A/N: I know that it took more than a few days, but I hope you can forgive me. I think you will once you read this chapter. I hope to end this story soon as Dream Reality is consuming my thoughts, but I promise I won't finish it until I feel like there is a solid conclusion. Until then, please continue to read, review and enjoy. Much love and thanks to all the reviewers.

Harry ripped his mouth away from Justin and dropped his hands as if he had been burned, but he was too late. Draco had already stalked off and he knew better than to follow him immediately. Not wanting to talk to Justin, however, he ran off in the direction Draco had gone, only to stop once he was out of Justin's sight. He made a quick turn to the left and made his way to the Gryffindor tower to pick up his invisibility cloak and Marauder's Map, there was no sense wasting time looking for Draco and worrying about curfews. He had a feeling that he wouldn't be going to bed early tonight.

Harry walked down the halls of Hogwarts, once again chasing Draco. He wondered why he continued to follow the blonde. He felt as though he was the only one doing anything to preserve the relationship – the relationship? That brought him to another interesting thought. Why did Draco care if he kissed someone else? He was the one to write a note telling Harry to stop waiting for him in the first place. What could have changed his mind? Could it have just been Draco's temperament? He was prone to saying one thing and meaning another. He was also very quick to be angered by anything he considered a slight against himself, but was that enough to evoke such a passionate response? Harry didn't think so. It was almost as if Draco liked him and was hurt and jealous, but why? There was no way Draco liked him…unless…it couldn't be. Did Draco remember?

Harry took off at a run toward the dot that read "Draco". He was ecstatic. Draco must have remembered. That had to be the reason he was so mad.

Harry flew into the Great Hall and screeched to a stop. Where was Draco? Harry stood there, breathing harshly and trying to calm his pounding heart. It was then that a soft sob ripped through the air.

"Get out!"

Harry whipped around to find Draco crying behind the entrance doors.

"Draco!"

"Go away!"

"No! Why didn't you tell me that you remembered me?"

Draco looked up in confusion.

"What?"

"You remembered and you didn't tell me. I know you did or else you wouldn't have cared about who I was kissing."

"I don't remember you, Harry."

"Then why are you so mad?"

"I don't know."

"I know that you know. If you don't care, why are you crying?"

"Why don't you leave me alone? If I tell you, no good will come of it. You're better off not knowing."

"I don't think you should be the one to make that decision. Tell me what's wrong. Why are you crying in the Great Hall of all places? Anyone could find you here."

"The only time people come here is during meals. No one has ever thought to look for me here. How did you?"

"Doesn't matter."

The boys sat in silence for a while.

"Why were you crying?"

"Let it go, Harry."

"I'm not going to let it go. I care about you."

"You care? How can you say that? You seem to forget that you were practically devouring that Hufflepuff's tongue earlier."

"What the fuck, Draco? You had better tell me what's going on now. You are obviously mad at me for some reason. Why? Why do you care so much about what I do or in this case, who I kiss?"

"You want to know why I care? I care because I'm an idiot. I like you, Harry. I can't remember our relationship or anything but our fights, but the past few weeks of watching you and trying to understand what everyone told me had happened have shown me the person that I must have known. I like you, Harry, and I don't know what to do. How could you ever start over with me?"

Harry sat there for some time staring at Draco. He sat as the last note of Draco's despondent monologue faded from the air. He sat as Draco watched him anxiously, trying to read his thoughts. He tried to speak, but no words came to his lips. Draco lost more hope as every minute passed. Finally, he stood and began to walk out. It was then that Harry broke from his trance and jumped up.

"Wait!"

"I don't need a pity rejection speech. I understand how awkward this must be for you. Let me go."

"I know why I can start over with you."

"What?"

"You asked me how I could ever start over with you. I know why I can. I can start over with you because I like you. I don't care if we have to start over or if we repeat conversations I remember. I'll repeat it all if it means I get to be with you."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive, which is more than I could say about the first time we tried this."

Draco's lips quirked upward at that comment.

"Thank you, Harry."

