This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Word Count: 1136

Title: In The Army Now

Note: Muggle!AU, Soldier!AU, Crossdresser!AU Cedric. Gay!Harry/Draco. Inspired By Klaus in Umbrella Academy and his year as a soldier.

Warnings: War, Homophobia, transfobia, bullying

Beta: Kokoro893

Quidditch League:

[Team]: Pride Of Portree

[Position] Captain

[Theme]: Quidditch Supplies

[Prompts]:

[Theme]: Book Club

[Prompts]: [colour] Scarlet

[Theme]: Pokemon

[Prompts]: (pairing) Draco/Harry, [#315.] Roselia: Write about someone or something that has a calming effect.

International Wizarding School Competition:

[Cabin]: Malfoy

[Prompts]:Going on an adventure. Write about someone exploring a forest.

[Theme]: Horse Riding

XX Harry XX

He made it into the clearing ahead of the rest, and wondered what would be in store for them today; would the Colonel make them run laps? Climb the wall? His favourite time was when they were sent out hiking, usually with the pretence of finding information, if there were enemy troops around; it would do for their Squadron to be aware of it before their base got attacked. 'I wonder if princess Malfoy is going to be training with me today.' Harry caught himself wondering. He smiled a little, he had gotten into the habit of calling Malfoy princess, both to his face, and well, in his mind, because the other man just had so many complaints, he often wondered why Malfoy had enlisted, he really seemed too soft for this harsh environment. Colonel often had them in teams, as the Squadron Hogwarts was the largest group of young men to enlist, as it had just become mandatory for them due to the unrest in the West. Although Harry knew not all the men did enlist, some opted to make a run for it rather than risk their lives on the front line during battle.

As much as Potter senior had loved his son, he had never been part of Harry's life. Harry's mother had died during childbirth, and with a war going on, he had been sent to live with his aunt and uncle, the Dursley's, who had a son his age. He was treated horribly by his uncle, constantly told it was his fault his mother was dead; his aunt often denied she even had a sister. And Dudley, Dudley was a large, spoiled, bully. Harry often wondered if that was where his natural athletic abilities came from, running away from your cousin probably would probably find some way of manifesting in your adult years as well. Harry looked out into the forest, his heart starting to race. Could he go exploring and skip training? Nobody would even know he was gone, would they? A stubbornness came over him, it wasn't like he chose to be here, he had no choice, and the sounds of the birds chirping in the distance sure felt so much more peaceful than whatever hell awaited them during training. Slightly nervous, Harry glanced this way and that, making sure nobody was around, before ducking behind a large tree and making his way into the forest. He followed the sound of the birds, and completely lost himself in the noises of the trickling water, the singing birds, and the crunching of the dried leaves beneath his boots.

He hadn't gone far when he heard another rustling of leaves, and pulled his gun. "Don't move," he threatened.

"What are you planning to do? Shoot me?" Malfoy said, smirking at him. "I know that look."

"Of course not, you idiot, why didn't you tell me you were following me?"

"This was just so much more entertaining." Malfoy shrugged.

"I could have hurt you," Harry said softly, lowering his weapon and walking closer to the blond man.

"Oh, Potter, so good at talking dirty aren't you?" Malfoy said.

"Shut up, princess, or I will shut your mouth for you," Harry insisted. His heart was racing, what was Malfoy going to do? What was Harry planning to do? Smack him, or … kiss him? Malfoy just had this way of getting under the soldiers' skin, no matter what he said or did. They were completely alone now, now was the one chance Harry could have to confess, was he brave enough?

"I love it when you call me pet names," Malfoy purred.

"That's it!" Harry exclaimed, taking a step towards Malfoy, and grabbing him by his worn khaki shirt. Malfoy didn't move an inch, and Harry's lips descended on the other male, rough and dominating. Harry was so surprised at himself, it took him a second to realise that the other man was kissing him back. Harry felt Malfoy's arms move, and braced himself for an incoming smack, but instead, Malfoy's arms surrounded him, pulling him closer. The person that said time stopped for no man had never had Draco Malfoy's lips on his own, that's for sure.

They pulled apart, breathless, and Harry took a minute to think about what to say, but Malfoy beat him to it.

"It's nothing," Malfoy said, but Harry could have sworn a scarlet blush painted the usually pale cheeks. "Forget it happened."

Harry nodded, now really wasn't the time to discuss this. "Want to check out the lake nearby?" Harry asked, suddenly giddy with excitement again. He had always loved the forest, and now he was in it, with a handsome blond he had just been snogging with. Malfoy looked sceptical, but nodded, following Harry to the edge of the water.

"Have you been here before?" Malfoy asked, and when Harry shook his head, he added. "How did you know about the lake?"

"Oh, I heard it, didn't you?"

"No," Malfoy said simply.

"Look, if we walk on those rocks, we can get to the island looking thing in the middle," Harry said, pointing it out.

"We could fall in," Malfoy said, pointing out the obvious flaw.

Harry leaned down, putting a hand in the water to test the current. "It's not that strong, we could even wade across, in this forest, we are sure to dry out quickly."

"Okay okay, I vote for the rock skipping instead."

Harry laughed. "Okay." Harry removed his shoes and socks, and left them by the side of the lake.

Harry led the way, and with his natural balance found it easy to get across without getting anything worse than his feet wet. Malfoy, on the other hand, had refused to remove his shoes, and the grip on the rocks was causing him to slip every so often. His pants were wet up to his knees, and then just before reaching the last rock, he miscalculated his footing, and slipped. Harry's hand caught him so fast, before he could fall, and balanced him, helping him onto the small island in the midst of the rushing water.

Despite the way the two of them teased each other mercilessly, Harry knew that Malfoy liked him too. It was hard, falling in love, in the middle of a war, not knowing if either of you would live to see the end of the week. He watched the water running down steam in its periwinkle glory, and let out a sigh.

"What's that all about?" Malfoy asked.

"We ought to be getting back to base," Harry replied, and got to his feet. Harry helped Draco back across the stones, and the two of them kept their hands clasped until they reached the clearing, before realising that nobody had noticed them missing, except… Cedric Diggory.