I find myself wrong again

Staring out my window

Wonder what it is I should've said

The trouble between me and you is nothing new

Not Goodbye...

Some things go together perfectly, a good book on a rainy day, friends and food, cookies and milk... Occlumency and me don't go together so well. It's hard trying to empty your mind when you have a million and one things running through your head. But did Snape understand that, no, not that it was surprising. The man might be a little, and when I say little I mean infinitesimal, nice but he's still a hard arse on me and pushes me to the point where I want to scream at him and I just might one day. Thankfully we only study occlumency three times a week, the other two days Snape teaches me spells, hexes, and curses. You wouldn't be learning this in Hogwarts. And I would never, ever admit this out loud but Snape...is a...good...teacher. There I said it and I would never admit it again, even to my own mind!

At the moment Snape was teaching me a proper wizarding duel but I kept going on the defensive, which he didn't want me to do. Snape wanted me to disarm him but how could I when he kept making me dodge.

"Get out of that corner Potter." He snapped at me while sending yet another hex at me, I had no room to dodge so instead I threw up a shield. I sent a curse his way and ducked out of the corner but got hit on the shoulder by a stray curse.

The good thing about our duels were that if a spell did by chance hit either of us we wouldn't get the effects but only a mild pinch feeling. Not harming but still very annoying. It was also singled the end of this duel.

"Potter if you're going to waste my time, please tell me now." Snape said putting his wand in his pocket.

"What do you mean...sir?"

"I mean if you're not going to take this seriously then why waste our time? Clearly you don't give a damn about learning what I have to teach you." The potion's professor said.

I was irritated and tired I didn't need this from him, not now. "I'm sorry if not I'm grasping everything as fast as you would like but I am trying." I all but snapped.

"You have to do better then trying Potter, you have to be the dark lord's equal if not better! You're not going to defeat him by trying." Snape said mercilessly.

"I didn't ask for this!"

"But it's you that has to defeat him so deal with it!" I glared at him not caring that it was Snape or that he was my professor, at the moment all I wanted to do was hex him. "You Potter and only you can defeat him."

"You're a bastard you know that, an unsympathetic, right bastard." I said and Snape narrowed his eyes at me, so maybe I had crossed the line but what's the worst he could do... He couldn't take points or give me detention since we weren't in school.

"And you're weak." Oh now it was my turn to narrow my eyes. I hated being called weak...

"I'm not weak." I told him through gritted teeth.

"You are, if you can't even defeat me then what do you expect to accomplish with the dark lord?"

As the two of us stared each other down I wondered if it were possible for a Potter and a Snape to actually get along. I mean Snape and my father couldn't stand each other and I understood why but was that any reason to take it out on the offspring, when said offspring did nothing to deserve such treatment? But then again maybe this was his way of training me, by pushing me to get angry enough to make me want to blast him clear across the room... Oh yeah that would blow over well with Dumbledore.

Finally I sighed defeated and turned my gaze to the floor. "I am trying." Snape conceded as well and nodded.

He raised his wand. "Again?" I nodded and we both bowed quickly before another mock-duel started.

I trotted up the stairs to where I shared a room with Ron and collapsed, gratefully into my bed. I was about to fall into a nice slumber when the door opened with a loud noise.

"Hey Harry how did lessons go with Snape?" Ron asked as he all but jumped on the edge of my bed. I groaned and turned my face into the pillow.

"It was atrocious now go away and let me sleep a little." It came out a bit muffled since I still had yet to remove my face from the pillow.

Ron clicked his tongue. "Well that's too bad... But mum wants to see you."

"Can you tell her that I'm sleeping?" I said hoping against hope that Ron would say ok... But do my wishes ever come true?

"Sorry mate no can do, you know mum's word is law so get your lazy butt up and come down stairs before she sends the twins up here."

"I am not lazy!" I said indignantly.

"Of course you're not mate who said you were?" Ron smiled innocently.

"You just did you dolt." But I still walked downstairs with him wondering what was so important that it couldn't wait till later. Silently we entered the living room where I guess Ron's mum wanted to talk to me and...

"HAPPY BIRHTDAY HARRY!" Yelled several people at me and I took a step back stunned momentarily. Then came the laughter from all of them, Sirius, Remus, all the Weasleys expect Percy and Bill (he was away), even Hermione was there to my surprise.

"Happy birthday kiddo, you're finally a man." Sirius said well, trying to say it seriously as he picked me up in hug.

"Yeah he might be a man but he's still a midget!" Ron laughed beside me.

"Shut-up Ron."

"Boys behave now grab a plate and serve yourselves." Mrs. Weasley handing out the plates and we moved forward to grab one as I greeted everyone there.

I was surprised by the party, honestly I had forgotten it was my birthday since the Dursleys never made a big production out of it and I had learned to deal with it but for the first time I was around people who truly cared enough to do something special for me, it was a nice feeling. The food was excellent and I chatted with Hermione and Ron about meaningless topics, the mood was light and I liked it.

