The food, which as everyone already knew, always was excellent, tasted like week old cabbages to Harry. All of it. And why wouldn't it? All he could think about was Draco being better, and then, he'd get selfish, and think maybe it would be better if Draco didn't get better. Then he wouldn't have to break his heart. Then he'd smack himself for being such an ass to think that.
He had been chewing on the same piece of bread for the past fifteen minutes, trapped in thoughts of Draco. By now there were rumors all over the school as to how Draco had ended up hurt, the most common (and far-fetched) was that his father had asked him to use his body to become a professional prostitute so he could get some extra money, Draco had declined and his dad had gotten mad. Harry had no idea where that had come from, but he made no effort to prevent it. He didn't want anyone to connect him with what had happened.
Draco's gender preference was all over the school now too, and funnily, no one seemed surprised. "He always did grope me when we won a quddich match." Harry could hear Draco's x-friends say as they switched between classes. Harry felt like punching his face in, and laughing at the same time. It wasn't at all funny the way people abandoned Draco though. That was just disgusting.
There was one boy though, a slytherin, that had stopped him in the hall-way. He had been small and lithe, with the most beautiful blue eyes Harry had ever seen. "I've seen him before.' Harry thought.
"I just wanted to say that I think you and Draco are really sweet together." He had smiled, fiddling with his tie. "Don't let anyone get between you guys, okay?"
Then he'd kissed Harry's cheek, but it had been so friendly and warm, Harry hadn't even thought of moving. The boy had obviously not been making a move on him. It had been really weird. But it had given him hope.
"Harry?" Ron was waving his hand wildly in front of Harry's face. "You've chewed that bread to the max, could you swallow it now?"
Harry blushed and complied. "Sorry." He said.
"What's up?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. "It's complicated. I'd rather not-" He was interrupted though, by the sight that greeted him. It was all he could do to prevent himself from shooting out of his chair, and running across the great hall's floor to scoop Draco in his arms and shower his pale face in kisses. The murmurs in the room increased as Draco walked down the hall and sat between Blaise and the blue-eyed boy Harry had encountered, who squeezed Draco's hand supportively.
It was extremely hard to pull his eyes away from Draco, who looked weak and upset and sick, and the he could only do it because Ron slapped his hand (a bit too hard for his liking) "Stop staring." Ron hissed. "People are going to start getting even more suspicious about you two."
Harry grumbled something along the lines of 'not caring what people thought' under his breath before turning back around in his seat, crossing his arms and biting his lips. "Its okay Harry." Ron said, rubbing his back comfortingly. "You'll get to be with Draco later today."
Harry crossed his arms, but couldn't stop the hope from escaping in his voice. "How do you know that?" he asked.
Ron stuffed a piece of bacon and buttered toast in his mouth. "Cause today," he said matter-of-factly, licking his fingers. "Is Saturday, and a hogsmade day. Everyone's going out, there's this huge concert , perfect Harry/Draco time."
Harry's eyes lit up then faded. 'Perfect, Harry-break-Draco's-heart time.' He thought darkly. But he would make the most of this time, the last special time that he'd ever get to spend with Draco. Draco. He'd gotten so close to him. And no he had to let go. But he would ignore that, and make it special, so in years to come he would remember this.
He wasn't going to bother try to tell himself any shit about this being a 'comfort-relationship' any more. Being with Draco when he'd gotten hurt had showed him that. He cared for Draco. Past friendship, past snoggers, past two guys with raging hormones that used each other to get a grope. This was… Harry wouldn't say, because it didn't make sense how it could have happened. Draco listened to him, and never thought him as 'the boy who lived.'
He saw him as nothing and that's what Harry loved. He had to earn Draco's love and earn his trust and his heart and…his love. Harry brushed away the last thought and replaced it with fondness. Yes, he had to earn Draco's fondness. 'I wonder if I've earned it yet.' Not that it mattered.
"See ya Ron. I've got to get ready for later. I've got to get ready for Draco." He smiled getting up. Ron suddenly grasped his arm and pulled him down, pressing his lips to Harry's. Harry froze till Ron let him go. "Knock E'm dead." He said simply and innocently, turning back to his food. Harry was happy to see Ron wasn't flustered. Ron was glad to. He couldn't move much cause of how hard Blaise had shoved into his the day before but it was worth it. It had been steamy and sexy and everything he had wanted and he'd forgotten about Harry. Blaise had even let him scream when he climaxed and he'd been turned on by it. All seven times…
"Harry?" Draco called uncertainly. He voice echoed out though the space in the room of requirements. Harry wasn't anywhere in sight. For a second he got a sickly feeling in his stomach as he wondered about if Harry was suicidal and had gone and done something drastic. It was the absolute first time Harry had called for his help. It was a bit insensitive seeing what he had just been through, Harry hadn't even come to see how he looked, but he was ready to do whatever it took to help Harry feel better. He had something to tell him too. Something he had realized while floating in and out of consciousness in Harry's arms. Harry made him feel safe. He wanted that feeling forever.
