PLEASE READ!!! This chapter deals with Draco's POV only… well, a very small bit of Sev's too, but it's all Draco. The next chapter will regress back to the week Draco skipped over and deal with Harry and Sev. Their POVs. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own this. JK Rowling and subsidiaries do, and there is no copyright infringement intended.

Chapter Six: Labyrinth of Confusion

It had been over a week since Draco had his conversation with Severus. Where he purposely stated the truth in such a manner that Severus couldn't help but understand it in the twisted way Draco meant him to. Some would call him cruel, but he had to be sure that his godfather felt for Harry what his best friend felt for Severus. He would not allow one to hurt the other. Severus had been cooped up in his dungeons for three days after that, presumably working on the scrolls Granger sent along. But Draco knew Severus had to surface sometime. His godfather couldn't go for too long without seeing Harry when Harry was in the castle. He would need to feed his desire for a glimpse, if nothing more. And he had. After three days he entered the Great Hall for dinner. And watched Harry throughout the meal. While Harry tried to surreptitiously watch Severus as well. He ended up blushing for the majority of dinner because he had been caught. It never went through his mind that he was only caught because Severus was watching him. But Draco knew. He saw it all. And smirked. Until Severus sent him a pained look. Then Draco reevaluated the conversation he had with him, and decided it was time for a new approach.

Draco had come to the conclusion that it was time to reinstate one of his schoolboy habits. Weekly discussions with Severus. So on Sunday evening after dinner, he followed Severus down to his quarters.

There they sat and talked long into the night. Draco did reveal that he was not, under any conditions, dating Harry Potter.

"I am merely his friend. And as such, I am concerned for the well being of my friend. Once Harry and his mate are together, I will no longer be needed to stay with him. I will once again be relegated to friend, confidante. Not bedfellow.  Incidentally, there is only so much time one can dwell on their fears and insecurity. They should move forward. Take that step that some find so irrevocable, but others find infinitely more preferable to being alone for the rest of their lives."

Severus sent a confused glance to Draco. "What, exactly, are you saying?"

"Think on it, Uncle Sev. That's all I ask," Draco replied. With that, he moved to the door. Stepping into the corridor beyond, he turned one last time. "Good night, Sev."

Severus did think on it. The only reason he could come up with had been that Draco told him, specifically, about there being only so much time because he knew. Draco knew about Severus' feelings for Harry, and was warning him to make his move now, before it was too late. But how? That was the million galleon question. How had Draco found out? What, precisely, did he know? And did he know who Harry's mate was? Was that the reason for the warning? Was the mate that Harry had his sights on inappropriate? Unpardonable? Unacceptable? Questions ran in endless circles through his head, causing yet another sleepless night.

Draco was congratulating himself when he stepped through the doorway and into his and Harry's quarters. Harry had gone to Hogsmeade, on the pretense of visiting Hermione, but Draco could tell that Harry was strained, fraying at the edges because of his inability to get his love, and so needed a break. He would be spending the evening there, and possibly the night. 'If only each knew what the other felt!'  he thought. Prowling restlessly through the room, Draco spied a book lying open on the desk. But what piqued his interest in this particular book was that the words were written, not printed. Leaning over the desk he recognized Harry's writing.

He caught me again. Every time I look at him, he catches me. I wish that I could watch him for just one day without him noticing. But he's too observant. It's like he can feel… sense when I'm watching. Staring. Memorizing his features, looking for any change, no matter how small. He looks strained lately. Like he's stressed over something that I can't fathom. Voldemort is dead these last three years. The remaining Death Eaters either rounded up or in hiding. I just can't figure it out. I watched him at lunch today. Watched him eating. Watched those sensuous lips wrap around his spoon, his fork. And I felt hungry. But not for food. I couldn't swallow a bite. No. I was hungry for him. Two more weeks until term begins, and already I'm feeling like I'm falling apart. Not physically, but emotionally. I feel for him what I've never felt for another. Not even Draco when I had that little crush on him. That was for looks. This. This is for mind, body and soul. I want this man with all my being; want to give myself, my all, to him. To make him understand. To have him love me. To feel secure because he is mine as I am his. I have to get away. I can't handle this anymore. The memories or the emotions that are swirling, eddying inside me until I'm dizzy with confusion. And envy. I go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley and I see couples holding hands, whispering, enjoying each other. And I envy them. They have the one thing I want more than anything, and I am jealous. I leave for Hermione's soon, so I better get ready. I'll take an overnight bag just in case as I don't believe I'll return this evening.

Draco looked away from the entry, knowing it for what it is. Harry's innermost thoughts, feelings. Needs. Even the thought that his best friend had fancied him at one time could not diminish the aching loneliness and despair he felt from Harry's writings. He could see things so much clearer now, clearer even then before, when he knew Harry was in love with Severus. Now he understood. But he could do nothing with this new found knowledge. Harry trusted him, and he would not betray that trust. If only he could get Harry to say that to Severus. Or at least have Severus overhear Harry saying it. A plan began to form and a wicked smile spread across his face.

~tbc~

Thanks to all of my reviewers! Please keep them coming!

ataraxis ~lol Thanks hun! I hope to have headway made into Pendant soon. But for now I have my Desires. *snickers*

fyresdestiny ~ Continued… not necessarily soon, tho. Sorry 'bout that. Of course he can't see what's in front of him. That wouldn't make for a very good story! And goodness knows I love to torture our Sevvie. lol

Hayley ~ Thank you!

Corgi1 ~ Thank you dear! Always a pleasure to have you read.

ResQgal ~ Oh yes. But I wonder if they make it to the start of term. Hmmm…. *winks*

SeparatriX ~ What? Talk to each other? Of COURSE they don't! What do you think they are; female? lol Thanks.

Kateri1 ~ Thanks. I thought so.

Kears ~ *gives in to the puppy eyes* Here ya go. *grins* Sorry.

ciceronian ~ I thought it would be. Glad you like that.

Iced Flame ~ thanks!

Mikee ~ Thank you. You are, tho I hate to admit it so publicly, one of my most favorite reviewers. You always manage to give constrictive reviews, be they criticism or praise. And you follow all your stories so faithfully. I haven't managed to do so, not with reviews at least. I still read them, but am usually too rushed to leave a proper review. I will strive to be more like you in that department, tho. Thanks.

selua ~ You have to wait a bit longer for that. Sorry. Thanks for the praise, tho. J

sev1970 ~ You'll have to wait a bit as well. I needed to do this first. Then we'll see what happens, neh? Glad you like.

Elehyn ~ You have my heartfelt thanks.

penny ~ lol Indeed they should! Perhaps I'll do a cookie of a what-if scenario on that?

Emerald 94 ~ Thank you.

Andromeda Snape-Malfoy ~ Thank you. I try to keep them as close as possible given the situations I place them into.

gizachick ~ It may take a while, but both this one and Pendant will be completed. Thank you.

Awen ~ Thanks! Here's more!

severusdraco ~ Oh yes. IF he's cured, that will be fun. ;)

crazy-lil-nae-nae ~ Thanks! I intend to.