Usual Disclaimer: Unfortunately this world and its wonderful inhabitants do not belong to me, they belong to J. K. Rowling, I'm just borrowing them. I am making no money from this it is purely for the enjoyment of those few who choose to read it. Thanks J. K. for lending me your ready made world of magic.

A/N: A HUGE Thank You to all who reviewed the last chapter and an extra special thanks to those who continue to read this story after the horrendous wait for an update. I can do no better than apologise profusely and hope I am forgiven.

Also in order to get this posted quickly, it has not been subjected to the rigorous beta-ing that my other chapters have so once again I beg forgiveness for any errors.

Oh, an in the light of the sixth book... I've decided to ignore it, the same as I ignore all plot points that don't suit my twisted imagination so there are no spoilers, neither is there any attention paid to developments in the new book. :-)

Enjoy

MB

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After a few more games of chess and chatting to Ron for a while Harry left the library and headed to his and Draco's room where he found a very naked Draco waiting for him.

He raised an eyebrow and Draco grinned.

"I see you started without me."

"Hm and if you don't join me soon I shall continue without you." Draco informed him.

Harry didn't need to be warned twice and wasted no time in stripping down and joining his mate in the enticing warmth of their bed.

They decided that they would stay in bed as long as possible the next morning to delay the inevitable separation that lay ahead but as it reached mid-morning, Hermione knocked on the door and demanded that they get up. They dressed slowly and left their room where Hermione and Ron met Harry and led him to the kitchen to prepare lunch as it was almost twelve thirty and Ginny met Draco and led him to the library to finish her last potions assignment.

Having their minds on the tasks set was a great help in their separation and lunch was soon prepared and on the kitchen table. Lunch went smoothly and then they separated again. Draco's mind was occupied with the completion of Ginny's homework although he was constantly aware of Harry's longing and discomfort as he sat in the living room trying and failing to keep his attention on a movie. It was a relief for Harry when it finally came time to start preparing dinner as it once again gave him something to focus on.

After dinner Harry and Draco were free to be together as agreed and they felt the day had not been too bad. Their tattoos had been slightly restless and they had both been constantly aware of each other's feelings but other than that they had survived pretty well and they allowed themselves to relax in each others arms for the rest of the night.

The next day however was harder. Boredom overtook them and they became highly restless both pacing the rooms they were confined unable to concentrate on anything. Their bond protested far more and there was higher passion when they were reunited after dinner than the day before. They dreaded he next day far more than they had at the end of their first day of separation.

As with many things their separation anxieties got worse before they got better. Their third day of separation was one full extreme and agonising waiting. They practically had to be restrained at lunch and at the end of the day they skipped in favour of their bedroom. The fourth day was much the same - they hated being apart but when they were together they were content with just that - being together. However the next day brought a welcome disruption of their routine. They woke early and moved their stuff into different rooms, as there would be different sleeping arrangements that night. Draco, Hermione and Ginny were to share, Harry and Ron would share, Fred and George would have a room as they were staying but only to wave them off on the train the next day and of course Molly and Arthur would have a room to themselves. When the rest of the Weasley family arrived Harry was aware that Arthur had been 'informed' of his and Draco's 'situation' but was glad to see that it had not affected his manner towards Harry in the slightest. In fact there was hardly any indication that he knew at all and if Molly had not told the boys he was aware they would never have guessed. Harry was glad of it and revelled in the company of his family. Draco could not help but smile as he watched the happy gleam in his mates' eyes as he talked animatedly to his family about their summers. He wouldn't admit it if he was asked but he was eternally grateful for being accepted into the family fold even if it did mean becoming the butt of a few of Fred and Georges jokes. He felt included in everything and it seemed a novelty to him but he finally felt happy.

"I can't believe it's our last night in Grimmauld." Ginny voiced as they sat down together after dinner.

"I can't believe it's our last year at Hogwarts." Hermione added.

"Everything seems to have gone so quickly." Harry sighed. He hardly even noticed that he was sitting quite comfortably at the opposite end of the room to Draco and neither of them seemed to mind. "I don't just mean this summer but the whole six years at Hogwarts too. It's all just a whirl of memories."

"It's as we feared. You've gone soft Harry!" George exclaimed, lightening the mood and everyone, including Harry, laughed.

"Here's to taking things as they come." Arthur proposed a toast with his glass of ginger beer and everyone followed suit.