Harry walked up and placed a hand on Draco's cheek and stroked it once. Draco leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. Harry placed a soft kiss on Draco's other cheek.

"I think I'd better go. I believe more than enough has happened for today. I'll see you tomorrow, I hope."

Draco managed a small smile.

"I think you're right and you will see me tomorrow," Draco said though he longed for more of Harry's touch He turned away reluctantly.

"Good night."

"Good night, Draco."

"They're always trying to protect me. I've spent my life being told that it was for my own good, but really the only reason they protect me is to protect themselves. I know, I know, I have to save the wizarding world or die trying. I know that everyone is terrified that something will happen to me be before I can save them. That's the real reason they protect me. It's funny. I'm the boy who lived and yet I have barely lived. I've existed inside walls for my entire life. I was so grateful to come to Hogwarts because it got me away from Privet Drive, but all I did was exchange a cupboard for a castle. I've been sneaking out of the castle and around the castle ever since I came here. When I was eleven, I made up reasons, but now, I know that I do it because it's the only chance I have to experience life without a safety net. If I die, I won't be the one who suffers beyond any pain from the death. The people who suffer will be the ones who protect me, the ones who need me and who feel responsible for me. No one ever considers that I am not afraid to die. I'm afraid I'll never live."

Draco was unsure of how to respond to Harry. He had met the boy walking around the grounds and tried to talk, but had sensed that something was off with Harry. They had walked in silence for a while, the Slytherin realizing that small talk would be pointless. Finally, Harry had spoken. Draco had been glad that Harry was talking, but now he was at a loss.

"I've never been protected. My father took me to the worst places with him and barely watched me. I've always been free to go and do as I pleased with no need to do more than make sure I was present when my parents wanted me, which wasn't very often. I don't know the feeling of being physically kept to one place, but I do know the trapped feeling that lots of walls give off. I was trained to hide everything I felt or thought. I was told the importance of my behavior and my duties as a Malfoy. I was trapped inside a person I didn't want to be, but that changed when my father left. I can't help you, but I can sort of understand."

Harry smiled, sadly.

"I'm sorry you had to hear all that. I didn't mean to unload everything on you before you had a chance to get to know me. The past month has been hard and I'm about to reach my breaking point. You have to understand, I love Emily, but I never dreamed I'd be taking care of a small child. It's one of the most fulfilling things I have ever experienced: earning the trust and love of a child, but it's so hard. I wouldn't give it up for anything."

"Where is Emily?"

"She's spending the day and night with Severus. I think he saw that I was wearing thin and he offered to take her, claiming that he missed having her in his rooms."

"I think he really did. He told me that the two of you are basically his family now."

"Crazy, isn't it?"

Draco smiled a little.

"Do you wish all of this had never happened? Do you wish you could go back to before Emily and me?"

"I would never want that. For all the bad, I've come out with a family. I've got Severus and Emily. I like being needed and loved. I haven't lost you yet. I have no regrets. I have a fuller life. It may be tiring or difficult and I may get depressed sometimes and wish I didn't have any obligations or attachments, but I'd rather have all of this than nothing."

Draco was silent, considering Harry's words. Harry's voice broke into his thoughts.

"Enough of that for one day, don't you think? Let's go back to my common room, no one is there and we can sit around and watch a wizard wonder."

"Ok."

Wizard wonders were screens that could be spread on a wall or table or ceiling or floor or anywhere flat really that showed movies. Not only did they sell them for wizard movies, but they had also made several of the more popular muggle movies into wizard wonders. Harry had been amassing a large collection of these as everyone gave them to him for all occasions, knowing how much he loved them. He had several new ones from Christmas and was eager to watch one with Draco.

Draco followed Harry into the Gryffindor room, feeling very nervous. He was finally getting to spend time with the brunette and he could hardly think of what to say to break the tension. Of course, Harry didn't seem to notice. He was chattering about something or another while he pulled out a new wizard wonder. Following the hand gestures that Harry was making, Draco sat down stiffly on the couch. He tried to lean back and look relaxed while taking up the least space possible. Harry spread out the screen on the wall opposite the couch and then took a seat by Draco, close enough that their shoulders touched.

