Just To See You
By Darkmeadow777
Chapter 9: Beginnings

"When my feelings start to show
When my body tells me so, I know it's true
It's beginning to feel like, beginning to feels like love
Like the sun on my skin on a hot summers day
Like a song in my head that won't go away
Like the smile on my face 'cos you make me happy"
It's Beginning To Feel Like Love Lyrics by Mis-Teeq

Harry stood with his hands on Draco's back watching Draco's face carefully. His eyes were shut tight and he was breathing heavily. Harry's imagination went into over-drive, which did not help his current situation. Harry shook his head to clear it.

"I guess I must be better at massage then I thought. Or you just don't like Linde? Or was it my manly presence? Just which way do you swing, Mr. Malfoy?" Harry said with humor clear in his voice. It wasn't everyday that you could taunt your old rival.

"Would that bother you?" gasped Draco.

Harry silently cheered. "Not at all. I would make a very poor homosexual if I was a homophobe."

"Wait, you're gay, too?" Draco groaned.

"Would that bother you?" Harry shot back. Inside he was a bit scared of Draco's response. He held his breath.

"I guess not. Right now it does given my current situation," Draco gasped.

"You want me to leave?" asked Harry, breathing again. Then unable to stop himself, he added with a smirk, "Or do you want some 'assistance'?"

"Can you even say that to a patient?" Draco asked, annoyed. "Don't get me wrong - I like men, but you're Harry Potter. That thought is still repugnant to me."

"I'd say very 'repugnant' . . . given your current situation," Harry snapped back with a smirk.

"Just show me to a fucking bathroom."

"Alright," said Harry grabbing Draco's gown.

Draco sat up and Harry didn't even try to divert his eyes. He helped Draco into his gown and led him over to the bathroom.

"Do you want me to wait here?"

"Just get out, Harry."

"Okay," said Harry and walked out and shut the door behind him trying not to think about what was going on inside.


"Problem?" asked Ron confused.

"Yes. With Harry," said Hermione.

"What's wrong? I thought he seemed really happy lately."

"He is, but he's in love with one of his patients!"

". . . Why is that a problem?" Ron asked.

"It's not."

"Eh? I'm confused. You said we have a problem. Where's the problem, then?"

"Harry will eventually figure out that he's in love. But when he does, he's going to freak out because he won't want to put that person in danger. He won't pursue it, then they will both be broken hearted and Harry will be miserable again," said Hermione in her calm, teaching voice.

". . . So we should stop Harry from figuring out he's in love?"

"NO! Ron! We have to be supportive! We have to be reassuring! I've never seen Harry so happy before!"

"But what if it doesn't work out between them?"

"Then Harry will at least know what love is like and that he can love. Besides, Voldemort is AWOL. That will give them some time."

Ron cringed. "Do you think he's ready? To battle . . . him?"

"For god's sake, say his name! I do. He duels with all the best Aurors and wins easily. He's powerful, but what he needs is faith in love. That's how he's going to win against such evil. Voldemort has always underestimated the power of love, but he knows how to use it against us . . .," Hermione trailed off.

"But we love Harry."

"Yes, but in a completely different way."

"But it's still love."

"Yes, but he needs to experience what we have," said Hermione gently, placing her hand over Ron's.

"So what are we going to do?"

Hermione's lips curved upwards in a mischievous smile.


After what seemed like an age, the bathroom door opened and Draco came out still very red in the face.

"Did you want to continue with the massage? Or wait until Linde comes back," Harry asked innocently.

Going redder in the face, Draco muttered something with only the word "Linde" comprehensible.

Not missing the chance to embarrass Draco Malfoy again, Harry said, "Did you just turn red, Draco? You are! If you were any redder then you would look like a tomato!"

"Shut up, Harry," Draco muttered. "I'm sure it would have happened to you, too."

"Really? I'm sure you would like to put that theory to work," said Harry cockily.

"You know, I really don't like this whole 'confidence' thing you seemed to have caught on to."

"Oh, but I'm enjoying this so much!" said Harry. Draco could hear the words come from a bright smile.

Draco opened his mouth for another scathing retort, but the door opened and Linde walked in.

