Disclaimer I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or the movie

This story is not mine all credits go to BeyondTheSun on AO3

Harry found Hermione easily; she was in her dorm. Now came the trick of calming her down and answering all of her questions. As Hermione had said, 'you woke me up Harry so now you're going to answer my questions whether you like it or not'.

"What time is it Harry?" she asked him as they sat down together in the common room, talking quietly. "Well you're not dead, but knowing you, you still got in some sort of trouble. Is Malfoy alright? Do you know why he was missing? Is your arm—"

"Jesus 'Mione, calm down," Harry said and gently placed his hand on hers.

He sighed, ready to tell her everything, and braced himself for more questions.

"I think Malfoy was taken to the Forbidden Forest by some sixth years, as a prank maybe. He's fine, prickly as usual. But Hermione, that's not what I'm worried about. Actually," Harry sighed again, trying to come to terms with this information himself. "Hermione, Malfoy's my soulmate…. I think."

Hermione looked as shocked as he felt. Suddenly, she grinned.

"Harry, that would explain his numbers- and it explains yours as well! What if, because Voldemort used you as a Horcrux, it messed up your clock somehow? Then, Malfoy's clock would've gotten screwed up as well! I don't know how it's fixed itself all of a sudden, though, maybe enough time has passed to fix itself naturally. Or you two being so close to each other recently could have been the catalyst. Were you there when his numbers reached Zero?" Hermione asked question after question, always excited to find out more.

Harry nodded in response, his thumb brushing over his wrists. "That would make sense. Look."

Harry held his arm out to show her his clock as well.

"But I don't think Malfoy knows and I'm afraid to tell Hermione, I don't know what to do"

Harry pulled his arm back and sighed, staring at the rug at his feet. How did he always manage to get wrapped up in everything all the time? It was a curse. But maybe things wouldn't be so bad anymore. If Malfoy's reaction was alright, they could try to work something out. But part of Harry still held off on being joyful. His numbers had only appeared and reappeared, and they were still at Zero. Yes, he was there when Malfoy's clock reached Zero, but Hermione had even said herself that Voldemort had messed with his clock, so at this point anything was possible.

"Harry," Hermione said, gently shaking him with her hand on his shoulder. "I think you should sleep, if only for a little. It'll help you think."

She was right, Hermione always was. So Harry went back up to his dorm and tried to sleep, trying to not think of Malfoy as much as he was.

He did feel better when he woke up in the morning. Malfoy still wasn't there. Which made sense— he was in the infirmary. Harry knew Malfoy had food, but at breakfast he stole a slice of french toast for, deciding he was going to visit the other.

TW: SELF HARM

It wasn't until he reached the doors of the infirmary did Harry realize how much he was really thinking about Malfoy. Ever since he had gone missing, Harry just couldn't stop. As he pushed open the doors, he heard someone crying.

Malfoy was sitting up in his bed hunched over. Harry could see his shoulders trembling, small sobs filling the silence. As he rushed over to the other, he realized there was blood dripping on the white sheets covering Malfoy.

"Malfoy, what are you-!"

When Harry grabbed Malfoy, a kitchen sponge soaked in blood fell into his lap. Harry realized in horror that the other was scrubbing his arm raw.

"What are you doing here?" Draco gasped, pulling away quickly from Harry, still clearly shaking. "Don't look- Merlin, Potter, get out!"

"Malfoy- Draco, what are you doing?" he whispered and grabbed his wrist to look at the damage, not letting him pull away. He didn't know how long Draco had been scrubbing, but probably for a while by the amount of blood on his arm. Clear as day, Harry could see the outline of Draco's dark much, even under the blood. He was trying to scrub off his dark mark.

Draco was suddenly crying openly. He bit his trembling lip as tears fell down his cheeks, dripping onto the sheets.

"You don't know what it's like," he croaked, wiping his face.

Harry was still holding his arm as he tried to wrap it in one of the sheets. It was the best he could do; he had never been good at healing magic.

"Draco, please-"

"You don't know, Potter, you don't know! I- this is why I will be shamed for the rest of my life. You are so perfect, perfect Potter, you couldn't do anything wrong even if you tried!"

Draco held back a sob then, looking away.

Harry was at a loss for words. He was never really good at comforting people verbally and he cursed himself for it. So he did what he thought was right.

Keeping Draco's arm wrapped, he sat next to him on the bed, not caring he sat in the blood.

"I'm going to hug you now," Harry said as gently as he could. He could feel Draco stiffen already, but he didn't let that stop him from pulling him closer, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.

It was incredibly awkward at first. Harry could tell Draco did not want to be here and was still crying slightly. But as Harry watched him get tired, Draco relaxed. Harry took advantage of this and shifted so the other could lay down while Harry rested a hand on his head, gently stroking his hair.

"Don't tell Pansy," Draco whispered, his voice hoarse.

"I won't," Harry responded genuinely.

