Hey everybody! SO sorry for the long wait, but I've been working on future chapters trying to get more typed up to get them to you more frequently. So I've been stressed, tired, frustrated and writer-blocked for a bit. There were time when I broke down and didn't know if I could do it anymore. Not for lack of inspiration I want to finish this and the sequel that will come, but for the stress I've been under. So if you want to drop me a line and rant about the lateness of this chapter go ahead, because I dearly deserve it. Also, thank you for all the wonderful reviews, but new reviewers and old.

Now, on with the chapter!

Chapter 17: Attraction, Avoidance, an Apology and a Kiss

He dreamt that he was holding something warm to his chest; lithe arms wound tightly around whatever it was. Breathing in through his nose he could smell the faintest traces of what smelled like peaches. As he nuzzled into the back of whatever he held he slowly became aware of two things. One was that he wasn't exactly dreaming and two was that the warm thing he held was a person, and by the sight of blond hair he knew it was Draco. He made no immediate movement as he realized he was spooned behind Draco, holding the blond to him. As he slowly woke up a little more he found himself disinclined to move and nuzzled a bit more into the back of the pale neck.

This is really nice, he thought somewhat sluggishly. He could tell by the even breathing that Draco was still asleep and he thought that best as opposed to explaining any awkwardness that may rise, away. He pressed up a bit tighter to the other boy, letting the attraction he had felt before but dismissed take over. Draco was warm against him and Harry pressed his nose into the blond hair, inhaling. There was that faint trace of peach he had smelt. He ran a hand lightly over Draco's stomach and felt him move slightly. He could feel himself growing aroused from the proximity, and was glad Draco wasn't awake to feel his half hard length press into him. He stopped, and slowly and carefully removed his arms from the blond and moved back over in the bed, away from his friend. He sighed and turned on his side facing away from Draco.

He hadn't been with another male since his last night at a rave during the summer. He had secretly checked out some of the other guys in the school and found some quite attractive but hadn't made a move to do anything else. He hadn't wanted to intertwine his rave time with his Hogwarts life. The time during the summer he had spent going to raves was a time when he was free. Free from obligations, free from Voldemort, free from the Wizarding World, and he didn't want to mix that with his Hogwarts life where he was the Boy-Who-Lived, a savior. If he let his attraction to Draco become more he wouldn't be keeping his two worlds separate, and he wasn't sure he wanted to mix them.

He sighed again. He couldn't just be normal could he? Reaching down to the side of the bed he picked up his wand that lay on a pile of his clothes. Casting a quiet Tempus he saw that it was half an hour until breakfast. "Damn," he muttered and threw his legs over the side of the bed, pushing the covers off and sitting up. Running a hand through his black hair he turned around and shook the blond beside him.

"Draco," he called softly, shaking the boy gently. There was no response at first and Harry tried again. He watched as dark blond lashes fluttered slightly before opening to reveal stormy grey eyes. He briefly thought the grey eyes looked a little more awake then they should but dismissed it as he remembered what time it was. "Draco, we have about half an hour before breakfast starts," he said and sat back up, getting off the bed. He didn't notice the look Draco was giving him as his back was turned to the blond at the moment.

Draco rose from the bed and ran a hand softly over his stomach with a look of wonder on his face. Shaking his head he stretched and threw another odd look at Harry's back. Then what the black haired boy said caught up to him. "What, half an hour!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. Harry turned around and nodded his head. He had a bemused looked on his face. "I have so little time to get ready," Draco groaned before rushing out of the room. Harry watched him go and shook his head. Then he sighed in frustration as he realized that he didn't have his school books. A thoughtful look crossed his face and he looked up at the ceiling.

"Dobby?" he called out hesitantly, not sure if it would work. There was a pop and looking down he saw the house elf looking up at him expectantly.

"Yes Harry Potter, sir?" the house elf asked.

"Uh yeah," Harry said looking bemused once again. "Could you go up to the tower for me and grab my school bag? It's on the floor by my trunk," Harry asked, deciding he could use cleaning charms on his uniform for today. "And make sure no one sees you and asks any questions," he added as an afterthought. Dobby nodded his head enthusiastically.

