Title: A Torturous Reminder
Chapter 21: What was Never Meant to be
Rating: M
Warnings: H/D SLASH, HBP SPOILERS
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Harry Potter! Characters (except those created by us) belong to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling, WB, and the publishing companies. Don't sue us! We are just bored teenagers having a go at poor Harry and Draco!
"Bind him! We cannot have him escape!"
"Get …get him now!"
"But-,"
"Deaths?"
"Two dead…"
"We cannot have this…."
"Listen, get Wheeler... he needs to examine this."
"Sir! I found more bodies!"
"Are they alright?"
"I…I don't know…"
Two figures came closer to where Harry and Draco were, obscuring the small amount of light that was being emitted from some wands behind them.
"It's Mr. Potter and young Mr. Malfoy!"
More hurried whispers emerged from that statement, and Harry felt two hands checking him for a pulse, no doubt.
Harry's head hurt and he groaned, trying to shun aside the loud noises that were making his head throb painfully.
"He's alive," said a relieved voice, and Harry felt the hands leave him.
"Draco Malfoy…?"
Harry's mind registered the name, and he tried to move his hand but it wouldn't move. He knew Draco was right next to him, was he all right!
"I can't find a pulse…" said a voice from Harry's right.
'No, no, no' thought Harry frantically, 'no! He can't be dead! Draco, don't do this to me…Draco, wake up…Draco, we can be happy…Draco, I love you…Draco, damn it, bastard wake up,' Harry wanted to scream but all that came out was a low moan. He tried desperately to move his arms; he had to help Draco, he had to make sure he was all right, but he couldn't. He was useless and couldn't even move his fingers. He knew his eyes were filling up with hot, burning tears - he couldn't help it. Draco was gone, gone from him forever. He wouldn't see the smile that drove him insane…he wouldn't run his fingers through the silky hair he loved…he wouldn't kiss him and tell him he loved him again.
"Mr. Potter, calm down…it's going to be fine…"
"He's shaking."
"Get both of them out of here."
Harry closed his eyes, he wanted to die. Death should just take him away… then he could join Draco and everything would be fine.
He felt two hands grab him and, as he felt the apparition, he fainted.
Next day, Evening
Harry opened his eyes, and closed them immediately when the lights hit them. Where was he? What had happened? He opened his eyes very slowly and was met with a white ceiling. Brows furrowed, he looked around and figured he was in some hospital wing. Hospital?
"Mr. Potter?"
Harry immediately sat up. Yes, of course he was in the hospital….Draco…Lucius.
"Draco?" he said hoarsely, but then he remembered those words - those hateful, cruel words that had ripped his soul apart.
"I can't find a pulse…"
He looked over to the man in front of him, "No…no…tell me it isn't true," he whispered.
Mr. Bradford looked at Harry, his green eyes wielding a wild, manic look.
"Tell me it isn't true!" yelled Harry, starting to shake uncontrollably.
"Harry, calm down…its ok! We did what we could…"
"No! It's not OK!" screamed Harry, getting the attention of everyone in the wing. "How can it be OK? How the fuck can it be OK when the man I love is dead?" Harry noticed his glasses next to him and put them on and, noticing his wand, took that also and got out of the bed.
"I am going to kill them! I am going to kill them…I am going to kill…" said Harry, his voice barely audible. He gave a few steps towards the door and his knees gave away. He dropped to the floor, and brought his knees to his face.
"No… no no no…" he whispered, rocking back and forth. All the pain coming to him in waves, all the anger and hatred, and all the love. Gone.
He felt a hand touch his shoulder, "Go away!" he snarled.
"Harry…Draco is alive."
Harry looked up to Mr. Bradford, his eyes flashing. "Don't fuck with me, not now."
"Harry, he's alive. He's right across the hall…"
Harry immediately stood up, and Mr. Bradford felt his throat constrict as he saw Harry's eyes filled with pain and hope. 'Hope that's soon to be dashed away,' thought Mr. Bradford sadly.
