Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

To Jamie and Jade, my wonderful friends and beta readers. And to all of you out there who appreciate this story and review every single chapter. THANK YOU!

A/N: The feedbacks have been nothing but wonderful. There were only a few out there who were disappointed with me, including someone who stopped reading the story because she thought the whole Sirius thing was a little too much for her. Well… too bad. There's nothing I can do about that. I'm glad that she was the only one who took such a drastic measure though. And to all of you reading this: thanks for sticking up to me this far! My plots are always crazy. I can't help it. It's just the way my mind works. I like bringing back the dead. If you read Take Me Home, you know what I'm talking about.

Just a few thoughts about the last chapter: at first I had my mind on Remus. I like Severus/Remus and I thought it would be a lot easier to write about him. But I like to complicate things. There's also the fact that I can't STAND the fact that Sirius is dead in the book… So, this is why I chose Sirius instead of Remus. I'm sorry if I had disappointed some people, but… Hey, it's impossible to please everybody, right? Besides, it's my plot, and no matter how crazy it is, I like it. I just hope you like it too.

And remember: this is for FUN only. I'm not planning to be serious. After all, JK is the real creator of Harry Potter, not me. I make no money with this at all. English is not even my language, but I try anyway because I really like it. So, please don't take the story so seriously. Just have fun!

Chap. 36 – LOVE CONFESSIONS

Severus sighed, knowing the long-awaited confrontation was to come. He had been expecting Sirius' death glares and murderous words for a long time. They were more familiar to him than the loving words that they sometimes gathered the courage to profess to each other. But how he wished he were wrong, because he didn't expect Sirius' words of hatred to hurt so much.

Severus blamed himself for lowering his defence now that they were finally together. In the past, he would have just shrugged it off and carried on with his life; or hexed Sirius into the next century. He couldn't do that anymore, not when they were married.

Who was he kidding? He had never been able to shrug things off where Sirius was concerned. Sirius knew better than anyone else how to successfully get under his skin and painfully burrow through.

What was Sirius accusing him of now? Oh, yes. Something about Severus lying to him, like he always did. Harry had suffered all those frigging years because of him, the ex-Death Eater. It made Severus wonder if that stain in his life would be thrown in his face for the rest of his existence. Sirius' shouting went on and on, and Severus didn't know how he was able to hold back his anger. He just sat there and listened to Sirius rant and rave about how there was no happy life as an Auror, no wife and kids for poor little Harry. There was only pain and suffering; only feelings of guilt.

Severus smiled bitterly. Pain and suffering were part of life. Severus had had his share of suffering as well. In fact, his share had been excessive for one person to handle. Did anyone care? Only Dumbledore did, and even his old mentor didn't mind putting Severus' life at risk for the good of the cause. Why should Harry be any different? The boy had grown up with everybody treating him like a little prince. Everything Severus had done in the past had always been for the sake of Harry Potter. If they had better educated the boy, instead of trying so hard to ease his burden, Harry wouldn't have become so spoiled and difficult. They should have told Harry what was expected of him from the beginning instead of hiding the truth.

Harry Potter was the poor little orphan. So what? Did Harry really think he was the only one with a horrible past and unhappy childhood? Severus sneered inwardly. Harry didn't know a thing about suffering. Severus had experienced real pain, torture and rejection since birth. If everyone thought the Dursleys were so awful, they should hear about Severus' father.

So what if Severus was a little jealous? So what if he hadn't told Sirius the truth about Harry? He honestly hadn't known anything of the boy's state of mind. How could he? He had left everything behind to go after Sirius and bring him back. Last time he heard about Harry Potter, Harry was an outstanding Auror student and had a fiancée. Severus assumed he had moved on with his life and was now an excellent Auror, and the father of two or three annoying brats. After all, Harry had possessed everything guaranteed for success. It wasn't Severus' fault if his predictions had gone wrong.

Severus had been trying to move on with his life, too. He had been fighting with his inner demons. He had been pursuing his own happiness by saving his only love. But nobody had bothered to thank him. Neither the brat nor his block-headed lover had realised that they had only met again because of Severus.

He knew he was being unfair to Harry, after all the kid had lived quite a difficult life, but he didn't care. Severus wanted to think about his own happiness for a change. Besides, he hadn't done anything as hideous as Sirius was implying. He really hadn't known anything about Harry's depression or his nightmares with Voldemort. He was only informed of it a few minutes ago. Harry's miserable life was certainly not his fault.

