Disclaimer: blah-blah-blah, not mine. We all know that. Can't wait for HP 06!

Thank-you list: Jamie, Jade and Lildove, my beta readers and great friends! And to all of my reviewers, my deepest thank you: DemonRogue, starlollie, driven to insanity, ura-hd, malfoysnogger, Kuraii Koneko(your wish is my command! More shagging for you!), tsuyakk , r.mai, silver emerald eyes(a homage? THANKS!), Sephyreth Riddle , Viridiana (Hi. I'm not English either. Answering your question about Bill: He's also confused. He's torn between his love for Draco and for Jac. I guess he loves them both the same way, but he knows Draco loves Harry, so he just wants him to be happy. There'll be more about Bill in the future. He and Draco still need to have The Talk. And Bill and Harry will meet again. Thanks for reviewing!), Goldensong, Sakuraloveu(wow! Thanks! I would love to be a writer for real!), miss sheree, MuggleTendencies(aww! Thank you! A fictionalley reader! I sort of abandoned that site a little... Too troublesome to publish things... I'm glad you've found me again! I'm still writing, although not with the same frequency as before. I hope you stick around!), Mistal: The Poisoned One(you're one of my oldest reviewers! Thanks for not giving up on me!).

A/N and a WARNING: Sorry for the delay! This chapter contained NC-17 parts that were taken off. For a full version of it, see my BIO and join my yahoo group.

Chap. 33 – TOUCHING YOU

It wasn't easy for Draco to ask for some time off. Hagen's article had made quite a bad impression in his department. Most of his colleagues spent all of Monday throwing snide looks at him, talking behind his back, wondering when he'd turn into a big bad wolf. In the end, that was exactly what earned him the whole week off. His chief thought it would be best if Draco stayed away from all the fuss for a few of days or so. Hermione was horrified and she couldn't understand why Draco thought it would be so great to skip work for a whole week. He just smiled at her mysteriously and left her wondering exactly what was going on.

Snape's letter arrived on Monday night, and on Tuesday morning Draco and Harry were all set to take the train to Scotland. Harry's eyes glowed like a child's when he was informed that they would be taking The Hogwarts Express. The train had only a few passengers aboard, so it wasn't difficult to find an empty compartment. When the train left the station, Draco stretched happily and then leaned against his seat. When he was comfortable enough, he fell asleep almost immediately. It didn't take long for his head to slide to the side and land on Harry's shoulder.

Harry smiled at Draco's peaceful expression. He felt a funny feeling in his heart and before he knew it he was brushing his lips softly on the blond's forehead. The simple gesture made his heart beat faster and for that he called himself stupid. He was thankful that Draco wasn't awake to see him behaving like a goof.

Harry decided to focus his attention on the landscape outside, but no matter what, his thoughts always turned to Draco. Ever since his breakdown Draco had been acting quite restlessly. The blonde was most likely dead tired. No wonder he had fallen asleep so quickly.

Their relationship had seemed to be affected by Draco's breakdown as well, and Harry was still pondering if that was a good or a bad thing. The good thing about it was that there was this friendly atmosphere around them that hadn't existed before. They both seemed to want to look after one another. Their need for intimacy had grown. Harry could feel in Draco's every gesture that he cared about him a lot. But while their friendship seemed to be blossoming splendidly, the sex on the other hand had ceased.

Harry couldn't really tell why. He was good to go. There was a fire inside him that lit up every time his eyes found Draco. His desire to kiss Draco senseless was coming more frequently. All it took was one look at those tasty lips to make Harry go crazy. Ever since Harry had experienced such wild and fulfilling sex, he wanted more. But Draco had spent the whole weekend avoiding Harry's touch as if he was afraid of it. They had even slept in separate beds.

The lack of sex had been very frustrating, but Harry was trying to act cool about it. After all, it wasn't his fault, was it? He hadn't done anything this time apart from kissing Draco and exposing their relationship for the whole world to see. Harry made a face. He had screwed up. It'd be better if he just admitted it. But he didn't deserve to go without sex just because of that.