He wanted to be with Harry forever.
He would do anything for Harry.
He knew it, he wouldn't deny it.
He was unmistakably, undeniably, unquestionably, conclusively…fallen for-
"Draco." He heard the soft whisper in his ear behind him, tickling his senses and toying with his mind. Draco's heart leapt. "Harry." He smiled turning to his angel. "Harry, oh Harry, sweet, sweet Harry, I've missed you so much love."
He knew he sounded like a pathetic, wallowing girl, but he didn't care. He'd just been through the most horrendous experience in his life and it was more than enough comfort to be in Harry's arms right now. He needed Harry. So badly, he needed him.
"What's wrong?" he asked, after simply basking in Harry's presence for a few moments. "Huh?" Harry said, obviously confused. Then he blushed. Draco nuzzled his face in Harry's neck. He was so cute when he blushed. It felt so good to be with Harry. So good…
"Oh." Harry grinned. "Actually, I only called you as an excuse. I wanted to be with you Draco. I wanted to see how you were."
Draco felt his body flooding with emotions. Oh course. Harry wanted to know how he was. Harry had always cared. He looked up at Harry, getting overcome with the feeling again. That feeling.
Harry could tell, and lead Draco to a huge bed in the centre of the room. It was soft and inviting and Draco sat down, with Harry beside him. "I'm fine." He began softly. "What my father did to me…but I'm fine."
He raised his eyes to meet Harry's concerned gaze. "Because you were there. I'm fine because you were there for me. I'm fine because for the first time in my life I know that someone cares about me, and actually wants me in this world."
Those damned tears were rising in his eyes again and he brushed them away impatiently. "I don't care what happens to me now, because I know someone cares for me. Do you know how much that mean? No, of course you couldn't."
Harry sat beside him and pulled Draco into his arms, who clung to him, burying his face deep in his passion. "It means everything Harry. You make me happy, you make life worthwhile. I've gotten to know you in a way I didn't think possible, and I don't know how to thank you."
Harry stroked Draco's hair, speechless. For a few minutes the room was silent, except for the sound of Draco crying and the sound of him whispering sweet nothings into his ear. His heart ached with the thought of the treasure that he was about to lose.
He didn't want to hurt Draco. He had to do it.
"It's been kind of overwhelming, these feelings." Draco said quietly. "And all these changes in feelings. But I swear you've made it all worth it."
He pulled himself from Harry's embrace and Harry bent at the same time as he moved upwards. Their lips met.
It felt like an electrocution coursing through both their vanes. Like magic. Harry pulled Draco closer, closer, upwards as the smaller boy withered beneath him. Draco's lips tasted like cherry and the muscular chest pressed against him felt lean and lithe. He needed more, he needed all of him. Tugging on Draco's bottom lip he kissed and nipped and asked for entrance. Draco parted his lips and Harry's tongue met his. Draco's arms couldn't possibly have been around him any more than they were now, and he couldn't possibly be hugging his body and loser but he pulled Draco in to him more. The kiss lasted about two minutes, and was so painful to let go of. Harry's lungs were bursting though he would've gladly gone on forever but he didn't want to hurt Draco. It was two minutes, but it felt like forever, eternity, infinity, perpetuity, a lifetime.
It still wasn't enough.
Because, as Harry looked down at the huge grey, adoring eyes looking up at him with such love and affection, at the boy who made him go reeling into heaven, the tiny body that was heaving with lack of air, he knew he would never get to see that look again.
He wasn't going to cry about it. Draco wasn't that important. Okay, big lie, he was, but he wasn't going to cry here. 'Maybe I can do it later.'
No, the longer he put it off, the harder it would be. He felt a surge of hate for Dumbledore for making him do it, but instantly felt ashamed. It had to happen now.
"Harry," Draco said, taking his hand. "Harry there's something I have to tell you."
His voice sounded shaky, yet earnest, and a blush was spreading across his pale face. "I've been trying to avoid this, but I can' ignore it anymore. I-I want you to know."
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Nothing, nothing." Draco said quickly. "What I wanted to say…"
He lost his nerve, pressing his lips then his cheek to Harry's own. "I can' say it."
"Draco, say it sweetheart. You know I won't judge you." Harry prodded gently.
Draco nodded and looked Harry in the eye.
"I love you." He said simply.
Thank you for the comments, Enigmus,Malfoys Only Chemo and ginebra18 for taking the time to comment on such a crapy story, done by such a horrid writer! Really appreciated.