Severus coldly stared at Sirius' angry face when his husband stopped spitting hateful words at him Then he frowned and asked, "Are you done?"

His unemotional tone made Sirius' anger rise even more, if that was possible. "Oh, no, baby. I'm just getting started!"

Severus grimaced and then stood up slowly to look Sirius in the eye. "All right then. Let's take all the venom out once and for all."

Harry's eyes flickered. "What are you saying?"

"That I love you, twit! I love you!" Draco felt such a relief getting that off his chest that he barely noticed Harry's shocked expression. "I love you." Draco smiled softly and then said more determinedly, "You can try to push me away all you want, Potter, but I'm not giving you up."

No matter how Harry tried, his voice wouldn't come out. He was speechless over Draco's sudden confession of love. He didn't know what to say. He felt a knot in his throat that just wouldn't undo itself. His heart was pounding hard in his ears and his hands were shaking. He shouldn't be acting so surprised. Hermione had tried to convince him a million times that Draco felt something for him other than hate. Wasn't it because of the fact that Draco and Harry had hidden feelings for each other that Fred and Hermione had set them up with their crazy plan?

But there was no denying it. Harry was shocked. He hadn't expected a blunt confession, and certainly not in that particular moment.

Draco, whose breath was stuck in his throat, was about to panic from Harry's lack of reaction. The blond wasn't exactly expecting them to kiss and jump into bed, but he surely didn't expect this unbearable silence. It was driving him crazy.

Harry gulped and then asked, "How long?" Draco looked at him stupidly and Harry added, "How long have you felt this way?"

Draco shrugged, but swallowed hard. Forever, he thought. But answering like that would be idiotically romantic, so instead he said, "I don't know. One moment I hated you and the next... I was checking you out in your Quidditch outfit and thinking to myself how hot you looked." It was a poor attempt of a joke, one that Harry didn't find funny.

"I don't get it," Harry said to himself.

Draco frowned. Now that his cold sweat was beginning to fade, irritation was taking its place. He couldn't help it. It was the only way to shield his heart from any hurtful words. "What don't you get?"

"Why do you love me?" Harry asked with legitimate curiosity. However, it offended Draco. Noticing Draco's stricken face; Harry went on, "Oh, come on, Draco! We despised each other when we were in Hogwarts. I've never thought about you as my lover until recently. I didn't even remember you most of the time! You were just this annoying fly that wouldn't go away and–"

"Alright! Alright! I get it!" Draco exclaimed, restraining the urge to punch Harry. "You don't have to tell me how unimportant I was to you, or how you loathed me. I'm more than familiar with your rejection, Potter! I lost to a Weasley, for Merlin's sake! You don't have to remind me of those horrible memories."

Harry sighed. "I'm just saying that I can't understand why you love me."

"Why? Who knows? Maybe it's because you have this stupid charisma that makes everyone notice your presence, no matter how poorly dressed you look. Or because you have the most beautiful smile I've ever seen, and the most intense pair of eyes I've ever come across. You're nice, loyal and have an amazing sense of justice. I've seen the passion in your eyes many times before. In Quidditch, with your friends, in your battles. Your passion has always burned my whole being. That's why I was so shocked when I saw you looking hopeless and defeated. That wasn't the same Harry Potter I knew. But curiously, I fell in love with this pathetic side of you, too. I fell in love with your vulnerability and weakness. Before I knew it, I'd fallen completely in love with you again." There was a flame kindled in Draco's eyes that made Harry's body hot all over.

"Look," Draco went on emotionally. "I don't expect you to love me back. I just wanted you to know my true feelings. I was sick of hiding them. I was suffocating. I needed to let them out. But that doesn't mean I'll let you play with my heart. I already know what you feel for me. I know you don't like me. But you don't have to tell me hurtful things. If you don't have anything nice to say, then just be quiet."

"Hey, wait a minute! What do you expect me to say?" Harry scowled. "I need to understand this. You do realise that this is the worst time ever to discuss our relationship! My world has just been turned upside down. Again. You can't expect me to–"

"I don't expect anything from you! I told you that already!" Draco cut in. He realised he was being unreasonable. But his heart was aching too much for him to care. Besides, it was Harry's fault. He had started it all. Harry was the one who threatened to end things between them. "It's not bloody fair! I... I don't... You are..."