As the night drew on, despite all the laughing and joking, Harry began to think about the night that lay ahead of him without Draco and the whole of the next day when the real trial would begin. Draco sat across the room thinking similar thoughts.

"Is it hard?" Ron asked when they went to their room that night. "Just being apart?"

"Yes." Harry answered truthfully.

"Well I can't pretend I understand but I'm sorry it's so hard for you."

"Thanks Ron." Harry smiled appreciating the sentiment.

"So what's going to happen when we get to Hogwarts?"

"I honestly don't know. All I know is that it's going to be difficult. It seems strange to be worrying about it after spending so much time together this summer."

"What's strange is that it's not so strange having M..Draco as a friend." Harry smiled, Ron was really making an effort for him. "I suppose you get to do the sneaking around bit for a while." Ron tried to offer something positive.

"Yeah I suppose we do." Harry smiled. Maybe it could be fun after all. "Same as you and 'Mione." He added with a smirk. He drifted off to sleep with the comforting thought that maybe things would be just fine after all, plus he had a very useful orb stashed away in his Hogwarts trunk.

Hurry up. Hurry up. Always rushing at the last second!" Molly ushered them through the barrier onto platform nine and three quarters. Harry turned to look back at the barrier as soon as he was through onto the platform. He sighed in relief when Remus and Arthur arrived through the barrier with a person-sized space between them where Harry knew Draco stood under a Disillusionment charm. Remus and Arthur smiled at him briefly before Molly hurried him along to where Ron and Hermione were piling their trunks into an empty compartment. Harry couldn't help but be distracted from the usual hustle and bustle of Hogwarts students as he wondered where Draco would be for the rest of the train journey. Molly gave them all stranglehold strength hugs before the whistle was blown and the train began to move away from the platform. Harry smiled and waved at Fred, George, Molly and Arthur and did not fail to notice that Remus was no longer with them. As the train sped along towards Hogwarts and the usual journey boredom kicked in, so did a dull ache in Harry's chest. He knew he was beginning to suffer form Draco's prolonged absence.

"Harry!" Hermione brought his focus back to his friends.

"Hmm? What?"

"What are you going to do without any OWL's?" She asked, referring to the fact that due to circumstances at the end of their last term at Hogwarts, neither he nor Draco had been able to sit their OWL exams.

"We've got meetings with Dumbledore and McGonagall. They're going to get assessments our coursework and homework from last year and they'll decide if we can take the NEWT's or not." Harry explained what he had been told. Hermione nodded. "What about Draco, he can't go to classes with the Slytherins? Come to think of it, he can't eat at the Slytherin table either." She pointed out.

"I don't know. We'll find out when we get there I suppose." Harry mused.

"What do you want to take this year?" Ron asked.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts obviously, Transfiguration and Charms, probably Herbology and I'll probably be stuck with Astronomy or something because Snape will never let me take Potions. What about you?"

"We've already had our choices confirmed after our OWL results. I'm Taking Arithmancy, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Transfiguration. Ron is taking the same as you, obviously." She rolled her eyes.

"Hermione thinks there was a marking error just because I got and 'Exceeds Expectations' in Potions. It's not my fault the tested on the only potion I actually studied."

"Sheer luck." Hermione stated. "What about Draco." She looked to Harry.

"I don't really know." Harry admitted sheepishly. " We didn't really talk about school much."

"I don't think you talked about much full stop." Ginny giggled and Harry tried to stop the blush rising to his cheeks.

"Ginny!" Ron protested.

"Wait...! Did either of you take Care Of Magical Creatures?" Hermione asked suddenly. Harry and Ron both shook their heads. "Hagrid is going to be upset."

"I'm sure he'll understand our other subjects are more important in our final year." Harry said hopefully.

"And we'll still go and visit him." Ron contributed as the tried to justify their choices. "I'm sure he'll be fine.

They lapsed into a thoughtful silence and as Harry's mind began to drift, he was soon asleep and dreaming of some of the highlights of his summer with Draco. He woke up and found he was alone in the compartment, or so it seemed. He realised his trousers were a little strained from the rather enjoyable dream he'd been having and he hoped that it was not the reason his friends had left.

"Missed me?" A voice whispered close to his ear and Harry smiled, immediately recognising it.

"It would seem so." Harry replied with a smile.

"So I see."

"Where is everyone?" Harry asked, tilting his head as the invisible Draco began to kiss his neck.

