The second chapter already! I know… I hope you enjoy it! Only way I will continue is if you review!

Chapter 2: Getting to know you better

After that happy thought, Harry rubbed his eyes and grabbed for his glasses, quickly putting the room into focus. When he looked to the left of his bed, he saw another picture. This time, thankfully enough, it was not Dumbledore, but someone else whom he held dear to his heart. In the picture Harry had his arms around Ginny Weasley, and they were both standing in front of the school's lake. The two looked overjoyed with each other and were merrily waving at the now thinking Harry. Deeply engrossed in thought over the break-up, Harry wondered why he had done it. Of course he had told Ginny he did not want her to get hurt- that was the easiest thing to do. But surely enough, that was not his true feeling.

Harry didn't know how exactly to explain it. Sure he liked Ginny, but that was it, he only liked her. To put it simply, he was just not attracted to her, even though he thought he should be. In this confusion, Harry thought back further, back to when Ginny had been dating someone else, in fact, it had been one of Harry's friends- Dean Thomas. Back then, Harry thought he was jealous of Dean, almost completely sure of it, to tell the truth. But now, Harry realized this was just more of his brotherly love shining through. He had just felt overly-protective, so much so that he had thought it was better that he should go out with Ginny, in order to protect her of course, from "playas." He thought he would be able to fall in love on the way, but things didn't go as planned. Before he knew it, they were snogging in every free moment they had together. He just knew he had to get out of it because he did not exactly enjoy the time she spent with her. So he used the same feeling that got him into the mess to get him out: his brotherly love. Since he felt this way about her, Harry told Ginny he couldn't stand to see her get hurt, which was understandable, to say the least. He was glad it was over, that much was true. But he still felt something wrong, something other then Ginny…

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK," Harry heard at the door into the Dursley house, rudely interrupting his thoughts. He thought to himself, 'I was about to have an epiphany! Oh well, guess I better go to the door…wonder who it is…' Harry ran down the stairs as fast as his feet could take him, driven by his curiosity to get to the door before any of the Dursleys. Luckily, Harry got there first and threw the door open. And as quickly as he opened the door, he shut it, right in someone's face. Harry was not quite yet ready to see him yet, but with a deep breath, Harry got over what he had done and opened the door. He asked, in the most obtrusive voice possible, "What do you want, Malfoy?"

Draco answered, as kindly as he could, "I sort of…umm… need your help…" Well, Harry could see that much. The normally pristine boy had now become very disheveled. For starters, Draco's was a mess, not to mention red. At this, he saw Draco quickly mutter the counterjinx, "Pelendria Normalus," and watched his hair change back to the normal blonde. His face wasn't much better than his hair had been. His normally vibrant silver eyes had sunken into their sockets and he had gargantuan bags underneath each eye. There was also something wrong with his forehead…as though something was on it. But that was nothing compared to the worst part of all: his clothes! They were absolutely dreadful! Dirty, dingy, despicable, ugh! But soon Harry found himself looking past all this, soon Harry found himself looking for the real problem with Malfoy…

Harry's mind flew back to the night Dumbledore was killed, in order to see what exactly had happened. You see, Harry had blocked most of the memory due to the emotional heartache brought on by the mere thought of it. But Harry knew he could easily uncover most of it. He just had to try.

Instantly, things began to become much more clear, lucid in fact. And soon, Harry saw Draco standing in front of Dumbledore. Dumbledore was trying to convince Draco he was not evil enough to kill him. The headmaster obviously had faith in Draco's personality and his feeble attempts seemed to be working. Shortly into the conversation, Harry swore he had seen Draco's wand drop some. With this idea in his mind, Harry realized something. He had figured out that Draco wasn't all bad. It seemed as though Draco had simply been forced into the situation, without his feelings playing any bearing. With Dumbledore's faith in Malfoy in mind and the feeling that Draco didn't want to do anything evil, Harry decided to at least let Malfoy talk before slamming the door shut in his face again.

After this moment's pause, Harry asked Malfoy, as nicely as possible, "Will, tell me why you need my help Malfoy. Then we may actually be getting somewhere." Harry hadn't met for the last line to come out as it did, but it was too late. He just decided to wait for Malfoy's reply.

At this, Malfoy, or should I say Draco, broke out into tears, "I have no…. where else to" sob "go, Harry. The dark lord wants to… to" sob , "kill me," he finally added with a gasp. At this, Harry was absolutely astounded, 'Malfoy actually had feelings, like a normal person? And was scared to die? AND he called me Harry. Whoa… Well, I guess even the biggest prat can change,' he silently pondered. Well, Harry knew Draco had feelings, hadn't he run into him the bathroom last year crying? But that had been something big that had made him cry, he would die if he failed then... "So this must be really happening to Draco," he thought.

And Harry added on, to Draco's reply, "…And I'm the only one you know of that could protect you from his wrath. Well, I guess I see your dilemma. But how can I trust you?" And at this Draco looked truly hurt.

Draco responded the only way he knew how to. He muttered pleadingly, "You'll just have to…" sob "trust me." He looked up at Harry, with his eyes looking like a begging puppy. They had been glazed over with tears and both had the appearance of priceless gems. This in itself struck Harry of his feet.

'He is begging me for help?' Harry asked himself, and responded, 'He must really mean it. I mean, being the prat he is he would never beg to me. Not in a million years. Unless he was really desperate.' Harry's heart had just let Draco in after this pitiful display.