"Time to open presents!" Fred said and everyone turned to a table where there were several different gifts all wrapped up.

Maybe it was because I wasn't use to this type of attention but I was actually embarrassed to open all of the gifts in front of them, it like bragging something I had never quit picked up but nonetheless I moved to the table and randomly picked up one of the presents.

"Oh that's one from me." Hermione spoke up taking a sip out of her cup.

I opened more gifts and show them all off and was about to pick up the twins present when Snape entered the room. Now Snape never had a smile on his face, a smirk yes but a true smile never and this time wasn't any different yet I knew something was bothering him. Why else who he be here at my party, hours after our last practice session. My wonderment was put to rest when Snape ignoring everyone else asked me to speak in private. I nodded and after excusing ourselves went into the kitchen. I waited silently for the potion's master to speak, I didn't wait for long.

"Where is he Potter?" Snape asked.

"Where's who?" I honestly didn't know whom he was speaking of but I could tell in his eyes that he didn't believe me.

"You know who! Now stop protecting him and tell me where he is!"

"Maybe if you would stop yelling and tell me who are we talking about I could help you!"

"Draco, of course you idiot boy!"

All the irritation that I had felt seconds ago had seeped out of me with that simple, insulting sentence. Draco was missing? Was he ok? Did he get kidnapped or run away? How long had he'd been missing? Too many thoughts were running through my mind but one thought kept reoccurring, Draco was missing.

"Where is he Potter?" Snape's sharp voice cut through my thinking process.

I felt numb and found myself shaking my head. "I don't know sir."

"Potter-"

"Honestly I don't know where he is, he hasn't contacted me or anything." I said sitting down at one of the chairs by the kitchen table. My throat felt dry, clearing it I asked him. "When did he go missing?"

Snape was silent staring at me before answering. "About a week ago, he's father asked me if he had been staying with me, money was taken out of his account and clothes were gone from his clothes so he assumed he was with me. To say in the least he was surprise to find out that he wasn't."

I nodded still feeling numb. "So Draco left on his own, not kidnapped?"

"It would seem that way Potter."

Snape left and I returned to the party but my heart wasn't in it anymore. My thoughts kept straying to Draco and everyone could see that I was distracted, an hour later we called it a night. Making my way up to my room with Ron, I felt bad for killing the mood but I couldn't even fake happiness when all I could think about was something bad happening to Draco.

"Harry you got a letter from someone." Ron said as we entered our room and to both our surprise found a letter with my name on the front and a small package next to it on my bed.

I picked up the letter first and somehow I knew it was from Draco, opening it only confirmed it. Slowly I read it as Ron got ready for bed.

Harry,

Who knew writing a letter could be so difficult... But then again nothing is very simple with the both of us is it Harry? I didn't even know how to start this, how do you start a letter to a person that has been your rival for five years and lover for one? Dear Harry how's your summer going? For once I wish we could just be simple and normal, writing letters should be a normal thing but not with you and me. I'm almost sure that by now you know I'm not living at home, I couldn't do it anymore but I know my father and I know that he'll kill me if I refuse the dark lord and if he doesn't we both know that you-know-who doesn't exactly take no for an answer, so instead of telling anyone anything I quietly disappeared and no Harry I'm not telling you where I am. And truthfully I don't even know why I'm even writing this to you, I guess we can't fool ourselves anymore. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about it either, you know damn well that our emotions changed throughout this year. Should I lie to you and tell you that when I first kissed you on the train that I liked you when we both know that would be an out-right lie. We didn't like each other in the beginning and were both using each other for our own selfish satisfaction. But somewhere through the course of our, can we even call it a 'relationship', something changed and something we both didn't expect happened. At least for me... But I just know for you as well, I saw it in your eyes every time you snuck glances at me when you thought I wasn't looking or when we last kissed... How long ago was it? I won't lie and say that I don't miss you because I do, I really do Harry. But I won't be with someone who doesn't want to be with me, and for whatever reason you don't want us to be together... If you ever change your mind, I'll find you, promise.

With Love,

Draco

I didn't know how long I stared at the letter, re-reading the words over and over again, it wasn't till Ron spoke up from his bed that I was shaken out of my thoughts. I looked over to him to find him looking back at me concernedly.

"You ok mate?"

"Y-yeah I'm fine."

"Who was the letter from?"

Knowing that I couldn't lie to Ron I said. "Draco." His eyes widen slightly but other then that he remained quiet, I was thankful that he didn't ask to see the letter. It was something I wanted to keep private, just between Draco and me.

"Oh." The redhead said after awhile and I nodded in total agreement before I stared down at the letter again.

'Does Draco love me?'

And chapter 22 is done! YES! And you know what I'm gonna go outside and scream until the cops come! Ok so I really won't but I must say I am really happy to be done with this chapter... The letter from Draco was giving me such a hard time that I was considering just writing "Draco's letter to Harry, come up with your own damn letter because I can't think of anything!" But I did and I hope you guys like it... You must tell me or I will cry... Don't believe me :eyes watering:

So Happy Valentines Day to everyone, actually it's 11:41PM and not Feb 14 but it will be soon enough.