"Anything for you Harry Potter sir!" he squeaked before disappearing with a pop. Harry sighed and sat back on the bed. He could hear the shower running and had a brief image of Draco, wet and naked in the shower with water sluicing down his body. He shook his head again to banish the image. Dobby popped back in holding Harry's school bag in his small hands. "Here you is Harry Potter. No one sees me either Harry Potter sir," Dobby said proudly as he held out the bag.

"Thanks Dobby and don't tell anyone I wasn't in my room, okay?" Harry replied as he took the bag and sat it on the floor. "It's very important that you tell no one Dobby."

""Harry Potter has Dobby's word that Dobby will say nothing," the house elf said, and nodded his head with a serious look on his face.

"Thanks, that will be all Dobby,' Harry said and Dobby nodded once more before disappearing. Harry chuckled a bit and set about casting cleaning charms on his uniform and himself. He began to change quickly and was just buttoning up his school shirt when Draco walked in with a nothing but a towel around his waist. Harry stopped and stared at the sight as the blond walked over to his wardrobe and took out his clothes. Harry realized he was muttering to himself, and he strained his hearing to catch what he was saying.

"I can't believe I woke up so late…my hair will have to be done quickly. I only hope it'll be as perfect as usual," the blond muttered as he pulled his boxers on under the towel before taking the towel off and dropping it to the floor. He then pulled on his uniform pants and shirt making sure they were impeccable. Harry snorted a laugh which caught Draco's attention and he turned and stared at Harry shocked. Harry pushed the image of an almost naked Draco from his mind.

"I'm heading out so it doesn't draw any attention," Harry said and he was embarrassed to realize his voice sounded a bit strained. He was even more embarrassed to realize he was half hard, but grateful for the robe that covered him.

"Yeah I'll see you later," Draco said slightly breathless from rushing around. Harry nodded and picked up his bag and walked from the room behind Draco who was heading towards the bathroom. He had resumed muttering about his hair. Harry shook his head and swung his invisibility cloak around him. He left the room closing the portrait behind him. With a sigh he began making his way towards the Great Hall. As he walked he thought about what had happened that morning. He had been hanging around Draco a lot since they had become friends, and obviously he was starting to notice things about his friend. He never noticed anything about Ron and Hermione or any of his other friends but he was noticing things about Draco.

Maybe I need to stop hanging around him so much before I do something stupid like kiss him or something, Harry thought. He took time to digest that thought and wondered if maybe he cut back on how much he hung out with Draco than maybe his sudden attraction to the blond would fade. He thought about his time at the raves. There no one had cared if you were straight, gay or bisexual since a lot of people had been anyway. There he had been able to let himself relax and experience things he probably wouldn't have given a second thought too. He had been a whole other person then; wild and free and uninhibited. Here at Hogwarts, in the Wizarding World really, he had expectations and he didn't think people expected him to be bisexual.

He wanted Draco, he would admit it if only to himself, but he wasn't prepared to mix his two worlds together. Here he was Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived and straight. There he was just Harry; another teen among a mass of teenagers looking for a good time. Besides, he doubted Draco would want him anyway. With a silent agreement he decided that he would stay away from Draco for a bit, and let the attraction fade some. He would try not to think about what had happened that morning. He only hoped it worked.

After Harry left Draco stood in front of his bathroom mirror combing through his blond locks and thinking. He was thinking back to that morning as he lay in bed. He didn't think Harry had actually noticed he was awake as the black haired boy had nuzzled into his neck and ran his hand over his stomach, but Draco had been. He had felt Harry spooned behind him with his arms wrapped around him and had lain perfectly still so as not to alert the other to his actual state of consciousness.

Combing his hair one more time so it fell around his ears he left the bathroom to gather his things for classes. He was still a little shocked about this morning. At first he had thought that Harry may be dreaming, and just seeking out warmth but when the other had pulled back so slowly and carefully he knew that Harry must have been more awake then he thought. It had felt good to be held like that, and Draco wasn't sure if it was because of Harry, the boy he had become attracted to, because it was another warm body pressed against his and he that he was a hormonal teenager, or because he was held so little growing up. He pulled on his school robe and grabbed up his bag. Without a second glance he left his room and began making his way to the Great Hall.