Something inside Harry hurt to watch Draco like this. It was strange to not see the other put together, ready to challenge anyone who stood in his way, but he wasn't judging him. He had come to realize that Draco was struggling just as much as he had, just differently.

"I need to get Madam Pomfrey," Harry said as he started to get up.

Draco held him fast, not looking at him in the eyes. "Not yet," he whispered. He couldn't face the world yet.

Harry nodded and sunk back down into the bed, continuing to run his fingers through his hair. It was soft, which made sense. Draco seemed like the type to take very good care of his hair. When Draco finally did fall asleep, Harry took off the blood-soaked sheet and went to go find Madam Pomfrey.

It was in fact, relatively easy. Just as Harry started to walk out, she walked in.

"Oh! Hello, Harry. Visiting Malfoy?" she asked with a smile.

"Madam Pomfrey, Draco's had an accident," he said and quickly brought her over to where the other was sleeping and showed her his arm. Harry wouldn't tell her the truth, he didn't want to embarrass Draco.

"Oh dear," she murmured and went to work, shooing Harry out like she always did when she was focused. Classes had started at this point and Harry tried to act normal as he struggled to focus for the rest of the day.

~*~

Trying to focus was never going to work, Harry realized halfway through the day. He was just going to have to take the work back to his room and worry about it tomorrow. But being in his dorm brought on another set of problems.

If he was thinking about Draco before, now he was going to go crazy. Harry set down his work slowly, looking over everything on Draco's side of the room. He picked up his silly perfume, smelling it was a small smile. He knew once the other was back he'd have to smell it every day. Howwouldthings be when Draco came back? Would they go back to just ignoring each other and bickering as always? Part of Harry hoped not. He and Draco were starting to form a friendship, and even if it was messy and loud, it was still a friendship.

Harry was surprised to find Draco in the dorm with him the next morning. He heard the shower and he could smell Draco's shampoo. Merlin, he missed his shampoo.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stuck on his glasses. Harry realized he probably looked like a mess and quickly tried to fix his hair and throw on something other than boxers and a t-shirt. Draco popped out of the bathroom right as he finished. His hair was still damp and he was wearing slacks and a white button-up. Oh, right, it was Saturday.

Harry swallowed thickly and offered him a crooked smile. Draco, who didn't exactly ignore him, only gave him a tilt of his head before going to his trunk to pull out what he needed for the day.

"How are you?" Harry asked, hating how his voice sounded.

"I'm fine, Potter," Draco replied. He wasn't cold but he wasn't friendly either, still not letting Harry in.

But Harry didn't believe it. He raised an eyebrow and eyed the other.

"How's your arm then?"

He knew the question would get a rise out of the other, and he was right. Draco flinched but kept his back towards Harry.

"Better than ever. Madam Pomfrey knows what she's doing. I expect no less from her"

Harry was suddenly next to Draco, so when the other turned around, he yelped, locking eyes with Harry.

"Blimey, why did you-"

"You know that's not what I meant, Draco. How's your arm? How- how areyou?"

Harry sounded genuinely concerned as he looked at Draco, trying to pull some answers from him. He could see Draco swallow, who looked away again.

"Is it 'Draco' now?" Draco asked. He was trying to sound collected but was clearly failing.

"Listen, it's really none of your business. You happened to catch me at a bad time is all. I appreciate your concern but you needn't be any longer. I'll be fine." Draco clearly wanted to end things there as he stood up straight and firm.

"Actually, Draco, I do think it's my business," Harry said as he stopped him from leaving.

"Potter, not everyone's problems are your business."

"Draco, I don't think you understand-"

"No,Harry, I don't think you understand."

Draco was getting annoyed, his cheeks turning a little pink as he started to push past Harry.

"Christ- Draco, you're my soulmate!"

The silence that followed his words were deafening. Draco started at him, which seemed to happen a lot lately. Instead of finding some snarky remark, Draco ripped back his sleeve to look at his clock. All zeroes, just like before.

"But- but you don't have a soulmate everyone's known that for years" Draco snapped, sounding almost angry.

"I don't know either, but I watched your clock go down and I was the only one there. And my numbers came back when your clock reached zero-"

"No, you're wrong, Potter."

"I'm not wrong, I watched it happen!"

"Then you must bedaftthere's-"

Harry was fed up and had had enough. He didn't know what came over him, but he grabbed Draco by the shoulders and pulled him in, kissing his lips for a moment. Draco was stiff, but he didn't pull away until Harry did.

Draco's face was red. Harry thought it was cute, but the other started to back away again.

"Don't play with my feelings, Potter," Draco whispered.

"You've said that twice now, I don't understand what you mean."

Draco huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. "Of course you don't," he snapped and sat on the bed angrily. He knew Harry wasn't letting him go anywhere anytime soon. "You don't have to worry about that because everyone wants you."

