This is a much need Author's Note: About a week ago, someone left me a review in one of my other stories, pretty much demanding that I update this one ("The Need").

Here's what you need to understand. My real life takes way more precedence than my computer time. I have 2 kids to tend to, not to mention a job that I have to stay awake for from 9 at night until 6 in the morning, 6 days a week. There's no such thing as a vacation from real life for me. Not to mention the fact, like all authors at some point in time, I do suffer from cases of writer's block from time to time. I don't respond to nasty reviews, I make it a point not to. What purpose would it serve?

I know it doesn't help when I keep coming up with other stories in the meantime, but when the bunny bites, I heed the call.

So don't make demands for me to work on something, because that will just make me not do it just to spite you, and it wouldn't be fair to anyone else who's following along with the story. I can't work when I'm pissed. It doesn't make for conductive fic writing when the author is pissed.

So please, for the love of God and all that is Harry & Draco (and possible Severus), have some patience with me. I will start working on my WiPs in my own time, when I have the time and if I'm not suffering from writer's block. Even if that means I don't update for weeks. There are other stories besides mine that are worth reading. Add me or this story to your alerts and go find them. You'll be glad you did.

My apologies for this long A/N but this needed to be said. And now back to our regularly scheduled program...

She knocked on the door to the study three times.

"Enter." she heard in Draco's unmistakable drawl. Taking a deep breath, knowing that what she was doing was for Harry's benefit, she opened the door and stepped inside.

Draco wasn't at his desk like she thought. Instead, he was sitting in a windowed alcove, staring at what she assumed was nothing. As she moved closer, she realized he had a perfect view of the back gardens...and Harry. Harry, for the most part, was still sitting where she had left him. Every few moments she saw his shoulders move upwards then relax to their former position. She recognized that he was sighing. He only did that when he was thinking hard about something.

"Lady Hermione, you wish to speak to me, I presume?"

Draco had caught her staring at him staring at Harry.

"Yes." she nodded. "Why exactly did you wed Harry?"

"He is my other half. He completes me in a way no one ever has before." he answered immediately.

"Do you love him?"

"I supposed so."

"You suppose so?" she gaped. "There is no 'suppose'. You either do or you don't. I will not allow you to play with his emotions like a puppet on a string, sir!" she scowled.

Draco stared at her for several long minutes, coming to a nasty and uncomfortable conclusion. And he voiced it aloud.

"You want him for yourself!" he exclaimed, hoping against hope he was wrong.

"You are insane!" she exclaimed.

"You love him, do you not?"

"Of course I do!" she exclaimed. "He's been my best friend since we were 7 years old. He's everything to me."

"Then why didn't you marry him, then?"

"Christ you are a thick one, aren't you?" she snapped. "One – he's gay. Two – I'm straight. Three – he's like a brother to me so that's disgusting. Four – what part of he loves you did you not understand? Five – The Weasleys would have your head. They wouldn't let you get within 5 steps of their front door. Your father nearly ruined their lives." Hermione huffed without thought. And blushed to the roots of her hair when she realized that her last statement had nothing to do with the current topic of conversation.

Draco looked thoughtful.

"Funny you should mention The Weasleys. Their youngest son, Ronald, is my personal retainer."

"What?" Hermione couldn't believe it. From what she knew about The Weasleys, they hated anyone with the Malfoy name with a passion. Could she be wrong?

"Ronald Weasley is in my employ and has been for several years. Voluntarily, might I add."

"You're lying!" she exclaimed, overplaying her hand. Draco's eyes gleamed speculatively.

"Ah, so it's Ronald you fancy. Interesting." Hermione was speechless again. "But you came here to discuss Harry and myself." He pointed to the chair opposite himself and she sat down, grateful Draco had returned the topic back to Harry.

"I just want to know what your plans are. I don't like seeing him upset."

"I didn't realize he was upset." Draco muttered.

"M'Lord, please hear me out. I know Harry loves you, he's told me so but..." she trailed off.

"But what?"

"I shouldn't be telling you this. Harry would kill me for betraying his trust, but you need to know what he's gone through and understand what he feels."

"Lady Hermione, please tell me what you know." Draco begged. Hermione took a deep sigh.

"When we were 13 years old, Harry was nearly raped." she stated. That was the last thing Draco expected to hear and his heart clenched painfully.

"What did you say?"

"We were in the village picking up supplies from the market when we were set upon by Dudley Dursley and his group. Harry had run-ins with them before and told me to run for help. So I ran, but not before they had grabbed him and beat him black and blue. I got the rest of the story from one of the witnesses. Once he was defenseless, they stripped him." She took another breath.

"I returned with Remus just as Dudley was about to penetrate Harry. I could hear Harry screaming in agony. I will never forget that sound for as long as I live. I didn't even think about the consequences to myself. I launched myself at him and began pulling his hair and scratching his face, anything to get him off Harry. His friends ran away but the constable caught them quickly. I had to be pulled away from Dudley. Once I knew Dudley was taken away, I went to Harry. He knew I was there, even though both his eyes were swollen shut. It took him a month to recover from his injuries. It took 2 years before the nightmares went away."

"Was he...I mean...is he..." Draco couldn't get the words out, he was so horrified.

"If I had been one second too late, he wouldn't be." Hermione replied softly. Draco leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.

"Fuck!" he suddenly swore, running his fingers through his hair.

"M'Lord, I know you won't force him, but please...have patience with him."

"I shall try, if he'll let me." Draco nodded.

"Then you are more of a gentleman than I thought you were." She stood, curtsied regally and left him to his thoughts.

Draco waited until she was gone before giving into his emotions and bursting into tears. His Harry had been through so much and was a stronger person for it. He wiped his eyes and turned to stare out the window once more.

"Before this week is out, I will make you happier than you've ever been." he vowed to himself.

- - -

As she promised, Hermione called Harry in for lunch.

He was surprised at how disappointed he felt when he discovered he'd be lunching with his mother-in-law alone.

"Draco had some business to attend to in the village and will be back for supper." she told him.

"Oh." Harry mumbled, trying not to let his hurt show. He didn't see the small smile on Narcissa's face.

- - -

Just as lunch ended, Nigel brought a message for Harry, along with a single green and white lily. He opened the note addressed to him.

-You are to meet me at Madame Malkin's Opera House at half eight this evening.

Wear your best.

Draco

Harry resisted the urge to grin. He'd never been to an opera before. He'd heard about them but Remus had too many obligations and no free time to take him.

"I see I shall be dining alone this eve." Narcissa smiled.

"I'm sorry, Mother Malfoy. I could stay." Harry stated, meaning his words.

"Nonsense, Harry. You need to spend more time with Draco if you two are to co-exist. You go and have a good time. I think a nap is in order for you. I'll have Lady Hermione wake you in time to get ready."

Surprising himself and his mother-in-law, he made his way to her side and kissed her cheek before heading to his room. He'd slept very little the night before, expecting Draco to knock down the door and have his way. But nothing of the sort occurred.

He was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, a small smile on his face and Draco's name on his lips.