Disclaimer: I do not own the song 'Only Hope' by Mandy Moore, Or the song 'Love story' by…whoever it is by lol. But I suggest you read this while listening to one of the two to set the mood.

Chapter Twenty: Only Hope

Harry tossed and turned in the large bed. His mind was turning around what Draco said over and over. He now seemed to be hit with an insight into Draco Malfoy that only he was privy to and it made him feel odd. His heart felt like it was going to explode, warmth was spreading through his body and his right arm was tingly, though Harry figured that the last one was due to the fact that he was resting his head on that arm and it was probably asleep.

He found himself horrified at the abuse that Draco had been put through. Though he had already known, due to the vision, it still made him sick to hear the words coming out of the blonde's mouth. Harry was overcome with an intense want to hold the other boy.

Not just for comfort or to keep him safe but for other reasons that were beyond Harry. He found himself wondering what it would feel like to have Draco in his arms. What it would be like to touch the boy's porcelain skin. Was it as smooth as it looked? These thoughts scared Harry, but as long as he knew that Draco was definitely not having the same thoughts than he was ok.

Other than Harry's overactive mind, another thing was keeping him awake. He hadn't seen Draco since dinner. Dinner was a much quieter affair than it had been two weeks ago but it felt good to be talking again. But shortly after they finished eating, Draco disappeared.

Harry had figured that the boy just needed time to think, but as the hour got later and the night deepened, Harry began to wonder.

Finally giving up his quest for sleep Harry flung off the covers and padded out of the room. He didn't know where to begin to look for the blonde but his feet seemed determined to lead him in a direction anyway.

Harry walked through the cold corridors of Malfoy Manor. He liked Draco's wing much more than his parent's. The walls on this end of the manor were not full of sneering adults but of a few family portraits and quite extraordinary paintings that always look different every time you see them. Whether it's a change of the colour of the mermaid's hair or the number of young girls at the beach. There was always something new.

Harry's feet lead him through the halls and to the staircase. As, he made his way down Harry's ears perked up. There was music coming from somewhere below. Harry stopped following his feet and went by ear. He passed through another corridor with high windows on the left side that sent light from the stars cascading into the hall.

Finally, Harry came to the source of the music. At the end of the corridor on the right side were two large French doors that had been thrown open. Inside the doors was a ballroom. The ballroom had glass doors lining the right wall that opened to a balcony that overlooked the garden and the forest.

The moon shone brightly through the glass doors and bathed the room in light. In the center of the black and white tiled floor was a black grand piano. Sitting at the bench, rocking in time with the beautiful music that was coming from the instrument, was Draco. The moon's light shone on him like a spotlight and gave him an ethereal glow.

Harry watched in stun silence as the blonde played, his long and elegant fingers dancing over the ivory keys as the song hit a crescendo. Then they slowed to a caress as it descended. Draco's body seemed to be alive with the music. It was as if it were his very soul that he was putting into the piano and in turn the instrument converted it to a melody.

The sound was heavenly and the pure amount of heart put into the piece struck a cord deep inside Harry. It was as if this, this right here, the song, the piano, the heart, Draco, they were all coming together to form a key to unlock Harry's heart. Harry didn't remember moving but he soon found himself behind Draco. It was if the song was pushing him forward, calling him. It was as if his footsteps toward Draco were the dance that should be put to the melody.

The blonde was completely oblivious to his audience as his eyes were closed and he was putting his all into the song. When Draco played the high notes, Harry found it hard to breath, as Draco's hands flittered across the keys. When the song came to an end and the last resounding note was played, Harry found himself weighed down.

Harry collapsed on the bench beside Draco, who was suddenly aware of the black-haired boy's presence.

"That was amazing," Harry said breathlessly. Draco bowed his head to hide his blush but Harry saw anyway. He also saw the pleased smile on the other boy's lips.

"My mother loved the piano. Often times, when I was about ten, we would sit here for hours and play. She said she wanted to make sure that music teacher was doing his job. But I always felt that she just liked spending time with me, listening to my music. We would even compose our own things." Draco told Harry softly.