He was confused and didn't like it. He was attracted to Harry and wouldn't mind starting something with him, he knew that, and he was pretty sure Harry was at least physically attracted to him. But would the raven haired boy want him? That was the question and Draco didn't know the answer. His nerves felt frazzled from his confusing morning, and he was mildly agitated about it. He didn't like this confusion and he cursed Harry for setting in upon him. He decided to not think about it right now and to save it for later when he could sit down and properly analyze what happened. With a decisive nod he continued his walk to the Great Hall.

Both boys found that not thinking about it was harder than they had anticipated. Through almost every class, especially the ones where the other was attending they had thought about that morning though they didn't know the other was thinking about it. Harry had thought about what it felt like to wake up with another person, a warm body by his that didn't leave him cold afterwards like it had been with Cho. He had drifted off into thoughts of Draco; Draco in the shower, Draco with nothing but a towel on, Draco in his arms, and the images that went with all of those thoughts weren't helping any. He had found himself incredibly aroused throughout most of the day, and had had to resort to thinking of non-arousing things to help him. It didn't help that whenever he saw the blond he would start to think about those things again. He had found himself staring at Draco's lips during some classes and had gotten points taken away for his inattention. It had only resolved Harry even more to stay away from Draco for awhile.

Draco, too, found himself in the same predicament. He had spent much of the day thinking back on that morning, and whenever he did it seemed as if his back would warm up and throb as if someone was actually there behind him, pressed up against him. His stomach tingled as if Harry's hand was still there, caressing it. It had led to many an embarrassing moment for him. When he saw the boy in class he would find himself staring at those tanned hands as they went about their business. Those tanned hands that had, just that morning, been caressing his stomach softly, and smoothing over the clothed area. Harry's hands were big with long fingers and Draco had spent one class watching as the fingers curled around his wand – which only led him to even dirtier thoughts. He had never noticed his hands before but now he was noticing them every time Harry was in the same room. It was disconcerting as it disturbed his concentration in classes.

And the preoccupation of both didn't go unnoticed by their friends. Hermione, always perceptive had noticed Harry's lack of attention all day, and had informed Ron who – as clueless as he is sometimes – noticed also. His eyes had been glazed over, the look in them far away as though he was seeing something no one else could. He seemed to be deep in thought all day and not about the school work either. Both Ron and Hermione had noticed it but whenever they questioned Harry he would brush them off with an excuse of some kind.

The same thing was with Draco's friends. Blaise, Greg and Vince – who weren't as stupid as everyone thought – had noticed the blonds obviously occupied thoughts. He had also had a glazed look to his eyes, and when they had asked they had received an easy dismissal or a snapped statement. After a threat of being hexed they had wisely kept their mouths shut about the whole thing. But it had been an interesting day for both parties, unknown to the other.

His godfather wanted to talk to him tonight. He had asked (more like demanded) that Draco come by his classroom an hour after dinner, and Draco was dreading the meeting. He knew his godfather had noticed his inattention today even though he hadn't had his class. Severus made it his priority to make sure Draco was okay. He knew his past with his father and strove to be there for him, Draco knew, when and as much as he could. So when his godfather had sent him a note to come visit him he had immediately known it was because Severus had noticed his preoccupation.

He cursed himself for not being able to hide it better, and he cursed Harry for making him so preoccupied. He was walking towards his godfather's room after taking a quick fly around the pitch. He had his Nimbus 2001 hung over his shoulder as he walked towards his destination. Reaching his destination he knocked firmly on the door twice before walking into the room. Severus sat at his desk, a stack of papers in front of him and a quill in his hand. Draco closed the door behind him and walked across the room.

"Draco," Severus greeted, not even looking up from what he was doing. Draco leant his broom against a desk and sat on top of the desk next to it.

"So Severus," Draco drawled looking at the man. "What did you want?" Like I don't know already, Draco thought suppressing an eye roll.

Severus glanced up at the blond, a sarcastic smile twisting his lips. "Would you care to guess?" Even his tone dripped sarcasm. He quirked an eyebrow and gave a derisive snort. "Care to tell me what had you so preoccupied today? Even teachers tend to gossip Draco, and I've been hearing that you have been distracted in classes today."

