I'm sorry the chapter is so short, please people, keep in mind I am a busy girl ;) as school starts I will have less and less time, but even though I will update less, the chapters will be longer… so more to look forward to! I think this will be in between 20-25 chapters, but maybe more. And anyways… please… keep in mind: Reviews make me work more, and harder. So review! I appreciate so much, you have no idea  anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. OH, and also: To you H/D fans, yes, this IS a Harry and Draco fiction, but they will have bumps and such, like every relationship. Anything that happens with another person is apart of the plot of course… so you will of course have to stick around till the end to find out everything! ;)

Harry inhaled deeply and took a step forward, into the light of the great hall. Some students noticed, some didn't, and some didn't even seem to care. He looked around slowly, feeling awkward, before hearing a girl calling for him.

"Harry! Harry, over here!" Hermione waved excitedly, feeling slightly brave and not caring what the other Gryffindors said or did. A few gave her scandalized stares with jaws dropped, while most nodded in approval of her move. It occurred to Harry that at least half of the Gryffindors weren't opposed to his certain sexual preference, but since he had fallen from his 'high status' as the Gryffindor leader, they seemed to follow Ronald Weasley now, instead. Harry felt small relief in the realization, knowing he could at least store some faith in Gryffindors since they were known for their accepting and noble ways, but he was still ashamed they just found another leader to idolize.

Harry let a tiny smile grace his face as he shuffled his way towards the long table filled with different breakfast foods being eaten quickly. He let his gaze fall upon Ron, who was looking livid, withglowing ears and glaring eyes.

"Hermione, why the bloody hell did you call him over?" The redhead snapped angrily.

"Because I don't care if he happens to shag other boys; he's still my best friend. And he should still be yours, too, Ron." Hermione smiled warmly as Harry approached the table somewhat cautiously.

"Good morning, Harry."

"Hello, 'Mione. Can I…?" Harry made a gesture towards the area of the bench next to her, and she nodded excitedly, glad to be showing off Harry as her friend again.

"I didn't say you could sit here." Ron's voice was quiet as he kept his eyes on Harry, who had a blank expression on his face.

"And?"

"And anyone who doesn't have my permission can't sit here," he spat through gritted teeth, though his glare was turned to something behind Harry. Harry looked over his shoulder and was a bit surprised to see Draco approaching them rapidly, looking unpleased. He had been sitting by himself on the far end of the Slytherin table quietly, and this was the first time anyone had seen him show any emotion in the mornings since the news of him being gay spread through the school.

Hermione looked bitterly at him, but Ron didn't was deterred, he had grown used to her disappointed looks. Harry was just standing, slightly in shock, not really knowing what to say, and was quite thankful for his boyfriend's speedy arrival.

"What might be the problem?" Draco asked sharply, stopping right behind Harry and touching his lower back lightly.

"You, actually." Ron sneered, and Draco gave a look no less vicious back.

"You're just jealous, Weasley. Since your pathetic father can't bring home enough money to buy each of his children new things, you take it out on those better and above you. You know, in fact… I believe my father happened to tell me of some illegal things Mr. Weasley was seen doing. Yes, that's quite right… some things that would surely get him fired," Draco gave an evil smirk, loving the look of Ron's paled face and white knuckles. He knew it was wrong to threaten Ron, but he also knew it was quite true he could ask his father to say a few things, and within days nobody in that family would be employed.

"Draco…" Harry said softly, reaching behind him for his lovers hand. "Draco, love, lets go…" The look of Draco's face softened considerably, and he nodded, casting one little glance at Hermione. She was stunned and silent, looking as if she might cry in frustration. He gave a weak sympathetic smile, but followed Harry out of the Great Hall.

The whole Gryffindor table watched Ron with wide eyes, some fearing his next reactions. All he could manage to do was look up to where the Professors were sitting. The Potions Master was smirking down at him, while the rest of the teachers kept their eyes firmly on their food; knowing that Lucius Malfoy could easily have any of them fired as well. The only other who dared to look at Ronald Weasely was Professor Dumbledore, who wore a strange expression upon his wise and old face. It was a disappointed look, though at the same time a slightly understanding one; though not condoning or encouraging.

Outside of the Great Hall, Draco nearly yelled in frustration.

"Why won't he give it a rest!" Harry took a step closer, and smiled sadly.

"Because he's stubborn, and an arsehole." Draco looked down at Harry, placing a kiss lightly on his forehead. Harry nuzzled Draco's neck and sighed.

"Harry…" Draco murmured.

"Yes?"