"Mother, why do you sit here and listen to me? You never sit with father." Draco asked his mother. Narcissa Malfoy turned to her son.

"Because, my dear, you have something that your father doesn't." She told him smiling. "You have a soul and it makes you better-"She was cut off as a loud smack echoed through the room. Narcissa's hand went to her reddening cheek and tears welled in her eyes.

"You shouldn't say such things." Draco said sternly. But for as hard as his voice was, his eyes were as soft as clouds. Narcissa understood quickly. The walls of Malfoy Manor had eyes and ears.

"Yes, yes of course. Please forgive my slight. I meant nothing by it." She said quickly. Draco was glad she understood.

"All is forgiven," He said in a way that meant more to his mother than Draco knew.

The pair than turned back to their playing. Narcissa snuck her son a secret smile which he returned.

Harry was left in awe from the story. From the way Draco told of his childhood, one would think that his mother was cold and unfeeling, but in truth, she was simply trying to keep her and her son safe. It was quite fantastical of a thing really. A mother and son having a secret bond, trying to lie low and protect each other from the vicious father, it was like something out of a fairy tale.

Yet, for Draco, it had been his life. Silence stretched between the pair before Harry broke it.

"What song was that? It sounds familiar." He asked, the tingling of a forgotten memory buzzing in the back of his mind. Draco, who seemed to be lost in his memories, brought his attention back to Harry.

"It's called 'Love Story'. Draco answered. "I hear it's often used as a song in muggle music boxes." Harry thought about it and suddenly a snippet of memory overtook him.

It was of his mother. She was sitting in front of a mirror on a vanity and was pinning her long red hair up on top of her head. She was dressed in a yellow dress and had a string of pearls around her neck. On the corner of the vanity was a music box.

It was small and made of a high polished, dark wood. The lid was up and on the underside of the lid was a beautiful garden, a backdrop for the couple that was slowly turning in time to the music.

"My mother had a music box that played that song. My father gave it to her as an engagement present." Harry said softly.

"How can you know that?' Draco questioned his eyes narrowing.

"I don't know," Harry said in the same soft, awed voice as he turned to look at the blonde with wide eyes. "I just do."

The two boys looked at each other for a moment. Harry looked away.

"Can you play me another song?" he asked trying not to sound too eager.

"Um, sure." Draco said, Harry could tell that he was slightly embarrassed but couldn't bring himself to offer the other boy an out. Draco threw back his shoulders and placed his fingers on the keys.

Draco played the first opening notes and then opened his mouth and began to sing.

"There's a song that's inside of my soul,"

His sweet tenor voice made Harry's knees shake.

It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and over and over again.

His hands swept across the keys and produced a driving melody that made Harry's heart light.

So, I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

The notes became louder and more forceful as the song rose and then softer and more delicate as it sank again. Harry's felt as if his very soul was rising and falling.

Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

Draco's clear voice brought more meaning to the words than, Harry thought, would other wise be there. Draco meant what he was singing with all his heart and it made Harry's swell with the privilege.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope.

Draco threw his head back and his voice rose with the notes he was playing.

I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back.

Harry felt as if some of the words Draco was singing were coming from his own soul.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

The notes became louder and held more powerful. Harry felt his heart swell and it left him breathless as Draco finished the song.

hmmmmm, hmmmmm, oooooh.

Draco's hands stilled and he stopped singing. He kept his eyes closed for a moment trying to come back to himself. He often gave so much of himself when he sang and played that he felt as if he were living outside of himself and it took him a while to get grounded once again.

Harry hadn't been the only one whose mind would allow them no peace. After spewing forth his whole life story Draco felt himself feeling jittery and pained. He knew a way to ease his mind but he had promised Harry he wouldn't so he went to his second favorite place in the manor. The small ballroom that housed his piano and he played a song he had learned as a child. It had helped ease his mind and carry him off

As always, Draco's heart felt heavy when he came back but when he opened his eyes and saw Harry staring at him with such intense adoration and awe his heart felt as if it were soaring again.

