Disclaimer: JKR owns all the characters!

Sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up. I haven't been getting my emails and so I never realised that my beta had sent it back to me! And…on that note, a massive thank you to my beta!

Harry

"She said yes!" Ron shouted, as he burst threw the doors into the dormitory.

Harry smiled, "I told you she would!"

Ron couldn't stop the huge grin from spreading over his face. "I know, but…she said yes!"

An extremely happy looking Hermione walked into the room. "Hey Harry." She said, smiling shyly at him.

"Hey 'Mione," Harry replied, smiling back at her. "So, you two are officially a 'couple' now?" He said, laughing at the identical looks of happiness on his friends faces.

Ron nodded and grinned at Hermione. The three fell into silence, Hermione and Ron not being able to take their eyes off of each other and Harry sitting on his bed laughing silently at them. Hermione tore her eyes away from Ron and looked at Harry. "Are you sure you are ok with this? I mean…"

"Of course I am!" he said, jumping up and hugging her. "I think it's great that you two finally got your acts together."

Hermione gave an excited squeal. "Thank you so much!" She said, hugging him back. "I'm going to go tell Ginny!" She walked out of the room and Ron looked at Harry.

"You know, it's a real shame you don't like my sister."

Harry looked at him. "Why?"

"Well, because then you would have someone, you know." Harry shrugged. "I don't know, but you haven't liked anyone since Cho have you?"

Harry looked away and shook his head, not wanting to tell Ron who he liked, knowing that Ron would probably go mental.

"Exactly." Ron continued. "So, now I'm with Hermione, you should get together with someone and then you won't feel left out."

Harry laughed. "I won't feel left out. You two aren't my only friends you know."

"Well, if you do, just say so."

Harry nodded. "Course. So, I was going to do some homework, going to join me?"

Ron shrugged. "Well…want to play chess?"

Harry laughed again and nodded. "Better idea I'd say."

The two boys went into the common room and began to play a game of wizard's chess in which, for the first time in his life Harry won; as half way through it Hermione joined them and sat next to Ron. For the rest of the afternoon the three of them talked and laughed like there was nothing out there that wanted to kill them. At lunchtime they walked into the Great Hall, happy and laughing, with Ron and Hermione holding hands. They sat down and Harry looked across at the slytherin table where he saw Draco staring down at his food, nodding at whatever Pansy was saying to him. I'll ask him what's wrong later. Harry thought and then saw an owl coming towards him with a letter attached to its leg.

"Who is it from Harry?" Hermione asked when the owl perched on top of the table, staring expectantly at Harry.

Harry just shrugged, gave the owl some food and took the letter off of its leg. He didn't recognize the writing on the front and he opened the letter expecting it to be signed.

Harry.

Meet me at midnight. Astronomy Tower.

Harry looked across at the slytherin table and saw Draco looking at him and he realized it must have been from Draco. Harry nodded at him and turned away smiling, wondering what Draco wanted to talk to him about.

"So, what does it say?" Ron asked.

"It's just a letter from…Lupin, asking how I am getting on and stuff." Harry replied quickly, feeling wretched that he was outright lying to his friends.

"How is he? I mean, with Sirius gone…" Hermione trailed off, wondering why Harry never spoke about Sirius.

"He's fine." Harry mumbled, looking down at his plate, not wanting to talk about Sirius. He had been able to block him out of his mind and he didn't want Hermione to start asking questions.

"Are you ok?" She asked, staring at him, wanting him to confide in them.

"Yes." Harry replied shortly, continuing to stare down at his plate. He was determined not to look up and catch her eyes.

"Harry, you need to talk about it," She started to say.

"Leave it Hermione." Ron whispered, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "He knows we're here for him."

Harry smiled gratefully at Ron. Hermione looked upset, but nodded and continued eating her food, and the mood that they had been in earlier was lost: just like they all knew it eventually would be.

The rest of the afternoon passed slowly for Harry as all he wanted to do was to go and see Draco and as he lay in bed waiting for everyone else to fall asleep all he could think about was Draco. After everyone had finally fallen asleep, and grabbing his cloak he made his way slowly and quietly to the astronomy tower. When he got there Draco was already there, sitting on a window seat and staring out at the grounds. Harry stood in the doorway, staring at Draco and the way the moonlight made him look. His soft hair brushed the edges of his eyes, and his skin was ivory white. The only word that Harry could think of to describe him was perfect. Harry couldn't take his eyes off of him and blushed when Draco turned around and saw him standing there.