"Prefect and Head Girl duties and Ginny's with her friends. Lupin let me of the leash for half an hour so lets stop wasting it by talking." Draco breathed as his fingers stroked harry through the material of his trousers. Feeling he might look a bit perverted if anyone were to look into the compartment, Harry pointed his wand at the glass partition and cast a spell that would prevent anyone from seeing in but allowed them to see out if any danger were to arrive. "Speculum Iniquus."

"What?" Draco asked.

"One way mirror." Harry explained breathlessly then he removed Draco's Disillusionment charm.

"My aren't we talented?" Draco murmured as Harry looked into his eyes.

"You don't know the half of it." Harry responded.

"Well I shall just have to change that then wont I?"

"I would expect nothing less." Their unnecessary conversation was then quelled as they pushed their lips together in a harsh kiss. With the door locked and the passers by oblivious to the goings on inside the compartment, Harry and Draco continued to make up for their night apart.

"Hi Remus." Harry greeted him as he opened the door to the compartment to let him in.

"Hello Harry. Draco." He greeted them, closing the door behind him. He couldn't help but be grateful that they were fully clothed. "Hate to break up the reunion but I think I better take Draco back to our compartment and you better get into your Hogwarts robes Harry we'll be there soon.

"Eugh do I have to be disillusioned again?"

"Afraid so." Lupin smiled. Draco folded his arms.

"But you're denying people my outrageously good looks!" He protested

"Yeah and you're outrageously big head!" Harry snorted.

"Shut it you or you or I shall find it impossible not to let slip to your friends that you like to be the girl in this relationship." Draco threatened and Harry turned scarlet with embarrassment.

"Enough. That I did not need to know! I would prefer that details like that to kept well out of my earshot!" Remus wrinkled his nose and in retaliation tapped Draco on the head with his wand so that he blended flawlessly with their surroundings.

"Hey that tap was harder than necessary!" He complained.

"Come on lets go." Remus lifted the mirror spell and opened the door, leading Draco out of the compartment and leaving Harry to put on his Hogwarts robes.

"Ron! 'Mione!" Harry attracted his friends' attention and they moved towards the carriage he was standing at that would take them up to the castle. When they got to him they were bickering about how Ron had not confiscated dungbombs when he should have.

"Well what am I supposed to do with you undermining my authority all the time?" He complained as they climbed into the Thestral-drawn carriage.

"Undermining your authority? Ha! Ron, being a prefect means you are supposed to be more responsible than the first years." Hermione scoffed.

"Guys!" Harry called a stop to their arguing. "I thought this silly bickering might stop when you got together! Please make an effort for the sake of my sanity!" He said dramatically pretending to have a mental meltdown.

"Sorry Harry." Ron laughed and even Hermione smiled at his childish acting.

"You seem happier now." Ron commented on Harry's cheerfulness and Hermione looked at Harry calculatingly.

"Harry! I knew we shouldn't have left you alone!" Hermione scolded.

"What?" Ron looked confused.

"So how is Draco?" Hermione asked helpfully.

"Ew! On the train? Ew that is gross!" Ron voiced in realising what she meant.

"Ron! What must you think of me?" Harry asked with feigned innocence and mock horror.

Ron rolled his eyes and Harry laughed.

"Mr Potter the Headmaster wishes to speak to you in his office. You are to go there now and wait for him, there will be dinner and liquorice wheels there for you and Professor Dumbledore will join you after his speech." Professor McGonagall informed him when they reached the castle. "Now I must go see to the first years. Let's hope nobody fell in the lake this year." She said as she left them, a rarely seen glint of humour in her eyes.

"Looks like I'm destined to miss yet another sorting ceremony." Harry rolled his eyes. "See you in the common room later?"

"We'll wait up." Ron assured him and Harry jogged off in the direction of Dumbledore's office.

"Liquorice wheels." Harry gave the password and went into the headmasters' office where Remus and Draco were already settled in chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. He was there only a matter of moments and was about to sit down when he was tackled in to the chair.

"What the..!" His glasses were knocked askew and he struggled to focus on what had attacked him. "Dobby!" He exclaimed as the Houself clambered off him and he replaced his glasses. Houselfs really had no concept of hugs.

"Dobby?" Draco stared.

"Ah!... Master...No. Eek!" Dobby spluttered. "I brought you dinner." He squeaked unsure of who to look at or talk to.

"It's okay Dobby. Draco is my friend. He's like you, he doesn't take orders from Mr Malfoy anymore."

"Bad man." Dobby burst out in a jerk reaction to hearing his old masters name then immediately clapped his hands over his mouth and stared at Draco, awaiting a punishment.

