Life Long Love Chapter Eight:

Author: Emerald Thorn

Rating: R (especially this chapter)

Main Pairing: Draco/Harry

Disclaimer: Not mine XD

Author's notes follow story.

Blaise carefully maneuvered his small group of Slytherins closer to Granger's habitual table in the school library. McNair and Nott followed closely on Blaise's heels as he poked fun at Pansy. Pansy being Pansy hadn't yet realized just yet how insulting Blaise was being towards her. Sometimes Blaise was very sure that Pansy's family had inbred so much that there had been a massive loss of intelligence in the current generation—so much so that Pansy only had passed her OWLS several years ago by having her father pay the exam board a large sum of money. Making sure it was not overly obvious what he was doing he began to steer the conversation towards a topic he knew would prompt Pansy to say Draco's name.

"I'm sure Draco would agree with me," Pansy said with a slight sniff, her nose threatening to turn up at Blaise as her blonde curls bounced unrestrained around her average features. "I can't wait for Draco to be released so I can tell him how you've slighted me. He will make you apologize Blaise!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Blaise mentally smirked as Granger's bushy head was just barely peeking out from behind one of the many rows of books. "I talked to Professor Snape and he said that Draco would be moving back into the dorms from the infirmary tomorrow. Considering how bad Professor Snape seemed to think Draco was hurt I doubt he will be defending you anytime soon Parkinson."

Granger was now listening very closely, her entire face was now visible around the corner with her eyebrows furrowed and eyes calculating as she watched the Slytherins, not aware that Blaise was unobtrusively watching her as he taunted Pansy. Blaise had her right where he wanted her.

"Draco will defend me if he knows what's good for him," Pansy sniffed, her dirty blonde curls bouncing around her un-perfect oval face as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. Sometimes Pansy could be nauseating when she thought she was being beautiful.

Telling himself that Draco owed him big, Blaise leered at Pansy and dropped his voice so it would carry to Granger's ears. "I saw Draco yesterday in the hospital wing and you didn't even come up in the conversation. I think you've slipped from his thoughts Parkinson. Maybe you should try and be more attractive if you ever want to be a Malfoy."

Pansy gasped and shrieked at the same time, looking truly revolting in Blaise's opinion. Continuing to smirk, Blaise wasn't surprised when Pansy slapped him. What did surprise him was how deep one of the numerous rings she wore cut into his skin.

Snarling, Blaise caught Pansy's wrist before she could lower it. "Parkinson," Blaise growled, "If I was you and as bad a student as you I would be very afraid if what you did scars. Get out of my sight."

Pansy began to cry and ran out of the library, upsetting the librarian in the process. Nott and McNair, only looked at Blaise skeptically before they continued on to their study area leaving Blaise scowling at the spot where Pansy had been standing. Lifting a hand to his face, Blaise winced as his fingers explored how deep the cuts were. One cut, the deepest one, ran across his left cheekbone to the nose where it had taken out a chunk of skin and was bleeding heavily. Another two cuts ran parallel lower on the cheek but were shallower and it was hard to tell how badly they were bleeding because of the higher cut.

Looking at the blood on his hand, Blaise reached into his bag and grabbed his monogrammed handkerchief and pressed firmly on his cheek before looking at where Granger stood in the row before him.

A calculating look in her eye, Granger tilted her head to the side to see how badly Pansy had hurt him. "You should go to the infirmary for that or it'll scar."

"I know," Blaise said cautiously, wondering what was going on in that head of hers.

"If you want I'll go with you," she offered.

Blaise let his curiosity show on his face a bit as he responded in a neutral tone. "Why would you care Gryffindor?"

"I heard that Malfoy had a concussion and I read up on the wizard treatment. I didn't know that hitting your head had so few treatment options in the wizarding world." Granger's expression gave away nothing; Blaise wondered who had taught her to be this subtle.

"Yes he did. He's having very bad headaches and Madame Pomphrey hasn't been able to get rid of them so he had to see a specialist for a few days. I haven't seen him since he returned." Blaise wondered if she believed a word of what he just said.

"He did? See a specialist I mean," Hermione said with interest. Malfoy seeing a specialist would explain why Ron hadn't been able to find Malfoy in the infirmary.

"Yes. His mother insisted. Now if you don't mind I need to go to the infirmary," Blaise said, showing his best fake suspicious face.

"Oh, well yes. I do hope that it doesn't scar," Granger said. Blaise thought she almost sounded honest about it.

Turning, Blaise sauntered out of the library. It was becoming a very busy Sunday night indeed.