"Just shut up!" Harry cut him off. Draco stared at him murderously. "Why are we fighting?" Harry asked.

"Because you're a bastard! You always pick a fight with me!"

"Oh, right! You're so innocent. You never provoke me. I just attack you on my own will, completely out of the blue!" Harry sneered.

"That's right! I mean, here I am, pouring my heart to you, and what do you do? Play the heartless bastard!"

Harry fumed. "I'm a bastard and you still love me?"

Draco clenched his fists. He felt his cheeks grow hot. "What can I say? I'm stupid and pathetic."

"I'm glad we agree on something," Harry replied heatedly.

"Go to hell!" Draco roared. He turned on his heel to storm away, but Harry – after hesitating for only a second – gripped the blonde's arm and pulled him to his chest. Their flaming eyes met one another challengingly.

"I thought you wouldn't give up even if I pushed you away." Harry's hoarse timbre made Draco's body shiver.

Draco cocked his head. "I'm not. I'm just..."

"Running away."

"No!" Draco lied shamelessly. "Cooling down."

"Then stay. Let me help you cool down." Harry's soft voice was enough to make Draco's body turn to jelly, but nothing was more effective than having Harry's fingers in his hair and a pair of warm lips capture his own passionately.

"Idiot! Don't play with me, Harry," Draco whispered against Harry's mouth. He couldn't believe he had just said that, but he couldn't take it anymore. He just wanted to hold Harry and never let go. "I'm sorry that you have to go through this pain again, but please... don't push me away." And now he was begging. So much for his Malfoy pride. "My heart is totally exposed. You can't blame me for acting so defensive."

Harry touched their foreheads together and sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. I don't want to push you away. I just can't help it. Being a complete jerk is my way of defending my heart. I... I don't have to tell you how screwed up I am. You already know. It's just too much to take at once. I'm a mess!"

Draco nodded. "I know. I just... You freaked me out. I can't bear the thought of losing you. Not when we've just started to know each other better," he confessed. "I won't get tired of you, Harry. I never did. I just want to comfort you."

Harry smiled feebly. "You're very good at that. In fact... What I realised spending all this time with you, is that you're a much better person than I am. You weren't in the past, but you are now," Harry teased a little.

Draco's heart leaped. "You're just saying that to shag me."

Harry smiled openly this time. "Is it working?"

Draco raised an eyebrow and pretended to consider it seriously. "Keep going."

"I think... that... I... I might be in love with you, too." Harry said in a whisper.

Draco's breath got caught in his throat. Everything around him was spinning. Did Harry just say what Draco thought he did? "What?" he asked just to make sure.

Harry made a face, but deep down he was really nervous. "You know... You heard me. Don't make me say it again."

Draco frowned. "I waited a long time to hear this, Potter. A very – long – time. Just saying it once again won't hurt you! I think I deserve to hear it! Do you think it's easy to handle you? I want my share of the prize for putting up with your mood swings and bitchy words."

Harry seemed to be thinking about it, and then he said, "I thought you already had your prize. Wasn't Ron supposed to give you Quidditch tickets for the whole season?"

Draco smirked. "I only said that to piss him off. Do you really think I'd trade your confession of love for some Quidditch tickets?"

"How about the World Cup?" Harry provoked him.

Draco pretended to think about it. "The World Cup, huh? It's quite an offer. Let me see... How about... You say that you love me and we go watch The World Cup together?"

Harry licked his lips to conceal a smile. "You're so spoiled. When are you going to learn that you can't have everything you want?"

Draco shrugged. "Never. I know I can have both."

Harry laced their fingers together and then said in a low, serious voice, "I love spending time with you. I never thought I would. I thought Hermione's idea was the craziest piece of crap I'd ever heard. I was convinced that you and I would never work out. But somehow we did hook up in the most wonderful way. You've changed a lot. I like everything about this new you. You showed me your softer and less selfish side. You let me know your strengths and your weaknesses. Most of all, you were my friend. Before I knew it, you had captured a big part of my heart." Harry paused so as not to choke on his next words.

Draco was trying hard not to burst into tears. He knew it was silly of him, but to hear Harry confessing his feelings for him was something he had never thought possible. Harry seemed as shaken as he was.