"Did you like it?" Draco asked. Harry seemed impossible of speech but gave Draco an incredulous look. Draco beamed, pleased that he had rendered Harry speechless. It must have been that and the after effects of putting his entire heart and soul into the song that made him say what he did next. "It was about you, Harry. You're my only hope."

Harry was stunned to hear that the beautiful and powerful song Draco had just sung had been about him, for him. Harry's heart swelled to a new height and he was filled with a light, airy feeling that he couldn't explain. Harry blamed it on that for what he did next.

There wasn't a thought in his head, in fact he wasn't even sure how it happened or who was had started it, but the next thing he knew his lips were on Draco's. The other boy's lips were soft and warm and Harry felt as if every nerve ending in his body had exploded.

Blood was rushing in his ears and every atom was humming as if he body was making its own song. A song to describe the incredible feeling coursing through him that left Harry light headed and wanting more. Harry opened his mouth and let his tongue slid across Draco's bottom lip, savoring the taste and feel and committing every line, dip and crevice to memory.

But the feeling was nothing compared to the sheer fire and heat that wracked through Harry when Draco's tongue touched his. The two muscles quickly curled around each other and slid together in a dance of passion. The intensity of the kiss and of the emotions running through Harry hit an overwhelming point and Harry had to pull away and opened his eyes, which he had shut at some point without realizing it.

Draco's eyes were also shut, his cheeks flushed and his lips were slightly swollen from the kiss. After a moment, the blonde slowly opened his eyes. His grey eyes were smoldering silver and it sent a liquid fire through Harry's body that sent all his blood rushing to his head and futhur south.

The intensity of the entire situation was coming together in a cool pool in the pit of Harry's stomach. It made him feel nauseas and terrified. Without thought, Harry leapt up from the bench, gave one last look at Draco and ran.

Harry didn't know where he was going, all he knew was he had to get away. He had to get to some place where he could make sense of what had just happened. The pictures on the walls and really, the walls themselves were mere blurs to the boy as he sped past.

At last he stopped, his breath coming in short gasps as his lungs pleaded for air. Harry blinked a few times and realized that he had ran back to Draco's room. Harry looked at the door quizzically. It was if there was someone calling him from the other side. Something that compelled him to open the door.

Harry couldn't stop himself. He felt like he had to answer the call, like all the answers were behind the door, waiting for him. Once in Draco's room, the call didn't stop. In fact, the call wasn't coming from the room but from behind one of the doors.

Harry's hand shook as he reached out to turn the knob. He took a deep, calming breath before he pushed open the door.

He was inside Draco's bathroom, and there on the floor, humming softly, was Gideon.

"Ah, Massster Potter. How good to ssssee you." The tile snake hissed in greeting. Harry looked down at it.

"What does it mean?" Harry found himself asking, his voice raising an octave. He wasn't sure what he meant but Gideon seemed to know.

"It isss very sssimple, young Potter." He said. "You are Massster Draco'sss only hope. You are the only one who can sssave him." Harry's head was whirling with the cryptic messages. His frustration was reaching a fevered pitch.

"Save him from what!" Harry yelled.

"Why, from himssself." The great snake answered. Harry felt as if he had just been struck with lightening. Suddenly everything made sense. The dream, the song, and the strange things Helena and Gideon had said. It all made sense, it all came to a head and it all made Harry feel rather overwhelmed.

Harry's legs shook and his knees felt weak. He sank to the floor as his energy drained and his body gave out. A great pressure was pushing against his shoulders and his heart.

It's too much, he thought to himself.

Or is it just enough? Another voice questioned. Harry didn't know what that meant and as he succumbed to fatigue and let the blackness overtake him, he didn't care.

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(an: Since the beginning of this fic I have been preparing for this chapter and here it is. I have searched long and hard for the perfect song, I have tried every idea. But in the end I think that this one ties it all together nicely.

Also I don't know much about music. I was in choir for years upon years and still can't read music lol. So I hope I did ok.)