Draco suppressed a sigh. "I've had something catch my interest lately and today it just caught more than usual," Draco replied.

"Really," Severus drawled out the word. "What has caught your interesting?" There was a slight tone of doubt in the silky voice, but Draco was prepared for this.

"Something to do with potions actually that has got me sidetracked," Draco said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It nothing important really just a potion I've read about that seems interesting." Severus looked interested and Draco smirked inwardly.

"What potion?" Severus asked, his work momentarily forgotten.

"Penitus Sensus," Draco answered. "It's a potion like Veritaserum only instead of making a person tell the truth it makes a person identify their inner feelings," and just like that Draco was able to distract his godfather. They spent the next hour talking about the potion and everything to do with it. It also took his mind off of Harry for awhile and that was a plus after having spent the majority of the day thinking about him.

He left the potions classroom as it was nearing curfew and made his way back to his room. He was exhausted as he walked into the room. Between his new problems with his attraction to Harry and keeping his godfather's curiosity at bay, keeping attentive in classes and keeping the Slytherin mask in play as best as he can he was growing severely weary. He knew he hadn't spent much time among the Slytherins this year but he tried so he didn't drag to much attention to himself. He sighed as he walked into his bedroom and changed clothes. After changing he got into bed, pulling the covers up around him. He tried to ignore the fact that the bed seemed empty and cold, convincing himself that one night with Harry in his bed, pressed up against him meant nothing. He was just seeking a warm body, any warm body.

I just need to fuck someone that's all or get fucked by someone, Draco thought drowsily as he began to drift off to sleep, exhaustion finally claiming him.

The next week went by with Harry doing as he promised himself he would do. He basically ignored Draco and hadn't made one move to try and meet him. But it was taking its toll on him. He realized he missed the blond, and not just because of the attraction. No, he missed the times where they would sit and talk about things; what they thought about the world and whatnot. Even the times when they would just sit in companionable silence, staring into the fire, lost in thought. He missed it all. And seeing the blond in classes wasn't helping even. He never thought there would be a day where he would miss Draco Malfoy, but lo and behold he did, and the feeling wasn't pleasant. His was no longer just preoccupied either, oh no, he was also feeling definitely sadder about the whole lot of things going on.

It was the following Monday, six days since the last time Harry had talked to Draco. It was longer then they normally went since Harry tried to hang out with the blond at least every three days. He was now sitting up in his bed in his dorm, curtains closed with a spell around his bed. It was well past midnight but Harry couldn't sleep, again. He had his journal set on his knees that were drawn up almost to his chest. The pen lay idly in his hand as he stared at the blank page.

March 17, 1997

Okay so maybe I made a hasty decision in deciding to avoid Draco for a while. It's been six days since I last talked to him, and as much as I am loathe to admit it I miss him. I didn't think avoiding him would be such a pain for me but it is. I want my blond back! He's not really mine as he doesn't belong to me or anything, and I don't know why I just referred to him as MY blond but I want him back.

I've been such a prat and I know it. Draco has tried to catch my attention, make me notice him. He even sent me a note asking me to come and visit him. I've ignored it all. I'm a first class prat, and I know it. I think I'm going to meet him tomorrow and sort all this out. I only hope that he accepts my apology. I've been mean to him I really have, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't forgive me. Draco doesn't like to be ignored and not just because people in general don't like to be ignored. He told me once that being ignored reminded him too much of his home life with his mother and father (before Lucius went to Azkaban that is). So that makes me feel even more like a great prat.

Hermione and Ron have been suspicious of my behavior, especially my distractedness that day after the morning incident with Draco. I've made sure not to stare at him too much or for too long in the case that it gives something away. Hermione would figure it out quicker than Ron, but still I don't want them to know, not yet anyway. I'll deal with that disaster when in comes. But, yeah, I've been watching Draco and I notice all the little things about him even more than before, like my clarity of him has sharpened with the admittance of my attraction for him.

When he's annoyed about something he pokes the inside of his cheek with his tongue and narrows his eyes. When he's concentrating on something he tends to suck on his bottom lip until it's all red and swollen, and then run his thumb along the abused flesh. Yes, I've noticed all this. So its time I stop being a jackass and start talking to Draco again. Hopefully he'll forgive me.

