love basketball; that's not the problem. The problem is that because we're busy everyday after school, we can't get any detentions at all or we're not allowed to go to practice or a game, depending on which day or days we get detention on."

"So? That shouldn't be a problem with you. You're a great kid." Draco said, looking away from the road, briefly, to give Harry an encouraging smile.

"Well, maybe," Harry agreed, a small blush crawling across his cheeks and up his neck. "But that doesn't matter when it comes to Snape. He hates basketball and he always tries to give the basketball players detention whenever he can; especially on game days."

"Severus is such a grouch," Draco said, snickering. Then, seeing Harry's eyes go wide with astonishment, he asked, "What is it?"

"It's just, I never heard any teacher actually say that about Snape...aloud." Harry admitted.

"Well, that's just because they have to look like all the teachers are wonderful friends with each other. But we're outside of school now, so I'm allowed to say whatever I want." Draco answered, smiling.

Harry laughed. "Well, then am I allowed to say whatever I want to say about him, too?"

"I'd be insulted if you didn't."

"Well, he's an evil insect-like devil with a huge hook for a nose and a horribly painful shovel lodged up his rear end." Harry voiced aloud, a slight glare marring his features at just the thought of his evil biology teacher.

Draco let out a hardy laugh, which then set Harry off laughing as well. He couldn't believe he had just said that to a teacher, but with Draco, it just felt so easy to be yourself.

"Well, that's quite a colorful description." Draco commented after he had gotten his laughing under control.

"It's the truth, is what it is."

"You really, are something special, Harry."

Suddenly, the ease Harry had felt with Draco slowly dissipated and he now felt himself enveloped in a feeling of tension. He looked down, into his lap, thinking of what to do next. He couldn't think of anything, though, and he just stayed quiet for the rest of the ride until Draco pulled the car to a stop.

"This is 73rd street. Is your house around here?" Draco asked.

Lifting his head to look out the front window, Harry nodded. "It's just there, that one with the blue shutters." As he raised his hand to open the door, he felt Dracos' hand gently cup his shoulder.

"If you ever need another ride after school, just let me know, alright?"

Harry nodded and moved to leave the car again, but was once again stopped as Draco squeezed his shoulder just ever so slightly.

"Harry," Draco said.

"Yes?"

Seeing that Harry wasn't going to willingly lift his head to look at him anytime soon, Draco took the initiative and gently grabbed Harry's chin, turning the young brunette's face to look at him.

"You don't have to be scared of me. I'm not going to hurt you."

"I know." Harry whispered quietly.

"You should follow your instincts. Do what you feel is right; not what everyone else would think is right."

Their eyes were glued to each other, and for a moment, Harry could think of nothing but Draco; for many more moments, he could think of nothing but Draco. And after several more moments, Harry followed Draco's words like the bible and did what he'd been aching to do ever since that detention: he leaned in.

The kiss felt even more wonderful than the last; perhaps because Harry knew that he was the one to initiate it, or perhaps because he was finally doing it with a clear conscience: he could willingly admit that even if he wasn't totally gay, he was at least bisexual, and he definitely had a strong attraction to his teacher. Whichever the true reason was didn't matter.

Harry was enjoying this carefree kiss. He didn't care if once he stepped out of the car, reality came crashing down on him. Right now, he was living in the moment, and the moment was a very beautiful one, indeed.

Draco gave Harry's lips and encouraging lick, and Harry quickly opened up, allowing him free entrance. The brunette kissed back eagerly, wanting to enjoy this as much as possible. He felt Draco's hand slip to the back of his neck, and his fingers entangle themselves into Harry's messy locks.

Harry wanted the same. He wanted to know just how silky Draco's hair felt. Without a second of hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Draco, and let his fingers brush through Draco's divine locks of hair.

Soon, however, much too soon for Harry, Draco pulled away, breathing irregularly from the long kiss.

"What is it?" Harry asked, through small gasps of air.

"We're right in the middle of the public eye, Harry. I feel your eagerness as well, Harry, but we've got to act with caution."

Harry nodded in understanding, a slight frown making its way onto his lips.

It was quickly swept away, though, as Draco gave him another chaste peck on the lips.

"Don't be sad, Harry. I promise this doesn't have to be our last kiss if you don't want it to be."

"I don't. I want this to happen again," Harry answered, ignoring the ever-occurring blush that always made a visit at the most inopportune moments.

"Then it will, Harry. You're too beautiful to let go." Draco whispered, before kissing Harry one last time, and opening the door for him. "You should go, now; before your parents get worried about your whereabouts."

"Yeah," Harry agreed, stepping out of the car. He closed the door and stepped back as Draco drove away.

Walking up the block to his home, Harry let out a nervous sigh he hadn't known he'd been holding in. He felt exhilarated and worried at the same time. He felt more alive than ever, but very close to the end. He felt dread and anticipation.

There were so many reasons why he shouldn't have done what he did, but so many reasons why he was right to do what he did.

"Honey, are you alright?" Lily asked, as she saw her son's emotion-ridden face enter through the door.

"Yeah, just tired. Practice was real tough."

"Oh, alright then. Go take a nap; I'll call you when dinner's ready."

"Mm-hmm. Okay, Mom."

Harry dragged his feet up the stairs and into his room, letting himself fall onto the bed when he'd walked close enough to it.

What just happened? Harry thought to himself.

He knew that there were so many things wrong with what he had engaged in, but he just couldn't bring himself to regret any of it.

So… I'm guessing this means that I'm gay…. Or bisexual. Whichever. Hethought to himself. Well, I guess I'm okay with that.

Now the only problem was that Draco was an adult, and his teacher, while Harry was a minor and his students. What he was doing was against the law.

Harry's eyes went wide with realization.

Holy crap! I'm a criminal!

AN:

I didn't say what kind of car Draco drove because I know that everyone always pictures Draco in some very expensive and extravagant luxury car, but you have to remember that Draco is just a teacher in my story. And I also never mentioned whether he came from a rich background or not. So although I'm not saying he's poor or anything, he's not gloriously rich, either. I'd say he's a well-off upper middle-class. But I know it would disappoint everyone if I said Draco drove any other car than some wonderful BMW or something along those lines, so I just left it out altogether. Sorry, you guys. :-(

I hope you guys liked this chapter, not much happening…pretty much the same thing throughout the whole chapter, but hey! There was a lot of DH action, right? Just as I promised! I know that Harry has now admitted that he's gay and that he likes Draco, but don't think that the plot is over! Please don't stop reading because you think, "Oh, they're together. There's nothing more to read." It would just kill me if I stopped getting reviews. I promise that there is much more action to come.

Remember how I said rumors were going to start and such? Well, after a bit more DH action, I'm going to have someone accuse them of dating each other, and of course, this is going to create lots of chaos. After that, I'll have to work out some more stuff, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know! I'd love to add them into my story. D

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the long AN. Please review!

xoxo Spideria xoxo