Draco just needed some time alone; after all, he had gone through a lot. First Draco had been dragged in on Hermione and Fred's plan to save Harry from his gloomy world. Then he and Harry had kissed and sparks had flown leading them down a path of uncontrollable and amazing sex. And then Draco had been forced to choose between Harry and Bill, which had led him to the awful discovery that Bill had been in love with his clone. To make things even worse, that Hagen person had written that awful article about them and Draco's evil mother had paid him a visit. No wonder Draco was stressed out.

Harry should give Draco the space he needed to breathe. On the other hand, Harry was also suffering. Harry was the one having horrible nightmares about Voldemort. But they hadn't stopped him from wanting Draco. He scowled. He could use a drink. If only they served alcohol in the pumpkin juice.

What was happening to him? One minute he wanted Draco out his life and the next he wanted to shag him senseless. It was all Draco's fault for being such a great kisser. And what was that thing Draco did with his tongue every time he went down on Harry? It always made Harry's head spin. Harry sighed and tried to control himself. He wouldn't think about Draco's body riding his body and experiencing the best shag of his life. He was stronger than that.

'Think about other things... Don't think about Draco's tongue licking your body and teasing your nipples. Oh, god. That felt good... No. Don't go there. Down, little Harry, down. This is not the time or place to be aroused.'

Draco's hand slipped to his thigh and stopped a few inches from his private parts. Harry gulped and pressed his lips together. 'Think about ice. Lots of ice falling on Draco's body... no! Falling on your body, stupid!' The ice seemed to work only until Draco's hand began to move again. Harry frowned and looked at him suspiciously.

"Malfoy?" he called, but there was no response. Harry turned his head to the window with a grimace. He focused on clearing his mind from lustful thoughts, but it was quite hard to do when the object of his desires was cuddling him and breathing on his neck. After a while, Harry felt a light kiss on his neck that sent shivers down his spine. 'Oh, so now I'm imagining things...' he though bitterly. Then he felt it again. He arched his eyebrows and instantly turned to Draco, who was gazing at him sleepily but with unquestionable desire. 'Little devil,' Harry thought. "Weren't you sleeping?" he asked.

"I was," Draco answered leisurely. "But you kept moving so I woke up. What's wrong, Potter? Why are you so restless? There are no Dementors on the train, are there?"

Harry scowled. "Haha. So bloody funny, Malfoy."

Draco just shrugged and then stretched like a cat. He looked so cute doing it that Harry's libido went up again. "You've barely touched me the whole weekend and now you ask me why I'm so restless?" Harry asked, unable to hold his tongue. It was his frustrated desire talking, not him.

Draco looked at him in surprise, but was not as surprised as Harry. "Oh. I didn't think you'd notice. I mean, you didn't make any effort to touch me either. You didn't even invite me to stay in your room."

"I didn't know I was supposed to do that."

"Then how was I supposed to know you wanted me to touch you?"

Harry shrugged, upset. "I dunno. I just thought..."

"I get insecure too, Potter. I know it sounds incredible, but I also like to be seduced. Why do I always have to take the initiative?" Draco asked, irritated. "Oh, I get it. It makes it all easy for you. Then you don't have to admit that you yearn for me..."

"Don't flatter yourself..." Harry grunted. "And I did take the initiative a few times."

"Funny, but I can't remember any of those times. So you don't yearn for me?" Draco teased.

"No," answered Harry staring outside. "Not when you're being a prick anyway."

Draco sulked but then he smiled mischievously. He came closer to Harry until his lips brushed the brunette's left ear. Harry's body reacted instantly. Draco grinned victoriously and his hands began to draw small circles on Harry's thigh close to his crotch. "You don't want me, then," Draco whispered in his ear. "Too bad. Your little friend seems to be ready to play." Draco's fingertips brushed Harry's cock. Harry held his breath.

"My friend is anything but little, Malfoy," Harry muttered, still not daring to look at Draco. If he did, he wouldn't be able to control himself. But seeing Harry trying so hard to resist him only made Draco's persistence grow. Draco had always liked a challenge. It would be fun to break Harry's self-restraint.

"Harry..." Draco whispered seductively while his fingers unbuttoned Harry's trousers and unzipped them. Harry jumped in his seat and grunted, "Hands off, Malfoy!"

Draco pouted. "Why?"