"I... I think I love you," Harry continued. "But..." Draco's heart almost stopped. "I need to figure myself out before asking you to extend our thirty days together. I can't be with you unless I make peace with myself. I... I'll go on that self-discovery journey Snape told us about. I just don't know when I'm coming back. I don't even know if it'll work. I want to ask you to wait for me, but it wouldn't be right. You have Bill, and he's a much better person than I am. He's fucking perfect for you, and I really hate him for it." Harry flushed and Draco felt Harry's tension through the grip on his fingers. "Fuck it!" Harry stared deeply into Draco's eyes and stated, "You don't have to wait for me. But if I find out that you went back to Bill, I'll challenge him to a duel."

Draco blinked repeatedly to keep his tears from falling. He wondered if a person's heart could explode from such happiness. He had never felt such bliss in his whole life. Not even when he had first mounted a broom and flown away. He grinned at Harry, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I think Bill has more of a right to challenge you," he tried to joke.

"Hey! He had his chance with you and he blew it. Besides, what about that French kid?"

Draco grimaced. "Let's not go there."

"Are you jealous?" Harry asked. He certainly was.

"No, not really. I mean, maybe a little. My ego is wounded. Bill never told me anything about that kid. For all I knew, I was the only one who really tempted him." Draco made a face. "Well, I'm not the first to fall for this kind of crap... I really like Bill. We had a great relationship, and I guess... He thought the same way. I really wanted to believe that he was the one, and I think he wanted to believe that I was the one for him. But... Everything changed when I saw you again. I can't be with him anymore. Not after everything that has happened to us. I understand now that I love Bill as a friend, but... It's you that I want." Draco took a deep breath before continuing, "It's you that I love."

They embraced tightly and just stayed entangled in each other's arms for a long time.

"I'll wait for you as long as it takes," Draco whispered in Harry's ear.

"Don't push it. I can't see you enduring that long without sex," teased Harry.

Draco pinched him fondly. "Sex isn't everything. And even if things get too rough, I can always turn to Bill... I'm sure he'll be more than happy to–"

Harry sealed Draco's lips with his. "You do that alright, but don't forget about the consequences."

"I'm not afraid of you," Draco taunted.

"You should be." Draco smiled at Harry's fake seriousness, and Harry kissed him once more. Draco stroked Harry's hair and his nose touched his lover's affectionately. The blond couldn't contain his happiness. He felt foolish and very much in love. Harry Potter loved him. Maybe Harry was still a little confused about everything, and given the circumstances it couldn't be any different. But Draco had a better chance now than when he had started living with Harry. He could finally feel Harry close to him. "I'm sorry about everything, Harry. I swear I didn't know anything about your godfather."

Harry nodded. He knew Draco was telling the truth.

"How do you feel?" Draco asked.

"Even though I still feel as if I've fallen into an alternate universe where nothing makes any sense, I'm feeling better. Thanks for coming after me. It seems like you weren't kidding when you said you were my guardian angel," Harry said with loving eyes. "For a moment there I thought you and Snape had teamed up to make me lose my mind for good."

"You don't believe that anymore, do you? Really, Harry, I had no idea. Uncle never told me anything about Black!" Draco said worriedly.

"I've already vented my anger, so now I can see things more clearly. I know it isn't your fault. I still want to kill Snape, though."

"Not to defend him or anything," began Draco carefully, "but he honestly didn't know how you were. He could have made sure of it, but... He's a sad and lonely man, Harry. He was afraid that if he let Black go after you, he would lose his husband and the only love he'd ever had. Besides, he was also afraid of Black's enemies. He didn't want to risk his lover's life again. Hiding Black from you and the rest of the world wasn't one of his smartest moves, but he had the best of intentions."

"He was selfish!" Harry exclaimed.

"Well, sooner or later your godfather would have come after you. Uncle said that Black had been acting quite restless lately. Think positive, Harry. Now you have your godfather alive and near you. It's a dream come true! Cherish the moment! And thank Uncle for that. Black wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

"That pisses me off even more! To think that I owe Snape this much... It's infuriating!"

"Would you stop behaving like a kid?"

"I have the right to be angry," Harry stated.

"You have all the right in the world. But what good will come of it? I think Uncle will have enough problems explaining himself to your godfather..."

That thought made Harry smile evilly. "Well, it serves him right."

