Part 4: Indecision, Decision

When Harry awoke the following morning, he was still no closer to a decision about Draco then he was when he returned home the night before. He stared up at the ceiling of his room, thinking.

The Draco Malfoy of Today was an exact opposite of The Draco Malfoy of 10 Years Ago. Yesterday's Draco would never have hesitated to dog Harry's every step, hurling insults with well-practiced timing. Today's Draco was shy and quiet, going out of his way to not even look Harry in the eyes. He seemed shocked when Harry had kissed him. Oh sure, he kissed him back but there was something missing in that kiss. Harry just couldn't figure out what it was - for the moment.

He heard his aunt moving around but made no effort to get up just yet.

Maybe he should have told Draco about how much he'd missed seeing him the last 10 years. In his dreams, he could always see and hear the way Draco hissed his name, the now-famous Malfoy Sneer firmly in place. He always imagined kissing that sneer right off his face and maybe replacing it with one of pure, unadulterated desire for one Mr Harry James Potter. He wondered if he'd ever get the chance.

"Harry, breakfast!' his aunt called. He looked at the electronic clock on his bedside table and, to his surprise, discovered he'd lain about in bed like a lazy slug for over an hour. Resigned, he got to his feet and headed off for a quick shower.

Feeling somewhat more human after dressing and trying to tame his untameable hair, he went into the kitchen. Aunt Petunia was sitting at the table, sipping her tea and reading the morning paper. She'd set out a plate for him, his edition of The Morning Prophet next to his orange juice. Hedwig, sitting in her perch near the open window, hooted at him in greeting. He stroked her feathers and nipped her a piece of sausage. He kissed his aunt's cheek then sat down, piling a couple of waffles on his plate. She set her cup down and eyed him critically.

"You all right, love?"

"I'm fine, Aunt Petunia." He poured syrup on his waffles.

"You don't look it."

"Just trying to sort some things out in my head, is all."

"Something to do with last night?"

"Yes."

"You can talk to me, if you'd like."

"I met an old school chum, yesterday. Well, he wasn't exactly a chum back then. I'm not quite sure what he is now." he shrugged.

"Was it that Malfoy character you're always going on about in your sleep?" she asked. Harry, who'd just stuck a forkful of waffles in his mouth, promptly choked, spraying crumbs all over the table.

"I've been talking in my sleep?" he finally managed to say, after downing a healthy dose of orange juice. She nodded. His face went the color of a tomato. He'd never been so mortified in his entire life, not even when Dudley made him drop trousers in front of all his schoolmates when he was 7.

"How much did you...uh...hear?"

"Enough." was her answer.

"Merlin save me!" he groaned, covering his overheated face with his hands. Petunia laughed, noting his discomfort.

"It's all right, Harry." she started, covering his hand with her own across the table. "I told you I was not going to judge you for being gay and I meant it." His aunt continued to surprise him with her open support of his lifestyle.

"Thank you, Auntie." he smiled for the first time that day. She returned his smile, warmly.

"Now tell me what's bothering you. Did he do something?"

"No. It's more like what he didn't do. And I don't quite know how to fix it."

"What happened?" she asked again.

"I kissed him. But it - there was something missing."

"Did he return it?"

"Not really. The frame of mind was there but not the attitude. He's changed."

"It's been 10 years, Harry. Do you honestly think that 10 years ago you and I would be sitting here, simply talking, sharing a flat like civilized people?"

"It never crossed my mind." he admitted. He'd thought his aunt would always remain with his git of an uncle and a fat pig of a cousin.

"War does things to people, love. Sometimes it completely destroys an individual until nothing is left, sometimes it makes them look at life a little differently."

"Maybe he feels guilty for killing his parents and letting me live. They were his blood kin, yet he chose me. I still don't understand that one."

"Maybe he does feel some guilt for that. But maybe that under shadows his reasons for saving you."

"What do you think I should do?" He was more confused than ever.

"Be his friend, Harry. That's as good a start as any. And I bet he'd appreciate it all the more and break out of this shell he's cast around himself." He nodded and tucked back into his breakfast.

After telling his aunt he'd be home for lunch, he bundled up and headed outside. The bitter November wind chilled him instantly and he pulled his hood up over his ears. He knew he could have Apparated to the bookstore, but he enjoyed the walk into Surrey Proper. It gave him a chance to think.