"Harry, wait… don't go in yet," said Mr. Bradford as he noticed Harry starting to run to where Draco was. He ignored Mr. Bradford, and all Mr. Bradford could do was sigh and close his eyes in defeat.
Harry opened the door to Draco's room and gave a loud sob. Draco was there, he was alive.
He ran to his bedside, and gently took Draco's hand, feeling it to make sure Draco was really there. He took in the sight of his boyfriend lying peacefully in the bed. His white-blond hair glinting in the light from the lamp next to him.
"You're alive…oh god, Draco, you fucking scared me! I thought I was never going to see you again…" whispered Harry.
"But you're stubborn, right? You won't leave me," said Harry laughing slightly, "and I'm glad for that."
He placed his hands on Draco's cheeks and caressed them slightly; he leaned down and kissed his boyfriend lightly on the mouth, not noticing the tears running from his eyes.
"I love you, Draco. I can't live without you…when I thought you were dead, I wanted to go with you too. I thought…that I would never see you when I woke up every day. I thought I would never hear your voice, whether telling me you love me or telling me I'm stupid," said Harry with a slight smile.
Harry couldn't stop smiling - everything was going to be fine. He just knew it. The tears continued running down his face.
"If you could see me now, Draco, you would probably slap me and tell me to stop being such a sissy," he said, his smile growing wider.
He wiped the tears of his face, and sighed deeply. He got a chair and placed it next to Draco's bed and took Draco's hand in his once again, murmuring good night to Draco and falling asleep beside him, Draco's hand in his.
Harry woke up, the sunlight hitting him directly.
His eyes fell on Draco and, noticing he was still sleeping, he stood up from his chair. His muscles were aching and he felt stiff from being in the same position the whole night. He was about to go to the restroom when Draco opened his grey eyes.
"Draco!" exclaimed Harry, "Oh Draco, you woke up!" he said, hugging Draco tightly to him.
"Yes…"
"Do you feel fine? Does it hurt anywhere?" said Harry anxiously, his eyes filled with both concern and happiness.
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking," said Draco, shifting slightly.
"I take it you're the counselor?" he asked Harry, turning to look at him.
"Counselor?" said Harry blankly.
"Well, considering my circumstances, the bloody hospital would probably want some counselor for me to talk to," Draco said rolling his eyes.
Harry stared at Draco, "Draco don't shit with me,"
"Excuse me?" said Draco raising an eyebrow.
"I…" said Harry, feeling very confused at what was going on.
"I didn't get your name, and if you're here to talk to me, then I must know your name. What is it?"
Harry's smile fell from his face as he looked at Draco, his eyes widening.
"You don't know who I am?" he whispered.
"Am I supposed to?" drawled Draco.
Harry backed away slowly from Draco's bed. No… something was wrong. It was just temporary…. Draco had been really ill. A side effect it probably was. Nevertheless, he started to feel panic rising in him.
"Are you OK?" asked Draco, his grey eyes meeting the emerald that looked at him in bewilderment and pain. Was he causing this pain? He felt odd, not wanting to cause those bright green eyes that had looked at him when he woke up, pain. But it was absurd, how could he think that about someone he didn't know?
"Harry, may I speak with you?" said Mr. Bradford coming into the room.
"Yes," said Harry shakily, giving Draco one last look and following Mr. Bradford out the door.
Harry followed Mr. Bradford wordlessly, his heart thumping in his chest wildly, into an office.
"Harry, sit down please," said Mr. Bradford kindly.
Harry sat down and forced himself to look at Mr. Bradford, "What's wrong with Draco, why doesn't he know who I am?"
"Hold on a sec," said Mr. Bradford, taking a phone out and dialing a number.
"Yes, right now…yes, thank you," said Mr. Bradford, before closing his phone and looking at Harry.
"Healer Davis will be here shortly, she will explain to you what has occurred. We were going to tell you yesterday, but seeing as you ran off and seemed… a bit unstable… we decided to let you rest."
Harry nodded numbly, missing most of what was said, and turning around when he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in."