"Hi." Draco said, looking at Harry for a second and then turning back around. "Thanks, for coming."

"It's fine." Harry said, going to stand next to Draco. "Did you want to talk about something?" He asked, looking out of the window as well.

"Yeah." Draco said. He paused, and looked at Harry. "You know, I was really surprised when you talked to me last night. I didn't really understand what was happening." He stood up and started to pace up and down, Harry just watched him, not sure what Draco was going to say. "And then, this morning, when you walked off, I just began to think about what was happening. You know?" Harry nodded, not wanting to interrupt Draco. "And you want us to be friends? You asked me if we are, and I said we are. But we aren't. We never have been, and we never will be." He stopped pacing and looked at Harry.

Harry stared back at him, wondering what had made Draco change his mind so dramatically. "Has something happened?" He asked. "To make you change your mind." He continued when Draco didn't reply.

"Were you not listening to what I just said Potter?! We can't be friends. We can't." He repeated, looking down at the floor.

Harry felt a lump rising in his throat. He never would have thought that Draco felt so different to how he did. He knew Draco didn't feel the same about him as Harry felt about Draco but he thought that Draco liked him, if only as a friend. Harry had thought he had finally found someone that he could talk to, someone that wouldn't be careful around him, someone who would say the truth. Harry stared at the top of Draco's head. "Why?" He asked.

"Because..." Draco said, looking up at him. "Because of what will happen."

"What?" Harry repeated, hating himself for sounding stupid, for just standing there staring at Draco.

"Just listen to me Potter. I can't be your 'friend'."

"I don't understand" He said, trying to stop the tears that were threatening to flow.

"Don't understand what? Are you stupid or something?"

"Don't even bother." Harry said, finally looking away and sitting down.

"Don't even bother with what?" Draco asked, watching Harry.

"Insulting me. You've done enough already."

"Harry, listen to me. Please."

Harry looked up, astonished at how heartbroken Draco sounded and amazed that he had called him Harry.

"Please, just. I don't want you to get hurt."

Harry smiled weakly. "I see." He understood now. Draco was scared and because of this, he was trying to push him away. Harry had done it before to his friends, but he wouldn't allow Draco to do it to him. He wouldn't lose Draco. Even if he could only have him as a friend, he would make sure that he would be there for him, whenever he needed it.

Draco

Draco made his way slowly to the astronomy tower. His afternoon had gone slowly after seeing Harry receive his letter. He sighed, he didn't want to do this, but he had to. He had to make Harry understand why he was doing it, but at the same time he just wanted to get it over and done with. Finally, he reached the astronomy tower and sat on the window seat facing the Hogwarts grounds. He stared out of the window, up at the stars. He heard Harry come up and stand in the doorway, but he didn't want to turn around just yet, he had to force his mask back on. It wouldn't do to break down in front of Harry. Finally, he turned around. "Hi." He said, looking at Harry and noticing that he looked happy. He turned back around, not sure if he would be able to say what he had to looking at Harry. "Thanks, for coming." He said eventually.

"It's fine." Harry said, going to stand next to Draco. "Did you want to talk about something?" Harry asked, looking out of the window as well.

"Yeah." Draco said. He paused. He didn't know how to start this, he didn't want to hurt Harry but finally he looked at him but then looked away. "You know, I was really surprised when you talked to me last night. I didn't really understand what was happening." He stood up and started to pace up and down. Just keep moving and talking. Don't look at him, if you look at him you will lose your nerve. This is going to help him, I have to do it. I can't let them get to him. I can't be selfish, he deserves more than me. Draco thought to himself, convincing himself that this is what he has to do. "And then, this morning, when you walked off, I just began to think about what was happening. You know? And you want us to be friends? You asked me if we are, and I said we are. But we aren't. We never have been, and we never will be." He stopped pacing and looked at Harry. He had said it, he couldn't take it back but as he looked at Harry, he wished he could. There was something in Harry's eyes that Draco had never wanted Harry to feel, especially if it was Draco that had caused him to feel like that.

Harry stared back at him and Draco wanted him to look away, he couldn't bear the look in Harry's eyes. "Has something happened?" Harry asked. He feels betrayed. It was the best thing to do… Draco thought to himself, trying yet again to convince himself that what he was doing was the right thing to do. "To make you change your mind." Harry continued.