Onto another point – whether delightful or not I haven't really decided – is that I never got to hear Draco's story about his experience with another guy. I'm interested in this bit of information for more than one reason. Hopefully, if Draco forgives me he'll tell me about it.

Harry looked at what he read and sighed. He really hoped Draco would forgive because he would hate to lose a friend who understood him so well. While Ron and Hermione understand the old him – the one who still believed everything was so black and white – Draco understood him now. He understood the whole grey concept and Harry need someone like that. Closing the book he rose from the bed and went to his trunk. Taking the locking and warding charms off he put it in the bag he didn't use for his school books. His hand brushed something cold and smooth and he froze instantly recognizing it. He hesitated before pulling his empty hand back. He made his way to the bed and got back in, relocking and silencing the curtains.

He hadn't had the urge to cut in a while. It struck him at odd times, and he would crave the release only the sharp blade could give him. Sometimes something triggered it, like memories and little reminders. And sometimes he felt so apathetic, so empty that he wanted to make sure he could still feel. But lately he hadn't had the urge to slice open his flesh, at least nothing so intense to warrant it. He had little burst where he would scratch at his arms, tearing open scabs and old wounds until he bled just a little. But he hadn't felt the need for more than that. Sighing he pulled the covers up around him and turned to lay on his stomach. He wasn't tired, too used to his nocturnal habits unless exhausted to sleep but he figured he could try.

Draco Malfoy was frustrated and angry. Since that morning he had woke up with Harry he had gone from distracted and thoughtful to frustrated and angry. After that first day he had gone and done what he had thought he needed. He had shagged Tracey Davis, a sixth year Slytherin girl but got little satisfaction from it. He knew he was more partial to males than females, and then decided to have a go with some attractive and competent seventh year boy. It had been more fulfilling than sleeping with Tracey and he had forgotten about the 'Harry Problem' for a while.

But then he realized that Harry was ignoring him. Sometimes they would share secret little glances of amusement if they found something funny while in the same class. During the next potions class the day after the morning they woke up together they had been paired together which was a usual occurrence. What hadn't been a usual occurrence – at least since they had become friends – even through the act they put on was Harry's rigid poster as he stood a noticeable distance from Draco and his somewhat short tone and reluctant behavior to be around him. To anyone else it wouldn't have looked odd, but to someone who knew Harry they would have been able to tell the difference. And Draco could tell.

It had frustrated him for more than one reason. He had realized and grudgingly admitted to himself that he missed the git's attention towards him. It wasn't until the third day of not being acknowledged by the black haired boy that Draco sucked up his pride and sent a note for Harry to come by his room to talk. It was like normal where they would sit and wax philosophical or just enjoy companionable silence. But Harry hadn't come. And that was where Draco's anger began. He didn't appreciate being ignored and that was what was happening. He had tried to catch Harry's attention the next day, threw a couple insults at the Gryffindor. Nothing too harsh was said but enough to rile the other into noticing him again. It had only worked a bit because while Harry acknowledge him at last he had done so shortly before walking off.

By then Draco was beyond pissed. He didn't understand Harry's problem, and it was really starting to tick him off. But most of all he missed the discussions they would have, the debates they would have over things. Harry was smart, and given half a chance could come up with decent arguments and points to theories for things. The other boy gave Draco things to think about never trying to change his mind, but giving him points and angles he never considered, and from a perspective he wasn't accustomed to. And Draco missed that along with his friend.

Damn you Potter, Draco thought not for the first time that week as he sat in his chair in front of the fireplace in his rooms. Damn you for getting to me so much. But he had a feeling that he got to Harry just as much, and that thought pleased him even as he glanced in sad bitterness at the couch the lithe body was usually sprawled on. His lips twisted into a bitter smile and he wasn't sure why he felt the sudden tightness in his chest. Or he did and wouldn't acknowledge it just as he wouldn't acknowledge the fact that he hadn't talked to Harry in six days.

He felt a wave a sadness encompass him and looked back to the fire, as the feeling seemed to settle bone-deep in him. Damn you Harry for making me feel this way, he thought and the sadness that was in him seemed to echo through his thoughts.