Next update :Starts laughing hysterically: I'm sorry but I really don't know... See I'm gonna work on my other more neglected story, i.e Moulin Rouge and Love Forbidden. Oh and this new one-shot for a friend... But the pairing is (Cover your ears for you hard-core slashers) it's Draco/Hermione... I KNOW! DRACO -N- HARRY FOREVER! But it's for a friend, what can I do!

On that note everyone go see HITCH, it was a great movie, funny and serious at the same time!

Thank yous:

Didge- And you make my day by reviewing! Thanks so much for the kind words; it makes it all the better to write knowing you get reviews like yours. Hope you like this one! Oh and sadly this story is heading for the conclusion, I don't know exactly when but pretty soon!

Skyla Gerdes- My story is refreshing... Cool and thanks! Hope you keep on reviewing and liking my story.

Rumana- Hey babe how was your weekend? We finally read all of the FAKE books and you I wish the series had been longer... I miss Ryo and Dee but at least they finally slept together ;0) So did you like this chapter? And it was longer then the last one!

Nichole08-Has the new video comes out yet? I haven't seen on Mtv or Fuse. But anyways the boys will get together... Eventually.

Ahja Reyn-Aw you sure know how to make a girl blush... Thank you lovely for the review and I hope you liked this one!

lisa-THANKS!

xxBabySparklesxx- And I love you for loving!

SeditiousMaverick- Baby you really need to decide on a s/n, this is confusing as hell! But anyways I'm not planning on killing Draco so stop worrying your pretty little head over it! Now Harry I can't make any promises... :smirks:. Happy you liked the chappy though!

Awed a.k.a Sliver Emerald Eyes- Hey lovely! Don't worry about me not finishing this. It's never going to happen god willing. I made a promise to myself when I started writing that I was going to finish every story I started because I hate it when you're reading a really good story and then all of sudden the writer stops writing it. So no worries and breathe babe. My mum knows that I read and write slash... She thinks it's a bit odd but doesn't really care, so does my brother but only a handful of my friends know that I write or read slash, much less Harry Potter slash, so I can relate... It's like a guilty pleasure. Anyways it's 12:14 and I should sleeping getting ready for bed but instead I'm thanking all of my reviewers so that I can't finally post this chapter... But hey as long as I get up on time it doesn't matter and don't worry about your looks hon', you'll grow into them eventually. I know early teenage years are the worst but it gets better! You know it's your lucky day SAW comes out this Tuesday, I say you rent it this weekend and have a go at it... Come on where's your sense of adventure? It really wasn't that scary you just jumped at certain parts. Go see SAW and while we're on the subject of movies, Hitch was really good too! And it's not a scary movie! And I never saw Catwomen, never caught my eye even though I like Halle Berry. I can write fluff but I tend not to, only when you absolutely need it in the story do I write and I hardly ever read it either. I like drama, it's what I read and write and I like romance but not the "I love you, will you marry me and I have my kids?" type, there has to be a plot... Sorry I'm ranting. Nope, no sequel, it'll kill this story, trust me I know. So in this story all the loose ends will be tighten and you'll get your happy ending and I start more stories... Already have three in the works! And you'll be happy to know that I'll be updating Moulin Rouge next, after I re-write it because I don't like so far. But soon I promise! I'm happy you like the chapter, and I know Draco should come out and say what he's really feeling but most people don't really come out and say what their feeling do they? And like everyone else Draco doesn't want to be rejected for like the millionth time by Harry but soon certain events will force both boys to admit their feelings to each other and everyone else... Be patient. Oh and I'm sorry I confused you... Technically you could call this an AU since Sirius is alive and the events that took place in OOTP never took place in my story and I never posted anything of the sort so stop calling yourself stupid cause you're not! Sorry if I confused you though. So did you like this chapter? Hope you did! You wouldn't believe how hard it was writing the letter was... But anyways tell me what you thought in your review, which I am impatiently waiting for! Got to go bye babe! Happy Valentines Day!

KuroShiro Usagi- So what did you think of Snape in this one?

TheSecretCharacter- One of the sweetest reviews I've ever gotten. I love how you worded everything! And you'll find all your answers soon enough! Thanks for much for the review, hope I didn't disappoint in this one!

Katina-Aw I'm so happy I made your day! Thanks for liking the story!

Shola- Good luck on your exams... Have you taken them yet? Anyways thanks for the review! Did you like this chapter?

Driven to Insanity-What kind of ideas...?

zoomaphonethepirate-Yeah that would have been odd... But sadly I don't know when we'll see Draco next... Maybe soon... Hm we'll just have to see.

There I'm done and now I have to go to bed, it'officially Feb. 14 so HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO EVERYONE!

I'm out!