"Why?" Harry asked incredulously. "Because this is the wrong place to do this."

"So you do want this."

"Yes, but not here."

Draco smiled. "Doesn't the danger of getting caught turn you on?"

Harry sneered. "Oh, yes, sure. I get hard just thinking about the trolley lady catching me with my pants down receiving a blowjob. Indeed, it's a very sexy thought."

Draco made a face. "We can lock the door, you know? Or cast a spell to warn us when someone gets close to our compartment."

"The answer is still no."

Draco sighed. "You don't know how to have fun, Potter. And by the way, you should make up your mind. I'm getting tired of trying to read your thoughts. You're hard to understand. One minute you're the most adorable person in the world and the next you turn into this annoying five-year-old brat who keeps pulling my hair for fun. First you complain that I haven't touched you this weekend, and then you complain when I decide to touch you. You make me so confused! Do you get now why I said those things to you?"

"I'm not a brat! And what things are you referring to?"

"You know what things, Potter. I won't say them again."

Harry stared at him. "But I swear I don't know what you're talking about."

"Whatever, Potter. Just turn around and enjoy the landscape. Clearly, it's a lot more interesting than me..." Draco crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up when we get to the station."

"And I'm the five-year-old..." Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Brat."

"Prude!" Draco retorted.

"Faggot."

Draco opened his eyes instantly and grabbed Harry by his collar with a murderous look. "You just said the forbidden word! You do know what that means, don't you?" Draco hissed. The tip of his nose touched Harry's.

Harry concealed a smile. "No, not really."

"Running naked around the block," Draco reminded him.

"No way. I didn't mean to insult you, just piss you off."

Draco sat on top of Harry without letting go of Harry's collar. "It doesn't matter. It's all the same to me. A bet is a bet. You'll have to pay for your mistake, Potter."

"There are other ways to pay you," Harry suggested.

Draco raised an eyebrow. Was Harry trying to seduce him now? If he was, he looked very cute doing it. Draco felt his heart melting and his body responding to Harry's intense gaze. "I hate you, Potter. I really, really hate you."

"Likewise, Malfoy."

Draco brushed their lips together and whispered, "So now you're in the mood, huh?"

"No. It's just that you said I don't know how to have fun, and I always thought it was fun to tease you, so why not take the chance?"

Draco smirked. "Oh, so you have fun teasing me."

"You look funny when you're angry."

"Well, you don't. You don't even look sexy... That just proves my point that I am devilishly handsome and quite hard to resist. I look good when I'm happy, when I'm angry and when I'm sad. I always look good," Draco bragged. "You, on the other hand..."

Harry gave him a half-smile. "Just shut up, Malfoy."

"Why don't you make me?" Draco dared. "After all, it was you who set me on fire."

And Harry did, using his most infallible and delicious weapon: a breathtaking kiss. Harry buried his fingers into Draco's hair and closed their lips together. He felt Draco's hot tongue search for his and demand more of him. Harry broke off the kiss only because he needed air.

"You dirty bastard!" Harry exclaimed when he realised that he was now laying on their seat and Draco was on top of him. "I was the one kissing you! Don't you dare complain that I never try to seduce you. Every time I try, you switch the game! It's not bloody fair!"

Draco chuckled and Harry felt bewitched by the sound of it. "Life isn't fair, Potter."

"That's not what this is about, Malfoy. You just can't stand losing to me. You still can't stop turning everything into a competition," Harry stated.

Draco felt slightly irritated by that because deep down it was true. "Don't be ridiculous, Potter."

"But it's true and you know it. It always bothers me, but today our rivalry can make things more interesting."

Draco looked at him puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Let's compete for who gets to be on top," Harry said calmly, but his cheeks turned slightly red.

"You want us to have sex here?" Draco asked sceptically.

"Hey, you started it."

"I was thinking more of a simple blowjob, not the whole act!"

"Chicken," Harry mumbled.

Draco smirked. "I'll show you chicken, Potter. You asked for it, so be ready for the best shag of your life!"

Harry didn't bother telling him that Draco had already provided him with the best shag of his life. After all, he was more than ready for a taste of paradise again. Draco definitely didn't need to know these things. He was already conceited enough.