Torn between his loyalty to Severus and his love for Harry, Draco decided to remain silent. He hugged Harry tightly and sighed contentedly. His happiness ballooned inside his chest and made him so light-headed he thought he could float. 'Harry loves me! Who cares about anything else?'

Harry hadn't felt that good in a long time. It was as if his talk with Draco had set him free. Even though there was a lot to worry about, having Draco in his arms gave him peace of mind and courage to face whatever came to him. Who would have thought that Draco Malfoy would be that kind of person for Harry? He was absolutely amazed. Draco Malfoy was his other half.

"I can't believe you love me," Harry said to himself.

Draco stared at him. "I can't believe you love me."

"I said I wasn't sure."

"So bloody funny," Draco sneered. "And it's too late to take it back! You love me because I say so."

"Keep saying stupid things like that and I'll definitely stop loving you."

Draco stuck out his tongue at him and Harry grinned. Draco looked around and sighed. "Uncle will be very mad, Harry. You trashed his guest room..."

Harry shrugged. "Like I give a fuck. Besides, I think my damages were minimal compared to yours. Your living room was worse than this and I was able to put it all together in no time."

"Not true! Just look around! This place is bigger than my living room. It'll take a while to clean it all up. You really broke down..."

"At least I didn't attack you like you did to me!"

"Of course not. You didn't let me in while you were throwing a fit. And to think that I let you in... in more than one way," Draco sneered.

Harry chuckled. "I did let you in. You're here, aren't you? And I plan on... letting you in... later... if you want." Harry flushed slightly and then went forward to peck him softly on the cheek. It was Draco's turn to blush.

"What was that for?" Draco asked, amused.

"A thank-you present for enduring me until now."

Draco was deeply touched by that simple and yet so significant gesture. Even so, he decided to joke about it. "You call that a present? I want the full package, Harry, not just a sample."

"You'll have the whole thing later," Harry provoked him.

"Alright. So..." Draco hated to bring them back to earth, but he had to do it. "What do you want to do now? Do you want to talk to your godfather again?"

Harry sighed heavily and sat down on the bed. "I don't know. I'm still hurt. I can't believe he's here. He's here! It's quite a shock. I... I wished a thousand times for that fateful day at the Ministry to be just this big fat lie... I've wished so many times to see him again... I used to dream that Dumbledore and the lot had lied to me just to spare my feelings... Well, Dumbledore did lie in a way... He omitted the fact that there was a tiny chance to save Sirius."

"He didn't know for sure, Harry. He just wanted to protect you."

"I know." Harry swallowed hard. "I think that's the biggest problem in my life. Everybody is always trying to protect me. They should just let me be..." He looked at Draco with teary eyes. "I still can't believe he's here. I want to punch him, but at the same time I want to hug him. What should I do?" Harry's question took Draco by surprise, mainly because Draco had never thought he would hear Harry Potter asking him for advice.

"I think..." Draco started, not quite sure of what to say. "Well... I guess you should go downstairs and give him a tight hug for all the missing years. I think it's ok if you punch him first... But don't forget to cry your heart out. You look like you need a good cry. I promise not to make fun of you."

Harry took Draco's hand in his and stroked it. His eyes were full of gratitude and love when he said, "Thanks."

Draco put his arms around Harry and brought him closer. He was in need of a good cry, but he shut his eyes tightly. It wasn't the time yet. He breathed deeply, hoping that Harry wouldn't change his mind about loving him.

Harry closed his eyes and let the emotions around flow into his being. Once Hermione had told him that a wizard was able to feel if the love was true. He could feel it now. Draco's love was taking away his fears and soothing his heart. Harry had never felt so scared in his life. It had been a while since the last time he had opened his heart and let someone in.

They were so caught up in each other that it took them a while to notice that the floor was shaking as if a small earthquake was taking place. They looked at each other, puzzled, and then opened their eyes wide.

"Shit! Do you know what this means?" Draco asked worriedly.

"Please, tell me it isn't them..." said Harry, referring to Sirius and Snape.

"I'm afraid it is... Should we meddle in it?"

A sudden blast was their answer. In a second, they were both running down the stairs to prevent Sirius and Severus from destroying the house and themselves.

TBC…

A/N: Well, another cliffhanger. But before you get mad at me, let me tell you that the next chapter is ready to roll! Just wait a few days. I think.