Be horrible, make him hate you. "Were you not listening to what I just said Potter?! We can't be friends. We can't." He looked down at the floor; he couldn't bear to look at Harry anymore.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Because..." Draco said, looking up at him. He saw the hurt in Harry's eyes and it was all because of him, he had to convince Harry that it was for the best. He had to make sure Harry understood. "Because of what will happen."

"What?" Harry repeated

"Just listen to me, Potter. I can't be your 'friend'." Draco said, hating himself even more.

"I don't understand" Harry said, confusion evident in his voice.

"Don't understand what? Are you stupid or something?" Draco said, still wanting to get Harry to hate him. It will be easier for him.

"Don't even bother." Harry said, finally looking away and sitting down.

"Don't even bother with what?" Draco asked, watching Harry. He was glad that Harry had looked away, he couldn't bear the look in his eyes, but Draco still couldn't tear his eyes away from Harry.

"Insulting me. You've done enough already."

NO! Draco screamed at himself, Make him understand. He has to understand. "Harry, listen to me. Please." He said, he was surprised at how much true emotion he put into that and was even more surprised when he saw that Harry had noticed this as well. People never realise…He thought. "Please, just. I don't want you to get hurt." Draco said, embarrassed at how close he was to breaking down in front of Harry.

Harry smiled weakly at him. "I see."

Draco looked at him. Does he really understand? Does he really understand why I'm doing this? Stop it Harry, tell me it won't work. Don't let me do this, I need you. Draco was shocked at what he had just thought. This was the first time he had ever truly needed someone but he knew he did need Harry. Harry would be there for him, would help him and in return, I will hurt him. Draco thought bitterly to himself. If he understands he will do it, we will walk away from each other, go back to the hate.

"I think it's a crap reason, though." Harry said, looking at Draco.

"What?" Draco asked, shocked and confused.

"It's a crap reason to not be friends with someone, because you're scared."

"I'm not scared." Draco said automatically. Tell him, he needs to know. "I'm not scared of us being friends." He said slowly, wondering why it was only Harry that he wanted to tell his true feelings to. "It's what will happen if we are." He said quietly and looked at Harry, willing him to understand.

"What will happen?"

"They will use me, to get to you." Harry just looked at him. "My father…if he knows we are friends…then... They are more powerful than you know, Harry. They know things that hardly anyone does. I'm not scared of us being friends. I just know what will happen if we are and I don't want that to happen. I won't let you get killed because of me."

"I'm going to die anyway." Harry said quietly. "I just want to be happy while I live."

Draco looked at him and then understood what Harry was getting at. "But…if you die, because of me…"

"I won't die because of you. I will die because I'm not as powerful as everyone thinks I am. I will die because it's what is prophesied. I would rather be happy and not worry about what could happen if I am friends with you, than not be friends with you." He shrugged. "I used to think what you are thinking. I wanted to push Hermione and Ron away, so I didn't write to them over the summer, but then, when I saw them on the train I knew there was no point. They are my friends, they are here to help me whether I like it or not. Voldemort killed the people I love, people I don't even know and eventually, he will kill me, but before that time, I want to be happy. I want to be a child. People are forcing me to grow up to quickly. I understand why, they think I will save them and I don't blame them and I wish I could but I don't know if I can. There are people that are important to me and I will not let Voldemort take more of them away. So, if you don't want to be my friend because you are scared of what could happen then so am I, but I'd rather not think about it." Harry stopped and looked at Draco.

Draco looked back at Harry. He was right. There was no point worrying about something that might not even happen, and even if it does he would have had a point in his life where he was with someone who truly knew him. "You're right." Draco said to Harry. "It's just, I know what my father is like and I don't want them to get to you because of me, but I want us to be friends. I've always lived in fear of what could happen, so might as well continue it. Live life on a knife edge." He smiled weakly at Harry. "But, you are wrong as well. You have saved people already Harry, and even if you don't kill Voldemort people will always remember what you did for them."

Harry smiled back. "So, does this make us friends?"

Draco smiled at him, a proper smile. "Unfortunately."

Harry laughed. "Poor you." He paused, "Draco?"

Draco smiled again at Harry using his name. "Yes, Harry?"

"What are you really scared of? Not what could happen if we are friends but other stuff?"

