A/N – this one I blame on not enough sleep and Roni telling me to write more. Just to clarify, Harry gets abused by the Dursleys, and Draco gets abused by his father.

Thanks to Roni for betaing (is that a word?) this for me.

Disclaimer – I don't own anything. J.K Rowling does. Its all quite devastating I assure you.

(blah blah indicates thoughts)

("blah blah" indicates speech)

Chapter 4

Harry laughed at the expression on Hermione's face.

"Yeah. Me and Malfoy. As if!"
Ron looked relieved when he heard that.

"Well guys…I'm going to go write a couple of letters. So I'll see you later. Night."
" Night Harry." Ron and Hermione said at the same time. And then Hermione, smiling seductively, said, "Now, where were we?" and kissed Ron.

-- ---

Harry walked up the stairs and to the room he shared with Ron, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnegan. Not knowing why he wanted to write to Malfoy and apologise, he decided to first write his letter to Remus.

Dear Remus,

How have you been? I know that you told me I could talk to you if I have any problems, but it just feels so awkward talking about stuff. Its not just you, but its talking to people in general. I feel like I'm taking advantage of them. So, I'm sorry if my letters are kind of stilted.

I think I have a problem. I call it a problem for want of a better word, because I don't consider it a problem. But I know other people will. I haven't told you this, but Tonks might have told you, because I told her a while ago. Its funny to just be able to say it, but…I'm gay. That's not the problem though. I've told Ron and Hermione, and they COMPLETELY freaked out. I kind of expected that though. But I think that they're starting to accept it. Sadly, my problem is slightly more complicated.

It goes something like…I think I'm in love with Draco Malfoy, and the thought of that SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF ME. I mean, Draco Malfoy. Its like…the "Prince of Light" and the "Prince of Dark". Just a little bit weird.

And…what will people think? I mean, they consider me the freaking saviour of the freaking wizarding world. How will people react if they find out that their stupid hero is gay? I'm not sure if I want to know.

But it's just so…so aggravating. I don't WANT to like Malfoy. That's not exactly something I'd planned for. But it was just like…one day when we were fighting I realisdd that I didn't hate him. But then, the only way I could ever talk to him was when we were screaming insults or hexes at each other. So I just continued with it.

I'm sorry to burden you with my troubles, but your help would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes

Harry Potter.

Well. That was interesting to write. I hope Remus can help. That's if living with Tonks hasn't driven him totally and utterly insane. Now…for the hard one…

Malfoy…

much of my words and actions earlier this evening were not directed at you, or meant to be witnessed by you. I'm sorry that you are now aware of my situation re: the muggles, but please, feel free to forget what I told you.

H. Potter.

Well. That was shockingly retarded. But I suppose it gets the message across.

Harry walked out of his dorms, then made his way to the owlery.

-- ---

Draco was pacing his room. He still didn't know what to do about Harry.

He probably didn't even mean to tell me about it. I mean, he hates me. Why would he tell me something that he probably hasn't told the Mudblood and Weasel? They're his best friends, so if he was going to tell anyone it would be them.

Draco sighed. "maybe I'll just have to write him a letter." Draco moved to his desst and sat down. Maybe I'll give him a hint about how I feel at the same time…

Dear Potter (ring any bells?),

I am sorry about what you go through with the muggles you live with. I don know how you feel though, as my father is the same.

Despite what you think of the Malfoys, I am generally not like that. For example, I have a heart. But don't tell anyone. I don't want people to think that I'm actually nice or something. And at the moment, my heart is quite taken by a certain person. Give that some thought.

I have an offer for you Potter. You might, no, you will think its odd, but I have no deep dark ulterior motive. I assume that you haven't told your friends about the was the muggles treat you. So, if you wish, you may talk to me about it, as I know what you are going through.

Take my offer into consideration Potter.

Draco Malfoy.

Draco walked out of his room, and into the Slytherin common room.

"Where are you going Drake?" Pansy asked

"Oh, just taking care of some business to do with father." he replied.
Leaving the dungeons he walked up to the owlery, hoping that he wouldn't meet anyone who he knew on the way. After all, it would be rather hard to explain why he was carrying a letter to Harry Potter.

When Draco go to the owlery, imagine his shock when he found Harry tying a letter to one of the school owl's legs and telling it to find him.

"That won't be necessary Potter." Draco said, stepping into the owlery.

"Oh. Malfoy. Its you. Well, here." Harry said, thrusting the letter at him.

"Charming. I also have one for you." Draco replied, handing over his letter. Harry put it in his pocket without reading it, and called Hedwig down.

"I want you to take this to Professor Lupin for me, ok?" Hedwig gently nipped his ear then flew out the window.

"Are you planning on reading that Potter?" Draco asked coolly, his voice not betraying the hope that Harry would read his letter in front of him, then they could talk. But, this was not going to happen.

"Well, I was going to. But I don't generally read my post in the owlery. I was going back to my room."
" Well then, in that case don't let me keep you from the Mudblood and Weasel."

"Whatever Malfoy. I think you need to realise that they are getting just a tiny bit old."

With that, Harry swept out of the room, with his robes billowing in a way that would make Snape proud.

-- ---

Idiot, Draco thought to himself, once again, you had the perfect freaking opportunity to talk to him. But no. You didn't, did you? Whats wrong wit you? Malfoy pride getting in the way?

-- ---

Why didn't you talk to Malfoy? You could of at leas tread his letter when he asked you to.

Harry tiredly walked back to the common room.

I don't suppose it matters anyway. He wouldn't ever like me, so I should just give up.