Hermione waited ten minutes after Zambini left to pack up her things and go in search of Ron. Half stumbling through the portrait hole, she found him playing a game of exploding snap with Ginny, Neville, Dean, and Seamus. Grabbing her boyfriend's arm, she whispered in his ear, "Ron I need to talk to you now!"

Dumping her bags, she followed Ron as he headed up to the seventh year boys' dormitory. Shutting the door after her, Hermione watched as Ron plopped down on his bed and turned his attention on his girlfriend.

Taking a deep breath to calm down and catch her breath Hermione explained what she'd heard. Ron listened attentively, waiting until Hermione was done before asking his questions.

"So it is possible that there was a good reason for Malfoy to not be in the infirmary when we were looking for him?" Ron asked Hermione, his expression contemplative.

"Yes, but it still is a huge coincidence that the night Malfoy happened to get hit in the head falling down some stairs is the same night that Harry disappeared! I don't know if there is any connection but it certainly is very suspicious. Dumbledore isn't saying anything either which worries me." Hermione began to pace, her mind working and reworking what she knew about her best friend's mysterious absence.

"I don't think there's anything we can do until tomorrow, 'Mione. There's no use wearing a hole in the floor," Ron said as he snagged his girlfriend's arm and pulled her to sit in his lap. "Hopefully Dumbledore will say something soon. Harry's been gone for over a week and we can't be the only ones trying to get some information. Besides, Harry can't miss a lot of school without getting behind so Dumbledore will have to bring him back to Hogwarts."

"Yes, we do have our NEWTS coming up," Hermione said distractedly.

Ron moaned in despair at his girlfriend's one track mind.

Draco awoke to Harry's lips on his demanding attention. It was early in the morning and although they had both stayed awake until after midnight, Harry seemed as awake as could be and was demanding that Draco wake up as well. Sighing contentedly at his mate's insistent efforts, Draco gave in.

Thirty minutes later a sated Harry lay cuddled on top of Draco, his head pillowed on Draco's chest. Harry didn't want to move and trigger another frantic lovemaking episode like the one that had awoken him earlier. Uneasiness had settled in last night and it was continuing to build. Being separated from Draco was weighing heavily upon him, making him cling to his mate more tightly. This morning's episode was a product of this feeling, which he knew Draco was feeling through him but was not producing himself.

What Harry wouldn't give for a normal uncomplicated relationship that did not come with seemingly random emotions that he had no control over. There was no rational explanation he could come up with to explain why he suddenly was feeling as if he needed Draco within him. The urgency of the feeling and the panic of not having Draco when the sudden need came hit Harry with the force of a tidal wave. Hence this morning's tumble in bed before Draco had even been fully awake.

Sensing Harry's unease, Draco had been lightly massaging Harry's tense body for some time now. Being aware of his mate's feelings did give Draco some advantage but even though they had just lain together Draco could tell that the drive had not left Harry. In fact it seemed slightly faded, like it was temporarily being held back but only tenuously, like a dangerous dog tied by an old bit of rope that was fraying badly. Puzzled as to how to reassure his mate and rid Harry of his anxiety, Draco frowned as the alarm clock on their bedside table announced that it was time for him to get out of bed.

Shutting the alarm off with a quick spell, Draco looked at Harry who was starring morosely at Draco's chest. "I need to shower, will you join me?" Draco asked, his hands never stilling as they moved up and down Harry's body.

Harry lifted his face to look into Draco's eyes and nodded slightly. As they rose from bed, Harry grabbed at Draco's hand and held on tightly as they walked into their shared bathing room. Starting the water flowing in the shower that could easily have held six, Draco sorted through the cabinet that held various soaps and shampoos. Selecting what he needed, he added body soap with a calming potion built into it for Harry.

Harry detached himself from Draco's side long enough to grab a few towels and a body sponge and placed the towels within reach of the shower doorway. Returning to his mate, he slid an arm around Draco's waist.

Looking at Harry with concern, Draco guided both of them under the water. Harry turned and buried his head in Draco's chest, nuzzling and nipping at Draco's wet skin. Hesitantly placing his arms around Harry, Draco stood patiently under the hot spray waiting for Harry to indicate when to move.

Harry eventually picked up Draco's shampoo and told Draco to turn around. Washing Draco's hair, Harry felt the now familiar tremble run through his body. Without allowing Draco to rinse his hair, Harry turned him around so they were facing one another and kneeled to take Draco in his mouth. Draco sharply breathed in as Harry suckled, surprised by Harry's sudden switch in activities.

Suckling only until Draco was hard, Harry turned around and impatiently pushed his rear against Draco. Pausing momentarily, Draco opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Harry's snarling growl and impatient shoving of his body against Draco's.