"Draco, you can relax. You won't catch any Gryffindor traits by sitting on the couch. They aren't that contagious."

Draco stared at Harry until he realized that the boy was making a joke.

"Oh, I get it. That was funny."

Harry eyed Draco.

"You're acting weird."

"What's this called again?"

"Happenstance."

"What?"

"It's a French film about a bunch of strangers and their chance encounters with one another. It explores how the littlest things can change the outcome of an entire situation."

Draco turned and pretended to be paying attention to the film. The truth was he was sitting there taking in every move that Harry made. He was so confused. He wanted Harry to make a move on him, but he was nervous. He wanted to kiss Harry, but he was worried that Harry would kiss him. It made no sense and then all of a sudden, Harry made some gesture with his hands while talking and one had landed on Draco's knee, palm up. Draco stared at it for a moment. Was that Harry's way of indicating that he wanted to hold hands? Draco hoped that it was because his hand was already moving to slide into Harry's warm fingers. He looked at Harry out of the corner of his eyes and was pleased to see a small smile on the brunette's face.

They sat like that for some time, until Harry spoke.

"Are you cold?"

"I am a little, now that you mention it."

Harry walked over and poked the fire for a few minutes until he had a nice blaze going. When he sat down on the couch, Draco left his hand out for Harry to hold again, but instead, the Gryffindor put an arm around Draco and pulled him closer. Draco's head was leant against Harry's chest and he liked it. Harry was solid and warm. His shirt was soft and he smelled wonderful, not because of some cologne or soap, but because he smelled like himself. Draco wrapped an arm across Harry's stomach and snuggled closer. He was so comfortable. He had no idea what was going on in the movie, he was too busy enjoying Harry. It wasn't until Harry began to glance at him that he began to get nervous. Obviously, Harry wanted to kiss him. Finally, gathering all his courage, Draco turned and looked into Harry's eyes. The boy leaned in closer and kissed Draco, softly, barely even moving his lips. He backed away and Draco held onto Harry, while turning his face down, shyly.

Harry was astonished. Draco was acting so shy. He had never been so nervous around Harry before. Draco had plenty of experience. Why was he so shy now? And then it hit Harry, Draco was afraid that he wouldn't be the same as he was when Harry and he had dated. He wanted to be the same as he had been before, but he couldn't remember how that was. As soon as Harry understood, he backed up. He held Draco, but he didn't try to kiss him again. This time, Draco would have to be the one to make the moves, at least for tonight.

Draco was glad that Harry seemed satisfied with just sitting on the couch. He was able to relax again and enjoy being with Harry. That is, he relaxed until he began to wonder why Harry hadn't tried to kiss him again. Had it been that bad? Had it been different than before? Did Harry like kissing Justin better? Draco knew from watching the two of them kiss that the passion was much more intense and the kiss itself was more daring. He began to worry that Harry didn't want to kiss him again because there had been none of that consuming desire between them. Draco decided that he would have to kiss Harry with intensity. He had to stop worrying and give him something he wouldn't forget. Luckily for him, Harry had just glanced down at him again.

Draco reached up a hand and placed it on Harry's jaw, passively preventing him from turning away. He got on his knees on the couch and turned Harry's head slightly. He then dropped his hands to Harry's shoulders and leant in to capture Harry's lips in a fiery kiss. He wasted no time on gently, brushing of lips, but firmly planted his lips on Harry's. He ran his tongue lightly across Harry's bottom lip and dove into the sweet warmth that awaited him. As Harry began to respond, he pulled away and dropped his head to suck on the crook of Harry's neck. His tongue left wet trails as he moved down to nibble the other boy's collarbone. Hearing Harry give a soft groan, he came back up and allowed the brunette to take control of the kiss. When they finally pulled away to catch their breath, Draco allowed a small smile to grace his face before sinking back down to wrap his arms around Harry. Harry put his arm back across Draco and the two cuddled closer together, never noticing that the credits had long since finished rolling and the movie was over.