Harry's thoughts fled when Draco's mouth hungrily searched for his. He could feel his whole body turning to jelly and already giving in, but he was determined not to go down without a fight. Kissing his shyness goodbye, he fought like a lion for his right to be on top. His hands stroked Draco's hair, then went down his face, lips, neck until they finally slid down Draco's T-shirt.

Draco moaned under his lips as Harry stroked his belly. Harry had the impression that he heard Draco purr. Totally oblivious of where they were now, Harry brought Draco's body closer. Overtaken by desire, Draco enticed Harry with nips and kisses on his neck.

Harry wanted to move his hands away from Draco's buttocks, but they seemed to be glued to them. He protested very weakly as Draco's fingers unzipped them both. He was losing the battle and he knew it. So he figured he should just enjoy the ride.

Harry knew he was losing it and fast. Driven by desire, he was finally able to take one of his hands away from Draco's delightful buttocks. Then he made Draco lick and suck his finger after a deep kiss.

With Draco busy with his neck and now half-naked chest, Harry slid his hand under Draco's pants. Draco's reaction was immediate. He gave a strangled moan. They were very close now. All Harry could do was follow Draco's rhythm until the final ecstasy.

"Harry..." Draco moaned. "This... was... so not... fair."

Harry smiled in a daze, his pupils dilated and his cheeks slightly red. "Life isn't fair," Harry whispered before being completely ravished by Draco. "Draco..." Harry moaning his name so sweetly but sensually was too much for Draco. He kissed Harry as if he wanted to devour him.

Their climax was fast but intense. Draco closed his eyes and laid his head on Harry's chest. They both waited for their hearts to calm down before speaking at once, "Wow." They gazed at each other shyly and then chuckled.

"I had something different in my mind but this was..." Draco said without taking his eyes off Harry's. "... mind-blowing."

"Yeah... I know what you mean," Harry said huskily.

Draco laid his head on Harry's chest again and Harry's heartbeat soothed him.

"I think this is what made me attack you that day," Draco said softly.

Harry frowned with his eyes closed. "What?"

"I hated the fact that I needed you desperately. But it didn't matter. It never does. I just wanted to feel you close to me. I wanted you to hold me. I wanted you in me. I needed it. You calm me down. It was as if nothing could hurt me as long as you were around," Draco confessed.

Harry felt so touched by his words that he lost his voice for a while. "I... Did you remember?"

"Yeah. I did. Not everything, but enough. That was why I was acting weird around you this weekend. I was feeling embarrassed. I kept remembering my behaviour and the way I... climbed on top of you... I was afraid of your reaction if I treated you like a lover instead of a friend. I didn't know what you were thinking... I didn't know if you hated me for it or..."

"I didn't hate you. I told you it was remarkable."

"Yeah, but what does it mean exactly?"

"That I liked it!"

"But it could also mean that you were traumatised for life."

Harry cupped Draco's face and their eyes locked. "Draco, I told you the sex was great."

Draco frowned. "Didn't you say it was good?"

"No, I told you it was great. Besides, what difference does it make?"

"It's a huge difference. Good is just... good. Good is a polite way of saying that it could have been a lot better. But great it's like... hearing fireworks. I think you said it was good."

Harry sighed. "It was the best sex I've ever had. Are you satisfied now? I remember saying something very embarrassing too! Actually, I embarrassed myself quite a lot that day... And by the way, you're always saying that my memory sucks, but you have a lousy memory too."

Draco made a face. "Whatever." Suddenly his breath got caught in his throat.

"What? What's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly.

"You called me Draco," he pointed out, stunned.

"No, I didn't," Harry said with his cheeks getting hot.

"Yes, you did!"

"So what if I did?" Harry tried to sound as if it wasn't such a big deal, but he knew it was, and so did Draco.

"So what?" Draco asked hotly. "You always call me Malfoy with that bitter tone of yours. You could call me Draco more often. After all, we're... lovers now. Right?"

Harry choked. "I... well..."

