Chapter Ten

Draco stood in the Owlery staring out the window. He had just sent an owl to his parents telling them he would not be coming home for Christmas. It was a while a way, but he may as well get it over with. They were hiding with the help of the Order. He didn't want to have to put up with his father for that long. All the Malfoy's had betrayed Voldemort, but Lucius always acted as if it was Draco's fault. He was tired of hearing that he was cowardly and that no other Malfoy had showed disloyalty. He had never wanted to join the Death Eaters. Now everyone acted as if he were something dangerous. Not that he really liked his old friends any more. Crabbe and Goyle weren't exactly the best conversationalists. Pansy was simply annoying. He used to enjoy the attention they all gave him, but not now. Not that he got it any way. He felt like he was invisible...

...except when he was with Harry. Had he really told Harry Potter that he loved him? Did he really mean it? He had when he said it. And Harry had said it back. Draco had realized that he loved him from the moment Harry had held his hand on the train. He had not admitted it to anyone until the day before. He was still in denial sometimes.

Footsteps cam from the stairs, and Draco quickly turned around. Harry had just walked in.

"What are you doing here?" Draco hadn't meant to sound so harsh, he had just been startled. Harry looked taken aback.

"I just came to see my bird," Harry said pointing to a snowy white owl perched near the ceiling.

"Oh, right. Sorry," Draco felt stupid. He had never been this embarrassed before. Was that a good sign? He didn't think so. The owl flew down and landed on Harry's arm. He began to stroke her head. "Cool bird," Draco was trying to act normal as he took a step toward Harry and Hedwig.

"Thanks," Harry's voice cracked, and his face reddened.

"Yeah ... er ... about yesterday--" Draco wasn't sure what he had been planning on saying, but he was saved from thinking of something because Harry interrupted him.

"I meant it, what I said I mean," Harry spat it out quickly as if he didn't want to let himself not say it.

"Me too," Draco admitted. If Harry was going to be honest, so would he. They stared at each other for a long while.

"No one can know, at least no right now," Harry seemed to have planned out what he would say. Draco nodded. Harry took a step toward him. Hedwig seemed to know he would be using his arms soon because she flew off out the window. She was right. Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist. Draco put his hands on Harry's cheeks, staring into his green eyes.

Soon they were kissing. Draco ran his fingers through Harry's wild hair. Thank god we're both wearing T-shirts and I don't have to bother with any buttons this time, Draco thought. At this thought he reached for the hem of Harry's shirt to pull it off. Harry reacted by pulling off Draco's. For a few seconds they stared at each other's bare chests.

"You're beautiful," said Harry and he immediately began kissing Draco again. Draco's hands explored Harry's back and then came to rest on his hips, on the waist band of his pants. Slowly he moved his hands forward and began to unbutton Harry's pants. Harry didn't object. He began to do the same on Draco. Soon both pairs of pants were cast aside to rest near the T-shirts.

All of a sudden Draco found himself on the floor Harry laying on top of him. They were still kissing. Draco knew what was going to happen. Soon their underwear would be off and then ...

A sharp pain shot through Draco's leg. He yelped and looked down. Mrs. Norris had sunk her claws deep into his leg. Mrs. Norris always meant Filch.