"Say, would you maybe be interested in Hogsmead this weekend. With me, I mean" Harry stammered slightly nervously at Draco where he sat across from him at the library table. Draco just looked up at Harry with guarded eyes.

"You want me to come with you? What will your friends say? I mean sure we get along well enough now but I doubt they'd' enjoy me tagging along all afternoon." Draco said carefully, grey eyes never leaving emerald ones.

Harry shifted, dropping his eyes to the table before looking back up. "Actually I was kind of thinking just you and I." At this Draco's eyes lit up with surprise. Harry's face flamed instantly when he realized how it sounded and he hastily added, "I- it's" he stuttered, "It's just that lately it seems like everyone's been paring off and oh Merlin, " Harry grumbled realizing he wasn't making much headway in clarifying himself. "You know how it is," Harry groaned finally. "I've seen Blaise and Pansy together, and well they're not THAT bad, Ron and Hermione that is, but still I've just been feeling a bit like the 3rd wheel."

As much as Draco was enjoying watching Harry flounder (Merlin he was cute when he did that), he was a bit taken aback that Harry had mentioned Blaise and Pansy's relationship so casually. True, every one seemed to be making an effort at getting along, but considering what Pansy had suggested during the Battle of Hogwarts Draco had not expected him to shrug it off so easily. A moment later what Harry had said really sunk in. So it isn't just that he wants to spend more time with me. Of course, it wouldn't be would it. No he just needed some one to pal around with while his friends snog. Still, Draco wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Sure," came his reply, desperately hoping he sounded casual and not like a thirteen year old who'd just met their idol.

Harry eased up at once. A bright smile filtered across his face. "Great, how does 11:00 sound?"

"Works for me." Draco shrugged, secretly brimming with excitement. He hid a small smile and they continued working on their potions homework.

XxX

It was a crisp early December day in Hogsmead village. Students and professors alike were buzzing around the sleepy little town, catching up with friends and shopping for Yule. Draco and Harry were warm with the buzz of a few butterbeers and a pleasant afternoon.

"I can't believe it's almost Yule." Harry mused. "I guess I'd better get started on my shopping soon. Hermione will have my head if I wait until the last minute again." Harry chuckled. "She always harps on me about my procrastination, every year," Harry paused, "well, except for last year..." he trailed off.

Sensing the mood was slipping Draco tried to redirect his thoughts to something cheerier. "Have any ideas what you'll get them yet?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

"Not yet, but it'll come to me. It always does. I don't really enjoy shopping much myself," Draco eyed Harry's attire as he spoke those words as if to suggest he was aware. Harry continued "but when it's for someone else it's just different. I like to walk around and look at everything until I find that one thing I'm sure they'll love." Harry spoke with such passion and warmth that Draco found himself trying to calm his now rapid heartbeat. He knew Harry cared for his friends, but seeing that kind of love and reverence in his eyes when he spoke made Draco wonder if anyone would ever look like that when they thought of him. Probably not. A small bitter voice whispered in the back of his head.

"Well, no time like the present." Draco said, ignoring the quiet ache his thoughts and his runaway heart had left him with. "Why don't we check out Spintwitches. Weasley's been whining about needing new Quidditch equipment for ages. Maybe we can find something there."

For a moment Harry was speechless. Of all people to suggest he shop for, Harry did not think Draco would have chosen Ron. Moreover Harry wondered, since when does Malfoy pay attention to what Ron is whining about. Finding his voice Harry made to answer Draco but was cut off by a sudden angry voice in the street.

"YOU!" it bellowed. Both boys snapped their heads toward the direction on the speaker. Harry gasped. It was the man he'd seen Professor Albatross with at the Hog's Head that day. "I'll kill you. I'll kill both of you!" he raged. With preternatural speed he was on the pair, snarling, eyes blazing with fury.

Suddenly cold fingers brushed the scar that raked Draco's cheek accompanied by a cruel voice, "You must be the one Adrian told me about. He promised me some fun with you, and I rather think I should get to have that fun, don't you?" The man's fingers left Draco's ruined face yanking hard instead on blonde hair, pulling his head back and exposing his neck. Draco wanted to move, to scream, but the man's vice-like grip coupled with his own fear froze him in place. But before he could feel the painful sting he was sure was coming he heard Harry's angry voice break through.

"Leave him alone!" Harry shouted, wand raised.

"Stupid boy! You think I'm threatened by your magic? You can't hurt me if you can't hit me!" he taunted and in a flash was on Harry, hand raised and claws glinting. Draco watched in horror as the vampire made to mark Harry as he had been marked.

Several things happened at once. Draco screamed and lunged at the pair. Harry took the vampires proximity as an opportunity to fire a low Bombarda off at him. Aurors aparated on scene and shot off their own disarming spells. When the haze of magic cleared the vampire lay on the ground stunned and bloody. Aurors swarmed around him, easily taking him into custody. Draco rushed over to Harry immediately.

"Are you ok?" Draco gushed as he reached his hand to Harry's face, turning from one side to the other, and sighing with relief at seeing that he was unharmed. Harry gently pulled Draco's hand from his face and shot him a concerned look.

"I'm fine," he said quickly dismissing Draco's anxieties. "But what about you, how's you neck? Did he bite you? Did he hurt you?" Harry asked, real distress obvious in his voice.

Draco was touched by his display. Maybe he actually does care for me, at least a little bit. Draco thought hopefully. But then another voice, that same small bitter voice from before piped up again. He's just a hero. He cares for everyone. And YOU'VE out him in danger. YET AGAIN. How many times is he going to rescue you? How long before he gets hurt, because of you. Draco shuddered and tried to suppress those thoughts.

Harry was beginning to look extremely distraught and opened his mouth to speak again when Draco finally remembered to respond.

"I'm fine," he interjected. "I'm fine, he, he didn't do anything. Let's just go talk to the aurors and head back to the castle. I'm tired." And suddenly he was. All the previous warmth of the afternoon together had vanished and Draco wanted nothing more now than to just sleep. Sleep, and not wake up.