A petite middle age woman walked into the room. She gave Harry and Mr. Bradford a slight smile and sat next to Harry.
"Mrs. Davis, Harry needs to know why Draco is in this state."
Healer Davis cleared her throat and turned to Harry. "Well, at first we thought that you knew what had happened to Draco. We thought you had been with him when it had occurred but given your reaction yesterday evening, we realized that wasn't the case."
She took a deep breath and continued. "It appears that Lucius used a spell that erased you from Draco's memory."
Harry turned cold and his breath caught in his throat - it couldn't be true. No, there had to be a counter curse for it… it would be OK.
"We have tried to undo the spell, but it appears that it's permanent," said Mrs. Davis, almost as if reading Harry's mind. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter."
Mr. Bradford expected Harry to yell, to yell and blame him for sending Draco into that mission, but nothing came. Harry sat in silence, looking stoically at the wall.
Harry felt empty. It was truly over, that was it. Nothing could be done, nothing…. He felt emotionless, as if life had left him. It probably had - his life had gone along with Draco's the moment he realized Draco would never know who he was.
"Harry, I suggest you go to your apartment. Get some sleep, come back to the office tomorrow and we will talk," he said kindly. "By the way, Lucius' trial is set for next week… if you want to attend."
Harry turned his gaze towards Mr. Bradford and looked at him with dull, lifeless eyes. He gave one nod and got up from his chair, moving mechanically toward the door and out into the hall.
Mr. Bradford and Mrs. Davis sat in silence, both trying to understand what Harry must be going through and wondering whether it had been wise to send Harry away. Both had never seen eyes in that state.
Harry walked down the hallway, faces stared at him, people talked to him, but he ignored everyone and kept on walking. He turned his eyes to a door that was open and stopped.
Grey eyes looked back at him, and Harry held his gaze for a few seconds before continuing to walk down the hall, a lone tear falling down his cheek.
Harry reached his apartment number, after mumbling his address to the cab driver who had asked him if he was ok, but whom Harry had ignored. He did not want to talk to anyone at the moment and was ready to snap at the next person to come up to him, offering their sympathy. They weren't going through what he was going through, they didn't understand a fucking thing about the situation that had just occurred, and he wasn't about to let someone, especially a cab driver, know. He stepped into his room, casting a sideways glance at Alex's room across the hall before closing the door.
Alex had saved him…. Sure, he had been an obsessive guy, but nonetheless, he had at least been able to die a… valiant death. Harry took out the ring he still had and looked at it, then stuck it into a pocket in his suitcase. Alex would be remembered, at least, for his bravery. He deserved that much. Yes, he had caused them pain, and yes, he was involved with the situation now at hand, but the true person to blame was Lucius. It wasn't his fault that Draco had forgotten him.
Draco…. Harry sprawled onto his bed and looked up at the ceiling, not one bone willing to move from that spot. His whole body felt weak, still was weak from the battle, and was slowly falling apart because of Draco. How could it have happened! What did Lucius do to Draco to make him forget only him! Their whole relationship… it had only been a few weeks, sure, but they had known each other before then. They had grown up together and had both harnessed some sort of feeling towards each other that had helped fuel their love. They had a past that was now erased, that had pushed them towards each other.
'And I had actually… loved him...' thought Harry as tears welled up in his eyes. He pushed the heavy feeling he had in his chest down, a feeling that slowly began to suffocate him as he tried to repress it. He felt a notch in his throat as he thought about Draco and the unknown gaze he had given Harry. He began growing devastated at the thought that Draco did not remember anything that had happened between them. The days it had actually taken him to admit to Draco that he felt some sort of attraction towards him. Their most intimate moments, their conversations. They were all gone.
Draco was gone. The Draco he had known was gone now. Sure, there was still a Draco and those grey eyes could probably reel him in again. He wanted to be with Draco. But he couldn't. Not this Draco. There had been something about the other Draco, the Draco he had always known, the old rival and now lover that he had become, that had its own charm to it. This Draco would only bring him pain, would only make him more miserable.