Draco looked at Harry, wondering if he should tell Harry the whole truth, but then decided he had nothing to lose and something was telling him he could trust Harry, and that in a way he needed to tell Harry. "I'm scared of everything. And don't you dare tell anyone that. People don't think I'm scared; I don't let people know I am. But I am, I'm scared of waking up one day and finding out my mother is dead. I'm scared of my father sending for me and me getting the dark mark. I'm scared of what will happen when Dumbledore is no longer here to protect me. I'm scared of losing the three people I truly care for. I'm scared that one day somebody is going to see that everything I do is a lie, that I'm basically living a lie. I'm scared that I'm going to die never knowing true love. I'm scared of my father and what he could do to me(.)," He paused. "And I'm scared that one day I won't have anyone, and that it is because of me they died, and that I could have done something to prevent them dying. But the weird thing is, I'm not scared of dying myself. I know it's going to come I just don't know when." He looked away, embarrassed at how much he had said and the way Harry was looking at him.

"I never knew…" Harry said.

Draco smiled bitterly. "Of course you didn't. We were meant to hate each other. Even Pansy doesn't know it. You are the only person that does…and I'm really not sure why I just told you all of that."

"I'm glad you did." Harry said and then the two boys fell into silence. "So," Harry finally said. "What's with you and Pansy? Are you two going out?"

Draco laughed. "No, but she's amazing. She really is." Draco looked out of the window. "I don't know anyone else quite like her."

"Do you fancy her?" Harry asked.

Draco shook his head. "She is too much of a friend. She's been there when I needed her the most. She's been my first in everything. My first friend, the first person I kissed, first person I had sex with, first person who truly knew me. She has always been there for me, she knows if something is up, but she won't force it out of me. If I don't want to tell her, she accepts it and just sits with me. I love her so much." He shrugged. "Like I said, first of basically everything. She just knows me. I think you would like her" He said smiling.

"O."

Draco laughed. "How about you, who was your first?" He suddenly found himself craving for information about Harry.

Harry blushed. "I haven't…slept with anyone…"

Draco let out a snort of laughter. "Sorry." He said, covering his mouth but still grinning. "Really? Rumours are that you have slept with basically all the girls in our year in Gryffindor."

Harry went even redder. "No!"

"Not even Hermione?!"

"No!"

"Wow, everyone in Slytherin thought that was a sure thing."

"Well, if you must know, she is going out with Ron."

Draco laughed. "Aw, little Harry feel left out?" He said, smiling and loving at how he could mess around with Harry, feel happy and ignore all the things that were outside of the room, waiting for the both of them.

"No, I do not!" Harry said, giving Draco a push. "I am happy for them!"

"Ok ok, so what about your first kiss? You have kissed someone…right?"

"Yes, I have!" Harry said, going red again.

"Well…who was it then?"

"Cho Chang" He muttered.

"Chang?! In Ravenclaw? You fancy her?" He let out another snort of laughter. "I thought you had standards, Harry."

"I did fancy her, but it didn't work out…"

"Why?" Draco asked, controlling the laughter that was threatening to burst out.

"Because of Cedric, she kept crying over him. I think that's the only reason she went for me, because I was there when he was killed…" He stopped and turned away.

"Sorry." Draco said, wishing he hadn't said anything.

"It's fine, honestly."

They sat in another silence, both staring out at the sky. "Do you like anyone at the moment?" Draco asked, holding his breath.

Harry shook his head and he was glad it was dark as otherwise Draco would have seen him blush. "Nope, do you?"

Draco sighed. "No." He said quietly. He wasn't going to tell Harry that he liked him; he didn't want to ruin their new friendship. "It's really late…"

"Yeah, we should probably get going."

Draco nodded. "Listen, Harry. I'm sorry, for you know, but thanks for listening and not walking out on me."

Harry looked at him and Draco couldn't quite read the expression on his face. "It's fine. In a way I'm glad you did it, at least we understand what could happen, and you should know I'm always here Draco."

"Same." They looked at each other and then quickly looked away, both embarrassed. "Well, night." Draco said, turning to walk out of the room.

"Night Draco." He heard Harry say as he walked out of the room. He walked down towards the Slytherin common room, amazed at how things had turned out, and knowing that this is what he needed. "I need Harry James Potter." He said out loud and laughed softly.

Thank you again to all my wonderful reviewers. Keep them coming, I love getting them!