Harry was saved by the bell when the trolley lady entered their compartment and screamed so loudly that Draco and Harry jumped and fell to the floor heavily. It was a comical scene. While Harry clumsily tried to rearrange his clothes and make the evidence of their actions go away with a flick of his wand, the trolley lady kept mumbling things that didn't make any sense. Draco calmly sat on the floor, zipped his pants and smirked at her.

"Enjoying the show?" Draco asked.

"Draco!" Harry exclaimed bashfully.

"You called me Draco again!" Draco pointed out ecstatic.

"Shut up, Malfoy."

Draco's grin faded. "Well, it was good while it lasted."

Harry turned to the pale lady who was still standing at the door like a statue and said, "I'm so sorry. We were just... well, it's just that... I... I'm really sorry."

The woman gave him a half-smile. "Oh, it's... fine. I mean... It's just something that's never happened here before, not on my shift at least." She picked up some things from the trolley and offered them to Harry. She didn't dare look at Draco. Every time she did she flushed from head to toe. "Do you want something to eat or drink?"

"How about vodka?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

"Chocolate frogs," Draco said at the same time.

They stared at each other.

"No chocolates. You'll be sick!" Harry exclaimed.

"Definitely no vodka for you! You'll be drunk and a pain in the ass," Draco retorted immediately.

"Oh, you sound like a married couple!" the woman said merrily.

Draco and Harry looked at her instantly, both wearing the same horrified expression. "No way! I'm not married to this thing!" they said at the same time.

"Is that even possible?" Harry asked.

"No," Draco answered bitterly. "We're both men."

"Oh, but you can marry in Scotland," the woman said, happy to be of any help.

"What?" they exclaimed at once.

"Well... A few years ago there was a gay Minister who wanted to marry his partner, but the laws were very strict about the matter. In the end he was able to pass a law in Scotland where marriages between wizards and witches of the same sex are well-accepted."

"Why didn't I hear of this before?" Draco asked with a frown. "And how can there be different laws in Scotland and England?"

The woman smiled gently as she explained, "Sometimes there are different laws for different villages and regions. What's legal in England might not be in Scotland and Ireland. It's always been like this. Well, not always... I think it all happened in 1603 at a convention in Dublin where–"

"Oh, my goodness. She sounds like Hermione!" Draco complained making a face.

"Who's Hermione?" asked the woman.

"An insufferable know-it-all," Draco said ignoring Harry's disapproving stare. "I wonder if Hermione knows about this law... She never said anything. Aha! I'll have something to brag about when I see her! I finally know something she doesn't!"

"Congratulations, five-year-old brat," Harry sneered at Draco, who stuck his tongue out at Harry. "And to think that you work at the Ministry! How could you not know this? After all, this concerns you. You are..."

"Shut up! Don't say 'fag' or I'll hex you till your next life," Draco grunted, very annoyed by the fact that he didn't know about something so important. "And just a small reminder, Potter. You slept with me, so what does that make you?"

"A person with mental problems?" Harry suggested sweetly. Draco gave him the finger.

"So you two are not getting married?" she asked.

"No," Draco answered tartly.

"Oh, too bad. You make a lovely couple. You have this amazing chemistry. And the love you have for each other is all over your faces," she said briskly. "I think you should consider getting married. There's nothing to be ashamed of. It's only love."

Draco choked while Harry gasped, "We have nothing in common, lady. He's irritating. Besides, we do nothing but bicker about the stupidest things." But Harry agreed about the chemistry part.

"Yes, but I still think..."

"I'll have some chocolate frogs. Any chocolate will do actually," Draco said, cutting her off. He was sick of strangers meddling in his love life.

"Please, tell me there's something alcoholic in your trolley," Harry asked with a pleading look.

"Well, I have some brandy in my purse..."

Harry's eyes sparkled and Draco kicked his ankle.

"No! You promised you wouldn't drink!" Draco exclaimed angrily.

"I never promised you that!"

"Then you should have! You're not drinking," Draco said resolutely.

Harry crossed his arms. "Then you're not having any chocolate!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

The lady looked at Harry and then at Draco. "Well, if you need anything, just call me. I'm down the hall. Hmm..." she seemed to be pondering something, and when she made up her mind she said, "You do behave like a married couple." Harry and Draco made a face. Then she exclaimed, "Oh! You're Harry Potter!"