'Maybe it's better this way,' Harry thought, regret starting to settle in as the tears now began to pour out for the love that was now lost. 'Maybe now… Draco won't be in any more trouble. Draco will be able to start anew, without me. He can go back to being the way he was. After all, all I did was give the death eaters a reason to hurt Draco, gave Alex a reason to betray and join the death eaters for good, and gave Lucius a reason to disown and torture his own son. And now Lucius is out of the way, and Draco can go on to live life how he wants, free of fear. If he stayed with me, it would only mean a constant battle between good and evil. He would be my weakness and they would go after him. He might not be so lucky…'
'As long as he's alive, that's all that matters,' thought Harry silently, the tears continuing to roll down his cheeks as memories of what had occurred between them and what would never be showed themselves behind closed eyes.
Harry entered the office the next morning, looking absolutely horrible to passerby's, but at least a bit more composed. Mr. Bradford gave him silent appraisal at the composure he was able to have, especially since Draco was sitting in the very same room.
"I'd like to begin by congratulating the two aurors that were able to stop the death eaters and help us capture one of the most wanted men in the wizarding community. Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, would you please stand up," Mr. Bradford said, motioning for the two to stand.
Harry stood up, his shoulders slumped and his eyes void and staring at the ground, before sitting back down. Draco stood up and looked around the room, flashing the room a smile and giving the disheveled man before him a confused gaze before returning to his seat.
"Lucius Malfoy's trial is set in two days from now. They apparently had an opening and they were willing to work it into the schedule. It is probable that he will be given the dementor's kiss, although we are not entirely sure. They have also asked that you, Draco Malfoy, and you, Harry Potter, be present. It is not required, but it is for the better if you were to show yourselves to give testimony of what occurred. The trial will begin at 10 a.m., so please be prompt. I will also be there, along with the other aurors who helped in capturing Lucius… yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Err…, I have a question, sir," Harry said, his voice breaking as he tried to ignore the silver eyes that were obviously turned on him. His curiosity was dying to know what had happened, though. "How exactly did you manage to find us?"
"I… well," Mr. Bradford said, trying to organize his thoughts. "We went back to the hotel we had provided for you two days ago… well, three… and we found you gone. We found the note and immediately derived where you had gone, so I had aurors searching the area and others working on any type of magic that had been worked in that area. We weren't able to come up with anything, but a few aurors who had gone on a mission in California and who were using the same house we had provided for you, upon hearing the news, came back with some interesting information. Apparently, it seems, you had placed a tracking spell on Draco here and had not removed it yet.
"We worked for hours after that, trying to figure out what spell it had been that you had used and finally, we found the answer. Upon discovering it, we were given the location of where you two were, except we were confused. When we apparated there, there was nothing. No buildings, no houses, nothing for miles around. And the tracking device indicated that Draco was there. At first we thought that maybe the house was hidden, and so we began working spells and trying to see where you were, but we found nothing. Then we saw what appeared to be someone coming up from underground. We immediately took him over and, lucky for us, it was a death eater who had been about to come up to check what all the commotion was about, expecting to find muggles but instead finding us. He gave us the password willingly and we got in, fought a few more death eaters, and finally made our way to you two.
"Let's just say we were lucky we got there when we did, or else you wouldn't be with us here today, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Malfoy would probably be gone as well," Mr. Bradford said.
Harry nodded at the explanation that had been provided for him and stood up. "I guess I'll be back in two days," he said, not looking at anyone in particular and leaving.
Draco looked at him and felt an emotion stir inside him, but he couldn't recognize it. Obviously, this man was hurt because he couldn't recognize him, but who was he… who had he been?
"Mr. Potter, a word with you before you leave, please," Mr. Bradford said. Harry stopped in his tracks and gave a small nod in acknowledgement, before stepping out and walking towards Mr. Bradford's office. "The rest of you are dismissed," he said and, after gathering a few papers, left towards his own office.