"I'm still stretched from last time," Harry snarled impatiently wondering why Draco was waiting.

"Are you sure?" Draco asked, his hands cupping Harry closer yet not moving to give Harry what he was demanding.

"Yes. I don't know why but I need you now!" Harry was getting very frustrated. His logical side was saying 'sex is good but this may be overdoing it' while some other part of him was saying 'mate now!'

When Draco hesitated again, Harry reached back to grab Draco and guided him in as he thrust backwards taking Draco fully into his body with a little bit of pain from the rough entry. Draco gasped and held still as Harry adjusted. Trembling as he strove to hold himself still, Draco was told by Harry mentally that it was now okay to move. Moving slowly so he wouldn't hurt his mate, Draco kissed the nape of Harry's neck. Harry moaned and moved in rhythm with his mate.

It was soon over, and Harry would not allow Draco to withdraw. When Draco tried to move, Harry started crying silently. Concerned, Draco turned Harry around and hugged him tightly to his chest.

"Harry?" Draco said just loud enough to be heard above the noise of falling water.

"I don't know what's wrong with me," Harry told his mate.

Kissing Harry's wet mop of hair, Draco tightened his hold briefly before reaching for the soap and washing Harry from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Finished with Harry, Draco then did the same for his own body while maintaining skin to skin contact with Harry.

Harry stayed quiet the entire time, feeling exhausted.

Shutting off the water, Draco dried them both and guided Harry back to their bedroom. Pushing Harry down onto the bed, Draco narrowly avoided being pulled down onto the bed by his mate. Backing up out of reach, Draco regarded Harry who was breathing heavily.

"Draco, come back. I need you again," Harry whispered as his eyes dilated and his breathing heavy as his hands reached for Draco who was just out of reach. His previous exhaustion had vanished as he was reminded of Draco's imminent departure.

"Harry, much as I would like to spend all day in bed with you I can't," Draco said, shifting slightly as his veela instincts urged him to give Harry what he wanted.

"I know but I don't want you to go. One more time please? Maybe the urge will be less powerful afterwards..."

Harry's pleading eyes and wavering voice were quickly eroding Draco's resolve. Luckily he reminded himself that he had set the alarm clock for much earlier than was necessary.

Sighing, Draco gave in and went to Harry who happily tumbled Draco into their bed.

The angle of sunlight coming into the room had changed when Draco was next coherent enough to understand that Harry and he had company.

"Draco you're going to be late to see Sev if you don't get up," Blaise warned his best friend who was twisted in the sheets with Harry wrapped around him like a second skin.

Blinking at Blaise, it took a few moments for Draco's sex dazed mind to process why and what Blaise was doing in his bedroom. Untangling himself with difficulty from an asleep Harry further complicated things. Blaise finally had to help him by holding Harry in place with a spell, preventing Harry from reattaching himself to Draco once Draco had squirmed out of his iron grip.

"Don't release him until we're shutting the door," Draco told Blaise, his body trembling as he left Harry in bed and quickly washed up in the bathroom while Blaise watched Harry sleep.

Dressing himself, Draco found it hard to tear his gaze away from his mate who was searching in his sleep for Draco. Harry scrunched up his nose cutely as his searching hands encountered nothing but cold rumbled sheets. Returning to the bed, Draco lightly kissed Harry on the lips which caused Harry to calm.

"Sleep Harry," Draco whispered as he silently cast a veela spell designed to sooth a troubled mate. As tired as Harry was from their earlier activities, it caused him to fall into a deep sleep curled around Draco's pillow which he was lightly stroking.

"Draco, we need to go," Blaise reminded him from where he was leaning against the door.

"Then let's go before I change my mind," Draco replied as he walked backwards out the door, eyes not leaving Harry's sleeping form.

TBC

Sorry but Lucius got moved to the next chapter....

Sorry I'm getting slower at updating—I've got another story that sidetracked me from this one. I'm still debating whether I'll post the other story here on ffnet because it has a lot more sex in it than this one... but it's more humorous too... ah what a dilemma. It's still H/D (the only slash pairing I'm permanently attached to). Does anyone have a place they would recommend I could post?

Eek... only 4 reviews this time. I guess people didn't like chapter seven... Thanks to those who took the time.

Brenna8: if you get the library I get the bathroom....

Isis: Well, we'll say they're all having a blonde moment.

Dead yet a love sick puppy: glad I'm amusing you

Yana: the question is can he be too nosey and ruin his character? There's a fine edge between good nosey and just plain overdoing it.