"Oh, are you done, Harry? Front and back?" Linde looked impressed.

"Uh, we had a . . . problem spring up," replied Harry.

A look of comprehension crossed Linde's face. "Oh! Right. Well, I think that I'll just finish the massage and Harry can take mental notes and do it tomorrow. How does that sound, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco's only reply was to turn brighter red.

Harry led Draco back to the table face up. Linde rubbed the oil into her hands and said, "Harry, we won't do the front today because it's done just like the back. We'll, just move on to arms and legs." Linde started run her hands along Draco's arms while saying, "It's the same basic principal – smooth and flowing strokes towards the heart and ended with your hand massage."

By the time she had finished the massage, Draco was nearly asleep. Linde motioned for Harry to follow her outside. When she closed the door, she said, "Harry, whatever you did to, uh, get a rise out of him you should tone that down because he's not just going to let you continue with a hard on. It's really embarrassing for him and if that happens every time he's not going to progress as fast as we like. And he's going to connect the feeling of embarrassment with the massages and then he's not going to enjoy them."

"Hey, I was just doing what you told me! It's probably not helping that he's gay, too," Harry defended himself.

"Oh, alright, then! Just lighten your touch and try not to be so . . . sensual."

"You know I've never ever thought of myself as 'sensual'," said Harry.

"Well, it probably doesn't help that he likes you," said Linde bluntly.

Harry's brain stopped for a moment. "Wait! He likes me!" said Harry astonished.

"Man, guys are clueless. I'm amazed that guys continue to evolve with brains because you sure as hell don't use them! See you around Harry," said Linde shaking her head and heading for her office.

Harry stood dumbfounded for a minute trying to comprehend what Linde had said. He needed to talk to Hermione.

Harry re-entered the room to see Draco asleep and snoring ever so softly. Harry smiled endearingly and sat down on the chair to wait until Draco woke up. The smile brightened as Harry thought, 'he likes me!'

Harry took Draco back to his room over an hour later, said goodbye and then left for his building.


Harry knocked on Hermione's door for the second time that day and was greeted with the smiling girl. Harry noted that something was different about that smile. It looked almost predatory.

"Oh, hi, Harry! Two visits in one day! What brings you over again?" said Hermione with a bright, fake smile.

Harry still didn't feel very comfortable talking about being in love with other men when Ron was in the room. He gave Ron credit for taking it well when he came out almost a year ago. Hermione had said it was dream come true as she always hoped to have a gay best friend. "I, uh, wanted to talk to you," said Harry awkwardly, glancing at Ron.

Catching on immediately, Hermione said, "Ron could you . . ."

Ron looked slightly put out, but Hermione nodded frantically toward the door from behind Harry's back.

Ron's demeanor changed quickly and he said, brightly, "Oh! Well, I was just going to go and get us some . . . milk! Right, I'll catch you up, Harry."

After Ron left, Hermione dragged Harry across to the sitting area where some tea was already waiting. Harry noted that the milk jug was full. His heart swelled at the fact that he had such understanding friends.

"So, Harry what did you want to talk to me about?" said Hermione with a fake quizzical expression.

"Well, you know the blind guy that I told you about?" said Harry fidgeting with his hands, his eyes downcast.

Hermione nodded and Harry continued on, "Well, I think he likes me."

Hermione waited for a moment to see if Harry was going to elaborate and when he didn't she said, "And do you like him?"

"Yeah, but I really shouldn't," said Harry quickly.

"Well, he might be one of your patients, but you can't choose who you fall in love with, Harry. Your heart knowswho is good for you, so let it lead you.Besides he won't be in the hospital forever."

"Well, it's not even the patient thing. It's who he is," said Harry in a pained voice.

"It's good to be in love, Harry! So who is he?" said Hermione eagerly.

Harry sighed, despondently, and said, "Keep in mind; I really do like him and he's different now."

"Okay . . . so you've met him before? I have I?" asked Hermione, her interest peaked.

"Don't freak out alright?" asked Harry. "Promise."

"Promise, Harry," said Hermione promptly.

"I – I think I'm in love with . . . Draco Malfoy."

A/N: If I have offended anyone with Linde's male comment, I didn't mean to!