He told Draco, "Draco… yes, Draco, I think I actually believe you… so, come with me so we can figure out what we can do. Just follow me." And with the wave of a hand, the thankful Draco followed Harry up the stairs into the room. But as Harry was about to ask him what had happened, Draco instantly fell upon the bed and dozed off into the deepest sleep. It was not until a day later that Harry finally saw him arouse.

Draco was slowly awakening from his slumber and as he did so, he swore he saw two glowing emeralds floating over his face. Upon close inspection he saw it was the face of Harry, the person whom had saved him. At this he smiled, but then realizing what exactly was going on, he quickly snapped out of his illusion. He soon asked Harry, "Umm, if you mind me asking, how long was I out for? I mean, you look like you were concerned I wouldn't wake."

Harry answered, with a bored expression, "Just about a day I guess. I had to sleep on the floor thanks to you!" When Draco heard this he grinned, but Harry didn't seem the slightest bit happy, so he quickly wiped the look off his face. He did not want to get on the nerves of the person who was going to save him. He decided he better apologize for being a burden, but Harry had already asked him something before he was able to.

"So, what exactly happened to you Mal…. er Draco? I mean something bad must have come your way. You still look like you were torn apart, even after that sleep." Draco sighed at this question, and he began to tell Harry what had happened to him during the past week after Dumbledore's death. After he and Snape had left Hogwarts, Snape abandoned him and told him to run for his life. Although Severus would be forgiven for his mistake, Draco would not. He would have to run from You-Know-Who. After a blur of faces and a week later, Draco had made it halfway through London, but still kept moving under fear of death. Just as he was about to mention what happened between him and Bellatrix, there was a loud knock on the door.

Harry jumped up from where he had been listening and pushed Malfoy into the closet, mouthing, "No questions. Just deal." Everything then became black for Draco, but he still could hear what was going on outside. What sounded like some sort of fat muggle was yelling at Potter for not starting his chores. Harry was fed up with this man and could not handle him. He yelled at him, "Leave me alone! I'm just packing! Get your bloody arse out of my room and leave me ALONE!" Draco could swear he heard a whimper, but as soon as he heard it, a door closed. In a few seconds, Harry swung the door to the closet open and as he grabbed Draco's hand, something unexpected happened.

He paused.

For a fleeting moment their eyes locked…

Then the connection was broken.

Harry came to his senses and not realizing what had just happened, continued on, acting like nothing had happened. Draco was just as confused, and he decided it was best he not mention what he felt. He sat down where he had been telling his story before, but before he started telling it to Harry, he asked, "He the bloody hell was that?"

Harry sighed and told him, "My muggle uncle AND the reason we're going to have to leave here when you're finished your recollection. But don't worry, just continue, …Draco." And with that Draco finished telling him what had happened, from Bellatrix to the red hair. Harry was satisfied with this explanation; it helped him figure out many things, one of them including Draco's innocence. Throughout his story telling, Harry could tell he had been the truth just from the way he told it. However, Harry was more worried about their safety now. With a death eater on their tails, what could they do to escape? Without a solution, Harry decided he would need to contact Hermione.

"Draco," Harry said, "I don't really have any idea how to handle this, so I thought it would be best to see Hermione."Draco answered, "That mudblood?" Realizing his mistake, Draco did the best to apologize. "I'm sorry…it's force of habit." Harry seemed to accept this answer, but was still a little peeved. Then a smirk came onto his face. Draco did NOT like the look of that.

Sure, Harry had been insulted by Draco's comment. He hated it when anyone insulted one of his friends, but Harry had another idea on his mind. He knew just how to get back at Draco. Sure it would scare him, but it would be worth it. But first things first, Harry had to call Hermione. He reached onto his shelf and grabbed his cell phone, but Draco just stared in fright. 'Just as I thought,' said Harry, 'He's scared of muggle-stuff!' and with an evil grin, called Hermione.

"Hey Hermione!" he rang out, much to Draco's utter fright. He seemed absolutely horrified at what Harry was doing.

"Harry is that you? I knew you would call me to come and stay with you! I'll right there in a minute…" Hermione replied, in her matter of fact sort of tone. But Harry interrupted her as she tried to keep rambling.

"Actually, no," he replied, hearing a distinct sigh on the other end, "it's more like I need you come here and take us to the burrow."

"Well, I was close, wasn't I? I'll be right over to escort you. I guess you can side-along apparate with me, right?" Hermione responded.

"Exactly what I was thinking Hermione. Thanks."

"No problem. You know I love to help! See you soon Harry." Then she paused, but curtly added on, in an almost motherly tone, " SO make sure you're packed!" Harry shuddered at that thought and said goodbye. When he had finished, he looked over at the pale Draco.

He asked, "What's wrong with you? You look like you've just seen Voldemort?" With the sound of that name, Draco cried out. He really was scared out of his wits and Harry was having fun. Harry was going to make sure Draco never called anyone a Mudblood again. Ever.

I decided that would be the best place to end the chapter right now, before Draco's real punishment for calling Hermione begins. I'm having so much fun thinking of the punishment BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. WHOA. I gotta lay off the coffee lol. I am trying to get these two together but they just won't budge. I mean Harry is just starting to realize he's gay. I started the first spark of romance in this chapter and hopefully, soon, there will be something that pulls them closer. But for now, that's all I can do… Oh and I have to pull Hermione in as a friend. This is hard. Why won't they just do it! Meh. I shall keep writing. But only if I get some Reviews AND soon! Peace out peeps. Oh and the third chapter is called Hawaiian Punch!