Harry sat in a chair, his eyes closed and waiting for Mr. Bradford, though he guessed at what was coming. He sat up straighter and turned to the door once Mr. Bradford entered.
Mr. Bradford walked over to his desk and put down the papers he was carrying. He sat down and looked over at Harry. 'He's feeling worse than he lets on,' Mr. Bradford thought as he surveyed Harry before clearing his throat. "I called you here to ask you about Mr. Malfoy. I wanted to know if you… if you want us to tell him what happened?"
Harry shook his head for a while before finally speaking. "No," he said, his voice hoarse and his eyes cast down. Hair fell down his forehead, covering and darkening his eyes from view. "No," he said once again, a bit stronger.
"We thought it would be best left up to you," Mr. Bradford explained, "seeing as they were your memories that were erased. And only yours. We still have to wonder over how Lucius was able to conjure a spell like that, no doubt Alex helped him. Unfortunately, there is no spell to retrieve that information that has been lost. We can only hope that it was weak and that time will be able to bring it back."
Harry looked up at him. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice curious.
"Well… his memory of you hasn't been erased. If it had been, there would be no hope, really. What has happened instead is that any recollection of you has been… clouded over. It's been smothered and hidden. There is the possibility that over time, the spell will slowly disintegrate and small moments will come back to Draco until it all reappears."
"And how long would that take?" asked Harry, his hopes slowly rising.
"We're not sure. If it does happen, it would take a long time. And we're not even sure it will happen," Mr. Bradford said, averting his eyes from Harry's that were now settled on his.
Harry remained silent and began gazing off. "Is that all then?" he asked at last in a low tone.
Mr. Bradford nodded and Harry stood up. "Mr. Potter… you can still go to him. Feelings do not disappear as quickly as you think them to, and it is possible that Mr. Malfoy may have a strong connection to you."
Harry shook his head rather wildly, his hands clenched in fists. "No, I couldn't…"
"But, it's only hurting you…"
"I said no!"
"Mr. Potter, think about it. You obviously love Mr. Malfoy, why are you letting him go like that? You two can still be together."
"It wouldn't be the same…"
"No, it wouldn't. But shouldn't the thought of being together be enough."
"It wouldn't… be… the same…" Harry said, his voice now obviously beginning to get edgy and breaking at the same time.
"Mr. Potter, calm down. I'm only asking you to consider it, seeing as it's tearing you apart, apparently."
"What the fuck do you know about feelings, Mr. Bradford. You've apparently never loved anyone! You can't just love someone and have it entirely wiped out and be willing to go back to that same love! It isn't the same! There's a past that's been made, there's a past that would need to be remade. It was the past that mattered, it was the past that had gotten us through what we went together. And either ways, Draco doesn't… he doesn't… deserve the life I would give him."
"Even if it meant love?"
"It wouldn't be love. At least, not right away. Like you said, it would be a connection, but not one immediately recognized as love. No, it's not going to happen."
"So you're planning on leaving Draco? I thought you loved him."
"I do! I fucking do! Damn it, can't you fucking get what I'm trying to say here! If I stay with Draco, I'll only hurt him. Maybe this was for the best… who knew what would have happened if we stayed together…" Harry said, apparently in tears. He opened the door and before Mr. Bradford could speak again had slammed it shut and was walking at a quick pace towards his apartment, unaware of the grey eyes that watched him.
"Sir, who was that?" asked Draco, stepping into Mr. Bradford's office. He looked in bewilderment at the mess that lay everywhere. A lamp had exploded, papers were everywhere, and several other trinkets had apparently broken.
"No one of importance, Draco," Mr. Bradford said.
"Sir… am I supposed to know him?" Draco asked quietly.
"Why would you ask that?" Mr. Bradford asked, his eyes raised as he looked at the oblivious man standing before him.
Draco shrugged. "It seemed like I should and, well, you said there was a curse placed on me, so I thought it may have triggered my memory or something, possibly… or done something else. You never did explain what it did," Draco said, looking at Mr. Bradford and hoping for answers.