It was the next day and Harry had summoned all his courage for what he was about to face. He had skipped dinner and had waited in an unobtrusive corner opposite the Great Hall for dinner to end. He was under his invisibility cloak and leaning against the wall with his back pressed to the cool stone. He checked his watch and sighed, looking back to the doors. Dinner was almost over and he was hoping his plan worked.

After a few minutes the doors opened and a rush of student started coming out. Harry waited and watched looking for the familiar blond hair. After a moment he saw Draco coming out of the Hall and waited for the blond to come his way. As Draco neared him Harry took a deep breath and grabbed onto his arm. Draco jerked but Harry got close enough and whispered, "Dismiss your friends and follow me." Draco looked a trifled annoyed and looked as if he would ignore Harry altogether but made his dismissal with a cool excuse and followed the direction his sleeve was being tugged,

Harry was glad Dumbledore hadn't been around because that would have just caused unwanted problems. He led Draco away from the crowd of students and had him follow him until they reached the fourth floor and reached an unused classroom. Once both were inside Harry took off his cloak and cast locking and silencing charms on the door. He turned around and was confronted by a cold looking Draco. Harry barely held himself from cringing. This is your fault, he reminded himself sternly, and took a deep breath.

"Draco…I'm sorry for being such a prat this week. It just that, well…" Harry trailed off and ran a hand over the back of his neck. He didn't think telling Draco 'Oh well you see I felt the need to grope you whenever I saw you after that morning, you know, the one where I stayed in your room overnight?' would go over so well. Where had all his pre-thought of words gone?

"You just what Potter?" Draco snapped glaring at him. Harry grimaced at the venom in his tone when he said his name. He hadn't heard it in so long. "You just don't want to talk to me anymore? You just figured that I wasn't someone who you wanted to be around? You just what!" Draco shouted.

"I just freaked out, okay!" Harry shouted back glaring at Draco. "I had fucking noticed it before, but it only really hit home that morning we woke up together. I'M FUCKING ATTRACTED TO YOU AND IT FREAKED ME OUT!" Harry screamed. He had stalked closer to Draco, standing toe to toe with the blond. "It was in that moment I realized that I might want you for more than a friend and it I didn't want it to happen."

Draco, who looked mildly surprised at his words, went back to glaring at him. "Why because I'm Draco Malfoy and better for nothing then being your friend, or maybe just because you don't like guys even though you've done stuff with them?" Draco asked. "WHY DIDN'T YOU WANT IT TO HAPPEN HARRY, HUH!" Draco yelled back into the other's face.

Harry didn't say anything instead he looked at Draco intensely before stepping forward and crushing his lips to the blond's, wrapping his arms around the other's waist. Draco made a surprised squawk and he struggled a bit but Harry held on and continued to kiss him. It was only lips against lips but Harry was determined. Draco finally stopped struggling and pressed his lips firmly back. Harry nipped at the blond's bottom lip before gliding his tongue slowly across it. A small moan came from Draco who parted his lips. Harry slid his tongue into Draco's mouth, over the other's tongue and the top of his mouth. The kiss was hot and sloppy, and Harry could taste the pumpkin juice Draco had drunk for dinner and, distantly, what he had eaten. Harry found it glorious to finally be kissing those soft pink lips that had been taunting him.

Draco was pleasantly surprised by the kiss. He wasn't sure at first though, and had struggled to break free. But his resolve broke; he had wanted to kiss Harry for a while now, and he began kissing back. And it was wonderful, a bit sloppy from the suddenness of it and his bit of struggle no doubt but wonderful all the same. He swept his tongue back over Harry's and wound his arms around the other boy's shoulders, leaning into the other's body.

Harry began to ease off the kiss, drawing his tongue back slowly from its twisting dance with Draco's. He nipped gently at Draco's bottom lips, then clamped his lips around it and sucked lightly before pulling back fully. He opened his eyes and looked at Draco who was looking back at him and sighed. "It's a long and probably stupid reason why I didn't want to be attracted to you," Harry said finally, his voice soft.