"It's okay, you're quite right." Draco laughed. Dobby slowly dropped his hands. "Don't look so worried, I don't have any control over you anymore."

"That's right! Dobby is a free Houself now." He puffed out his chest importantly. "And Mr Dumblydore pays Dobby for his help and Dobby can buy socks!" He stated excitedly.

"Erm... that's great Dobby." Draco looked to Harry unsure what else to say. Remus just sat smiling serenely, observing the situation.

"Dobby must go now I will be needed in the kitchen. Bye-bye Harry Potter sir and Harry Potters Malfoy friend." And with a crack Harry's favourite, if not a little eccentric, Houself was gone.

"You know my f... Lucius was in such a rage when you got him dismissed." Draco laughed.

"I know and with my sock!"

"Is that where the excitement over socks came from? Did you see what he was wearing!"

Harry just laughed. Dobby had been wearing a shrunken Weasley Christmas jumper, one pink sock and one yellow one, and the customary tea cosy hat in a floral pattern.

They tucked into the sandwiches and pumpkin juice Dobby had brought them, content to be in each other's company and barely noticing Remus observing them with a fatherly smile.

Their plates had been gone barely seconds before Dumbledore graced them with his presence.

"Good evening gentlemen." He greeted them taking his seat behind his desk. "I do believe there are a few things to discuss this evening. Help yourself to sherbet lemons." He added, pushing the bowl of bright yellow sweets towards them. Harry and Draco declined while Remus accepted and Harry realised he had been very quiet and wondering if he and Draco had done something to upset him. His smile however did not suggest he was upset about anything. Harry resolved to ask later and turned his attention back to Dumbledore.

"First of all," he began in an ominous tone that made Harry and Draco exchange glances, "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you both. On your recent trip to Diagon Alley, you were followed by a spy of Lord Voldemort." Harry bit his lip and looked to Draco wishing he could cross the short distance between them and curl up on his lap seeking safety and comfort. "It seems, however, that he is not aware of the full situation, only that there is a relationship and some form of connection between you. His inclination is towards a telepathic link of some sort and we hope that it will stay that way for a while at least. I advise you to warn the select few who do know the full extent of the situation to be on their guard. He will try to find out more and for the moment we cannot be sure where his ears are." Dumbledore gave them a meaningful look. "Next on the agenda." He moved swiftly on, not giving them time to react, they would have plenty of time to talk about it later. "You both have meetings with Professor McGonagall tomorrow morning after breakfast in order to finalise you timetables. As for arrangements for the year ahead, they are as follows: Mr Malfoy will have his own living quarters where he will sleep, eat and study - he will not be joining another House as we are trying to avoid disruption and suspicion. He will not share any classes with the Slytherins to avoid any threat - although this is precautionary as they are likely to possess a fear of exposing the reason they are rejecting you, the reason we must make assumptions of some of our Slytherin pupils to reach." He paused and looked to Harry and Draco to make sure the were following everything. "House emblems have been removed from his robes and he will not be able to receive or lose House points - unfortunate as it is Mr Malfoy no longer holds loyalty to any Hogwarts House. This also means he is removed from the Slytherin Quidditch team." Draco looked crestfallen and also resented the fact that Dumbledore was speaking so factually and as if he were not in the room.

"But Sir couldn't we just use the Sorting Hat and re-sort him."

"It is a good Idea in theory Harry but I'm afraid that putting Mr Malfoy into another House may cause resentment and rivalry that we do not need in these times." He smiled apologetically before continuing.

"There are certain rules that we must go through concerning Mr Malfoy's new living quarters. First of all they are not to be abused. Any comings and goings are to be discreet." He looked meaningfully at them and Harry had to suppress a smile from rising to his lips. "Only select few should be trusted with the location as it will be disguised and we don't want to have to move you through carelessness." Draco nodded he didn't particularly want any of his former classmates finding him where he would be alone and vulnerable.

"Generally, people will be aware that something has occurred, they will know that Mr Malfoy has stood against the Dark Lord but that is all they shall know. I will be keeping an eye on things and we should all try to keep details thin on the ground and try to avoid the rumour mills that seem to find themselves at home in this castle. I don't need to warn you that you should be seen together as little as possible or, even better, not at all. I know this is a lot to take in." He smiled at them and wrapped up his speech. "But I suppose all that is left is to warn you to be very vigilant and ask Remus, our resident Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, to show Mr Malfoy to his new quarters.