"Meet me tonight, behind that great big tree by the lake. At Midnight, of course."

"All right." Harry looked up and pecked Draco on the cheek, turning to leave for his next class.

"Don't forget, Potter, or I may just have to punish you." Harry laughed loudly, causing Draco to scowl.

"Yes, love, of course."

Harry's classes were tedious and tiring. Normally they wouldn't bother him so, but he knew later that night he was to meet Draco, and that made him anxious. He wondered what they would do… lay in each other's arms and talk, or be somewhat awkward and distant? He hoped it wouldn't be the second, but the boys were still getting used to each other.

Throughout Potions class – which happened to be double – his mind wandered from the blonde boy, to a certain teacher standing not too far in front of him. Snape's voice was silky and somehow bitter at the same time, which managed to keep the students' attention at all times, but in awe as well. Harry watched him closely as he paced the classroom. Snape was attractive in every way possible…His hair was quite a striking shade of black, way too bright to be natural, yet definitely was; his eyes cold and hard; skin with a complexion close to that of snow, but healthy looking that the same time… if one truly studied him, they would have quite the difficulty pointing out any flaws.

Feeling Harry's eyes upon him, Snape's head snapped up and he ceased his pacing. He stared squarely at the boy, but after a moment his facial features became less tense, and a questioning look graced his face. Harry blushed a deep red, suddenly remembering how Snape had 'saved' him the other day, and how he had… had nuzzled the teachers neck, how he wrapped his arms around him tightly, as if not wanting to let go. He was sure Snape remembered as well, because soon after his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink and he quickly turned away. Harry was thankful no other students happened to notice their brief eye contact.

For the rest of class the memory kept surfacing in his mind, and once or twice he gave in and thought about it. Harry remembered Snape's soft, spicy scent, and how incredibly soft his skin was, but most of all he remembered just how gentle and carefully Snape handled him. And it seemed… just maybe… when Harry was drifting in and out of a conscious state, Snape had kissed his hair lightly. He could have imagined it, easily, but he could still feel a pair of lips pressing against his head.

When class had finally ended, Harry felt reluctant to leave. He looked over his shoulder as he shuffled slowly out of the dungeon classroom, trying to stall, but was quite embarrassed when Snape looked up and caught his eyes. Harry tried to hurry out the door, but students still blocked the pathway when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder.

"Potter, care to sit down for a moment?"

"Ac-actually, sir, I really better get going, my class is quite…a ways…" Harry trailed off as he stared into the darkest eyes he had come across in his life. It was almost as if they had no color, and it scared Harry to no end, but also intrigued him.

"Mr. Potter?" Snape questioned with a single eyebrow raised and a smirk grazed his face. Harry felt himself blush for the third time in the two-hour period, and felt even more embarrassed by the fact.

"Yes, Professor," Harry breathed out, lowering his gaze. Some how they had closed the distance without even noticing; Harry was leaning against a student table, while Snape towered over him, merely inches away.

"You shouldn't get embarrassed so easily, someone might notice and begin to wonder things." Snape's voice had no humor, but his eyes glimmered with amusement. "If I didn't know any better, Potter… I would wonder things." The distance between them was smaller, and Harry wasn't completely sure it was because of the teacher.

"I'm sorry, sir." His voice was quiet as ever as he looked upwards, the top of his head barely meeting Snape's shoulder. "…You wanted to speak with me…?"

"Oh, yes," Snape mumbled, feeling dizzy and not liking how weak he felt this close to Harry. Damn, he wasn't going soft in his old age, was he? "I just wanted to see if… everything healed properly… and you were all right."

"Yes, sir, thanks to you." Harry's eyes widened after he spoke the words, wanting to crawl into a dark corner somewhere. Snape gave him an odd look and chuckled lightly, and accidentally – or purposely – let his fingers graze Harry's own. Draco was the quite far from Harry's mind, millions of miles away; not even a mere shadow as Snape loomed over him in a comforting way. After a moment of silence, Snape looked down and spoke quietly.

"You should probably be going to your next class, Harry, no need to be l-,"

"It's lunch time next," Harry interrupted, unconsciously standing on the tip of his toes.

"Oh… yes…" Snape mumbled with his eyes set on Harry's perfect, youthful lips.

"Don't have to be… ready… for an hour or so…" The Gryffindor placed his palm on the back of Snape's neck, pulling down slightly, and instinctively the Potions Master brought his lips down upon Harry's, capturing him in a passionate and fierce kiss. An hour or so, alone, in a dungeon. Snape would have never been able to think of a better way to spend his lunchtime.