"No, we never did. It wasn't of any concern seeing as… well, it isn't going to damage you, Draco," Mr. Bradford said.
Draco nodded and walked out, an unsettling feeling in his stomach, but nonetheless pushing it away.
The Day of the Trial
"Hello?" asked Draco, pushing open a door that seemed to be jarred with something. He pushed it open forcefully and it gave away. He stumbled in and looked around. The apartment barely looked lived in. There was no mess, there was absolutely nothing, come to think of it. 'Why had I been expecting a mess though? This guy might be a clean freak, for all I know,' Draco thought as he made his way over to what he thought was the bedroom. 'Apparently still asleep.'
He entered the bedroom and was met by the sound of a running shower. 'Well, apparently not.' He looked around the room, and once again, noticed it practically empty except for a bed that looked like it had at least been slept in, and a suitcase that stood beside it. He stepped out of the bedroom, and sat down on one of the couches, waiting for the man to finish his business and be ready.
About half an hour later he was met by startled green eyes and a sharp intake of breath, at which he couldn't help but smirk.
"What are you doing here?" Harry said at the sight of Draco sitting on his couch. He looked at Draco, confused and hope colliding in his mind.
"Came to pick you up on Mr. Bradford's orders. He thought you might be a little late, so he told me to come by early and make sure you were awake, showered, and ready for the trial," Draco said, looking up at the green eyes and feeling a sudden craving for the olive skin before him.
"Oh, ok," Harry said, his voice now devoid of any emotion and his eyes going down to the floor. He made his way over to the kitchen and grabbed some breakfast, eating quickly before returning back to the living room. "So are we going to go?"
Draco only nodded, still staring at the man in front of him, mesmerized by him. "Can I… can I ask your name?" asked Draco. "You never did tell me, back at the hospital." He knew they had said the name at the meeting the day before, but it had left his mind immediately after it was said.
"H-Harry Potter," Harry said, looking up at Draco. Draco only smiled complacently and let his eyes roam over Harry.
"Nice to meet you," Draco said, smiling a seducing smile. 'He's not all too bad now that he looks like he's had a bit of rest…' thought Draco, although he noticed that there was something in him that seemed out of place. They both made their way over to Draco's car and were soon on their way to the trial.
"Can I ask you… was there something between us?" asked Draco, half-hoping the answer was yes, though unsure why. He had never opened up to people this quickly, especially not strangers. Sure, he had spurred into relationships, but never opened to them.
Harry stared straight ahead for a while, before slowly turning. Draco cast him a quick glance and saw something in those eyes. A terrible pain and what appeared to be heartache in them. He turned around once again, but only saw them void this time, without anything of what had appeared before. Harry shook his head slowly, before turning back and looking out the window. "No," he said silently. "There was nothing between us."
Draco looked at him again, before nodding slowly. "Sorry. I was just wondering… you know, after that hug… and then you're shocked expression…"
"That was just… my mistake…" Harry said, casting him a quick, regretful look before turning away, unsure that he could hide his emotions any longer.
They drove on together in silence that seemed to grow and grow, and both men sighed in relief as they stepped out of the car.
"We have come to our final conclusion. Lucius Malfoy is indeed, guilty of all accusations that have been made, and many more that have not been filed. Therefore, we have sentenced him to, not life in Azkaban, but to the dementor's kiss, which will be administered at this very moment. Please, allow the dementor to come through."
A man nodded slowly and gulped before going back out the door and letting in a hooded figure. The room immediately turned cold and everyone in the room unconsciously shivered, some more than others. Their breaths turned ragged and harsh and several held their hands up over themselves, as in protection, but the dementor only had one person in sight. After lowering himself to the man, who had already lost his graceful self back some time ago, and taking away his soul, he got back up and, giving the room a long glance, finally left, a terrified man behind him.
"The trial is over," a voice said and two other wizards had moved forward and were removing Lucius's body from the floor. Mr. Bradford stood talking to Draco to the side, apparently wondering if he wanted the body, but Draco seemed to shake the head and cast a distasteful look at his father. Apparently, he could live without it.