"Maybe, but I still don't understand Draco. I'm not playing with your feelings I just…"

Harry took in a deep breath.

"I just want to kiss you, Draco. I don't know what that means, but I'm not lying to you. And I want you to kiss me back, maybe. But all you ever do is snap at me until one of us walks away. For once, Draco, can you just be honest and tell me what's going on?"

Could Draco tell Harry what was going on? Not everything, maybe not ever. Draco let out a long sigh, setting down his things as he closed his eyes.

"Just kiss me, you bloody idiot."

So Harry did. He sat on the bed next to Draco and tilted his chin up a little. Harry took his time this time as he leaned forward to lock lips with the other. They were soft, just like last time, and sweet from the lip balm he used. Draco shuddered as he finally relaxed as Harry touched him. The other's hand came up and wrapped his fingers in Harry's hair, pulling him closer.

Harry let Draco take the lead and followed his lips. He cupped Draco's face so he could pull him even closer, enjoying that Draco moved along with him as well. When he finally pulled back, he had a crooked grin on his face, chuckling slightly.

"What?" Draco asked, huffing slightly as he blushed.

Harry only shrugged. He was just happy, that was all.

"Wipe that grin off your face, Harry," Draco snipped as he smacked Harry's arm, getting up to go to the bathroom. It pleased Harry that Draco was so flustered. He was still red as he walked away and locked the bathroom door shut.

"I thought it was 'Potter'," he called out after him, laughing as he heard Draco telling him to shut up.

Harry couldn't wipe the smile off of his face for the rest of the day. It was the happiest he had been in a while, and Draco (of all people) had done this to him. Since it was the weekend, Harry met up with Hermione and Ron at The Three Broomsticks to catch up. Even though they were able to spend more time with each other this year, they had spent quite a fair amount apart. Harry attributed that to Ron's newfound clinginess to Hermione.

Harry was surprised to find that he was the first one there but settled down easily as he ordered butterbeer. It wasn't long before he saw Hermione and Ron stumbled in, who were clearly attached at the hip. Harry tried not to feel too jealous since things were looking up for him anyway. He waved them over, smiling.

"Harry! You seem to be much better," Hermione said happily and pulled him into a hug before she sat down.

Ron hugged him as well, patting his back. 'You've been distant, mate, how are you?"

Harry laughed. "Has Hermione not told you? I assumed she would have spilled everything by now."

"I assumed you wanted to tell him, Harry, I didn't want to be rude"

Hermione ordered two drinks for her and Ron as they all settled in.

Harry sighed but smiled, ready to fill Ron in. "It's quite weird not having you both on my adventures, but not too much has happened."

"Well, I know Malfoy is in the infirmary for some reason, guessing you were there," Ron said.

"Yeah. Well, before that, Lucius Malfoy was at Hogwarts."

"What!?"

Both Hermione and Ron gaped at the same time, staring at Harry.

"He's supposed to be in Azkaban!" whispered Hermione as she sat closer to Harry.

"You don't suppose he snuck out?" Ron asked quietly.

"Don't be daft," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "He probably got a plea bargain— how he managed to do that is beyond me."

Harry cleared his throat and continued. "So, Lucius showed up, and Drac- erm, Malfoy started acting weird. I don't know but seeing him act normal, almost, made it easier to talk to him. So I was talking to him more and I noticed his clock would go all weird."

"Weird like what?" Ron interrupted as he drank his beer.

"I don't know, it was just weird. But when I tried to ask him about it, he hid it from me. So then he just disappeared for a day and no one knew where he was. Turns out some sixth years threw him in the Forbidden Forest near the centaurs"

"I still can't believe you went into the forest without us Harry," Hermione said with a small huff.

"No actually I'm glad he didn't, I never want to see that place again," Ron squealed slightly.

"He's fine now, for the most part. But, erm, Ron, there's something I have to tell you." Harry was dreading telling Ron about the fact that Draco was most likely his soulmate. Even though it didn't bother Harry as much as he thought it was, he was afraid Ron's reaction would be harsh.

"Well, go on!"

"You see, Draco's numbers were acting weird cause… well, he's my soulmate."

Harry sat in uncomfortable silence for a long time.

"Are you bloody kiddi—!"

Before Ron could finish, Hermione grabbed him by the jacket and pulled him outside. After some yelling and bickering, with some smacks upside from Hermione, the two came back with a slightly pink Ron in tow.

"Well, Harry, 'Mione told me not to overreact like I always do. Anyway, as long as he doesn't hex you, then I won't have to fight him. But don't tell me any mooshy details! I can't handle it."

And with that, Ron settled back into his seat and resumed his chatting and drinking with Hermione.

Harry laughed slightly, admiring his friends. Even when Ron was screaming, he was just trying his best to be there for Harry. Hope flared in Harry's chest again as he thought that maybe he really did have a good future, but he kept it at bay. He didn't want to get too hopeful.