"You're only noticing it now?" Draco asked, astounded. "Well, I suppose it's hard to notice the scar when he has his pants down." It was Harry's turn to kick Draco. "Ouch! You didn't have to kick me!"

"Then don't say stupid things."

The woman smiled. She looked thrilled with her new discovery. "I saw you both in The Daily Prophet! Oh, those pictures were so lovely! I thought it was so romantic. You've loved each other since school days."

"No!" Draco quickly denied, his face reddening.

"No?" Harry raised an eyebrow questioningly. That was a subject that interested him very much.

"No!" Draco wasn't lying; after all, Harry hadn't liked him since Hogwarts.

"Oh," said Harry and the lady together, with something that seemed like disappointment. Draco frowned at Harry but didn't say anything.

She put her thumbs up and smiled. "I'm cheering for you. I hope you can work things out. You clearly desire each other," she said with a little giggle before leaving the compartment and closing the door behind her.

"Merlin. What the bloody hell was that? We'll be news again, won't we?" Draco said more to himself than Harry. "She'll definitely gossip about this. I don't want people knowing where we're going..."

"Well, you should have kept your hands away from me. Then she would have just passed by without much ado!"

"Oh, so now it's my fault?"

"Isn't it?" Harry replied.

"No! You tempted me!"

"So did you!"

"It's a lie and you know it, Scar-head!"

"Shut up, spoiled brat!"

They sat on opposite sides and refused to look at each other for a long time. Suddenly, Draco looked at Harry and began to chuckle until he was laughing hard. Harry was infected by it and soon joined Draco's laughter.

"This is ridiculous," Draco said, wiping a few tears away. "I mean, we're behaving like kids!"

"Yeah." Harry chuckled. "Although what we did today was anything but childish."

Draco sent him a naughty look. "See? You tempt me. You pretend to be all innocent but you're the devil, Potter."

"Harry," Harry said quietly.

Draco's heart stopped beating. "What?"

"Call me Harry," Harry repeated, looking anywhere but at Draco. It had just occurred to him that they were too intimate already to be calling each other their last names.

Draco felt something get stuck in his throat. He had waited for that moment his entire life. His heart was in his mouth. "Is this a trick?" Harry arched his eyebrows questioningly and Draco said, "You aren't going to hex me if I call you by your first name, are you?"

Harry smiled feebly. "No. I won't hex you. Unless you deserve it."

Draco smiled back. He felt as if he was walking on clouds. "Good."

"Good or great?" Harry teased him.

"Shut up." Draco bit his lower lips to prevent a goofy smile. "I'll call you Harry if you call me Draco."

Harry pretended to think about it, but then he said with an intense stare, "It's a deal."

Draco cleared his throat and looked away to hide his feelings. "Ok then." If he looked at Harry he wouldn't be able to hold his tongue any longer. He would confess his unconditional love for him and ruin things. He couldn't do that.

Silence fell upon them, and when their eyes finally met again there was something different between them. It was such a strong connection that it scared them both, but at the same time attracted them even more.

"Should I call you my boyfriend now?" Draco joked to alleviate the tension.

Harry smiled. "Don't push it."

"It's your loss."

"I know."

Draco had never wanted to read Harry's mind as much as in that moment. "Potter... I mean, Harry. Wow. This is weird." Harry chuckled and Draco felt like snogging him again. "Harry, since the trolley lady is cheering for us, maybe we can convince her to keep our journey a secret." Harry looked at him with surprise and Draco asked, "What?"

"I was thinking the exact same thing."

Draco smirked. "That's because we're soul mates."

"Keep dreaming..." Harry said strangely happy.

"Harry?"

"What?"

"Since we were already caught in the act, do you think that we can..."

Draco didn't have time to finish his sentence. He was grabbed from his seat to land in Harry's lap, a place that he was more than happy to occupy. "Yes," Harry whispered before kissing Draco and beginning their game of seduction all over again.

TBC…

A/N: That was a light chapter. You know what that means, right? It means that there'll be major angst ahead. Will Snape finally make his appearance? Will Draco confess his love for Harry? I'm sleepy… XD Review! Oh, next chapter will have a big cliff-hanger. Sorry… can't help it…