Harry slumped in his chair. The sight of the dementor had sprung up old memories, and new ones in him that now shook him uncontrollably. He struggled to remain upright, even though the dementor was long gone, when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He shot up and looked at the arm, then at whom it belonged to, and found his breath hitch once again.
Draco stood over him, one arm extended and a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Mr. Bradford asked me to take you back home. Are you all right?" he asked, noticing Harry's shiver.
Harry only nodded and stood up, casting the room a small glance and then looking around for Mr. Bradford. "Hold on, I only have to tell Mr. Bradford something first," he said quietly, before removing himself from Draco's touch and walking over to Mr. Bradford.
Mr. Bradford, though, already seemed to know what was about to be said and only nodded sadly. "We'll miss you, and he'll miss you…" he said sadly. "He was already warming up to you, you know."
Harry shook his head, trying to control the feelings that were surging through him. He thought he had managed to place it all into different categories, managed to sort it all in the past two days, but apparently it was going to take more than that to get over what he was going to give up.
"No," Harry said, "it… wouldn't have been right…. I'm going back to London and well…, I'll take up my old life back… a few small changes, but hopefully it'll all turn out ok," Harry said, his eyes averted.
Mr. Bradford nodded. "I understand," he said and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Well… goodbye," he said, before turning and walking away.
Harry nodded and turned away himself, going outside to the blonde man that was already waiting for him outside. He got into the car and stayed quiet throughout the ride.
"Well, here you are," said Draco.
Harry nodded, though he didn't get out of the car. Instead, he shifted uncomfortably.
Draco looked at him oddly. "Is there… something you want to tell me?" asked Draco softly, unsure of what to do or say.
Harry shook his head, but stopped and looked down at his hands before turning to Draco. He looked into the grey eyes, apparently searching for something, but apparently didn't find it. He looked back down when he suddenly felt a hand lifting his face and soft lips grazing over his.
Harry stared with bright green eyes at the man in front of him when he was let go and two silver eyes met his.
"I'm sorry," Draco said, once he saw the expression on Harry's face and looked away, feeling ashamed.
"No," Harry said, "you shouldn't be." He forced a small smile and shakily got out of the car. "That was nice… it's just…, I can't."
Draco nodded, as if in understanding, though Harry could see he had hurt him. He saw the car drive off before entering his room for the last time.
"Just one more torturous reminder that I've added to my list…" he mumbled quietly as he stepped onto the airplane the next day, tears edging their way into his eyes.
A/N: Well… hmm… wow… Where to start… I don't think I went through all the right stages… there's denial, bargaining, acceptance… and two other steps in there. Oh well, but that's for death, though it applies, I'm sure. Hope it sounded… believable. Really hope it was good. Thank you all who have reviewed! We love you! Hopefully, there'll be reviews for this chapter too! So you know what that means, read and review, please… and well…. It's sad, that our heroes have to end it this way.
We have created a myspace account solely dedicated to… fanfiction (future fics, updates, randomness regarding HD…just been made though, we're working on it!) Well… not sure actually… but yeah. In case anyone's interested, or willing to add us to their list, the link is… or should be www dot myspace dot com/hado0607 just remove the dots and spaces in the beginning. Yeah. I hope it's ok to place the link here….( EDIT: apparently, it was not ok to put links in here…so I came back to fix it)
Another piece of information, No this is NOT the end. Our heroes deserve a nice ending, after all their hard trouble, so there are about… two chapters… maybe one to go, depending on how it's planned out. The ending is known and has been known for some time. So yeah… well, it's not too bad, ending it here, except its not very nicely ended… should they get together again… hmm… that IS the purpose of a Harry/Draco fic… although they were already together… but yeah. Update will be soon… I'm sure. Can't believe it's almost over!
And hope you all enjoyed reading it. Long Author's Note, I doubt there'll be one this long again… or who knows… but yes… hope it was enjoyable.