"Start at the beginning then," Draco said just as softly, his tone firm and stepped back from Harry who let him and sat on the worn teachers desk in the room. He kept his eyes fixed on the black haired boy in front of him.

Harry sighed again and ran a hand through his messy hair. "It's like this," he said after a moment of silence. "I have no problem with being attracted to another guy, for fuck's sake, I did a lot with other guys this summer. No, that wasn't the problem.

During the summer when I went to those raves I felt free, you see. From the magical world, from that Boy-Who-Lived shit, from the pressure and all the fame; it was wonderful. When there I could do what I wanted without anyone saying anything. I kissed guys and girls, I got and gave hand jobs and blow jobs from guys, and I slept with a girl I had met during the summer. It was great, liberating, I guess you could say," Harry paused and a wistful look came over his face. Then his whole face turned back to looking sad.

"But then that freedom couldn't last forever could it? No, no it couldn't. I had to come back to Hogwarts, to the fame and the stares and the bloody pressure of being the Boy-Who-Lived," he spat, and his tone was bitter and resigned. "When I came back I tried not to think about it because it hurt to think about the freedom and fun I had to give up. That didn't stop me from discreetly checking out guys among girls now and then but I didn't make any more of it. Well, not the guys at any rate," Harry said thoughtfully with a scowl on his face.

"Then I began to realize I was getting attracted to you but I always just brushed it aside. It didn't really hit me fully until that morning after I stayed the night, and I didn't want it to happen because – to me anyway – I didn't want to mix my two...lives, worlds? Anyway I didn't want to mix them together. My Hogwarts life and the time I spent at the raves, they were mine and totally separate from each other. If I admitted my attraction to you and made a move to do something about it I would be mixing the two. I have very little that's mine and I wanted something that was just mine.

I know it doesn't make sense, and it probably sounds stupid but that was the reason." Harry concluded and looked at Draco. Draco was looking back at him, brow furrowed and a thoughtful look on his face.

"I can understand I think," Draco said finally. "As the Boy-Who-Lived you have very little that's your own, and it's only understandable that you would want to keep something that wasn't tainted by that to yourself, and untainted. But Harry," Draco continue and looked at him intensely. "It would be secret, and it's not like we're confessing our undying love to each other or anything. We're just attracted to each other, why not just go with that for now?" Draco asked reasonably.

Harry stayed silent for a long time thinking it over. Draco was right in what he said. They weren't professing words of love to each other just a mutual attraction and it would be a secret. Only he and Draco would know so what was the problem? Harry sighed and ran both hands through his hair in frustration releasing a small growl.

"Harry?" Draco asked, his voice breaking Harry from his inner thoughts and snapping his attention back to the here and now. Draco was looking at him with an eyebrow raised, a slightly puzzled look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Harry said shaking his head slightly. "Your right though, about what you said. We're attracted to each so why not just…you know, go with it?" Harry replied waving his hand around vaguely. Draco smirked at him, rose from the desk and walked towards him.

"Good," the blond said simply and leaned in to kiss him again, arms wounding around his shoulders. Harry sighed into the kiss, his arms encircling Draco's waist and kissed back. Its okay, he thought as he twisted his tongue with the blond's. Maybe a little mixing wont be so bad. Just enjoy yourself for once Harry!

After spending a bit more time in that abandoned classroom Harry and Draco left heading their separate ways with a promise from Harry to come by tomorrow. Draco walked back to his room in a slight daze. He hadn't expected things to go like that when he had heard Harry first whisper in his ear about following him. He had, admittedly, only expected one of two outcomes. Either Harry would finish their hard earned friendship or he would continue it and things would go back the way they had been. He hadn't expected a confession of attraction and lots of kissing to ensue. But the results had been wonderful all the same. They had decided to explore the attraction not quite giving a name to what they were, and it was fine with Draco. They weren't serious about each other, but the attraction was there and very much mutual.

And Harry was a much better kisser than he had anticipated. He had expected a shy and awkward kiss not a hot and a bit demanding mouth against his. It amazed and excited him and he couldn't wait to kiss the boy again because, Merlin, could the boy kiss. Obviously his summer at those rave things were really informative and helpful, Draco thought with a smirk as continued his way back to his room.