Disclaimer: Don't own HP

Hermione watched from a dark corner of the common room as Harry snuck out after curfew for the fourth time that week. She knew where he was going, who he was meeting. Yet she didn't understand why.

Malfoy was the last person Harry needed to be with. He didn't understand Harry. He knew nothing about him. Wouldn't try to learn anything about him. She was worried about him. What if he had one of his nightmares while he was sleeping in the Room of Requirement? Malfoy wouldn't know what to do, how to wake him up. Only she, Ron, James knew.

Just as only they knew what the dreams were about, knew how much pain they brought him. Dreams of an alternate universe where his parents were dead, he was raised by muggles and was treated horribly, and the Wizarding world both worshipped him and was afraid of him. Where witches and wizards were evil and followed a monster of a man who lived to kill, to torture. A man who specifically wanted to kill Harry, believing he was the only one who could stop him from creating an "idea" world with only purebloods.

She had to find a way to make Harry see that Malfoy was just using him. For what, she didn't know. It could be that Harry, being Head Boy, had the most influence with teachers and students alike, or to have an advantage in Quidditch. Harry was the type of guy who would give his lie for the ones he loved.

In her opinion, Malfoy didn't deserve that kind of love, and Harry deserved someone better than Malfoy. He deserved the man he really loved, even if he refused to admit it. It was up to her to put things right. If only she knew how.

HPHPHPHP

Harry loaned on his elbow on the bed in the Room of Requirement, looking down at Draco, who laid beside him with closed eyes and a satisfied smile on his face.

"Harry?" His voice was low and husky.

"Hmm?"

"Have you thought any about telling the school about us?"

Harry's eyes widened. "Of course not. We decided it was better to keep it a secret for a while. It's only been three weeks."

Draco sighed. "But you told Weasley and Granger. I want to tell my friends."

"You're more popular than I am. The whole school would know, and we both know that they won't like a Gryffindor and Slytherin being together. It's safer for us both to keep it quiet."

Draco opened his eyes, sitting up. "But I want us to be a real couple. I want to be able to go to Hogsmead with you this weekend on a date, like others do. I don't care if the school doesn't like it."

Harry sat up too and shook his head. "It's not just that the school wouldn't agree with us being together. I'm not ready for people to know."

Draco got out of bed and pulled his clothes on. "Whatever."

Harry jumped out of the bed. "You're mad, aren't you?"

"Yes! Why wouldn't I be? We've been together for three weeks and the only people who knew are the ones you want to know. You're know even giving me a say in it. I feel like you're ashamed of me or something."

"That's…"

"Ridicules? I know. Who could be ashamed of me? But, still, I can't help feeling that way."

Harry, still asked, sighed and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck. "I just need time. Please believe me, I'm just not…confidant enough to announce to the world that we're together."

"What if you're never ready to tell? If my father believes that I do not have a relationship, he and Mother will start to arrange a marriage, probably with Pansy Parkinson."

"You're more worried about an arranged marriage that you can easily avoid then me being ready?"

Draco kissed him lightly on the lips. "Of course not, baby. But it's not that easy to avoid Father's wishes. I don't want him to unknowingly tear us apart."

"Give me until Christmas holidays. Let's keep it a secret at least that long. We can tell everyone before we board the train. I will give them weeks to get used to the idea."

"Or forget about it totally and make things worse for us," Draco mumbled. "Alright, Christmas holidays." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "On one condition."

Harry eyed him nervously, showing his distrust. "What?"

"We spend the holidays together."

"I can't come to your manor for Christmas. With the divorce, Dad will need me with him. Sirius and Remus always spends Christmas day locked in their house and without me, he'd be alone."

"What about you staying with your mother? I don't think she'd allow you to stay with him."

"Forget Mum. I'm seventeen, I can choose who to live with. Dad at least treats me like an adult. Once I convince her to let me live there, I'm sure Dad will let you stay with us."

Draco looked slightly disappointed, but he nodded.

HPHPHPHP

"Mum, I'm fine," Lily said when she was asked for the fifteenth time if she was alright. "Don't worry about me so much. It's not like you didn't expect this to happen."

"I know, honey, but you loved James and this can't be easy for you. I'm also worried about Harry. Has he written back to you since you told him the news?"

Lily's face turned red with guilt. "No, and I'm not really expecting him to. He's probably blaming me for this. It'll be a while before he sends anything to me. He's written James, though.. He's doing well enough, and that's all James would say about Harry. He's still depressed about me getting Harry."

"Have you thought about what Harry wants?"

"His needs come first. James wouldn't be enough of a parent for him. Harry wouldn't have any discipline with him."

"He might decide that, if he can't stay with James, he'll move out as soon as he's out of school. This is his last year, you can't make him stay with you. You'll have to let him go, just as your dad and I let you and Petunia go."

"But we were ready. Harry's still just a kid. He wouldn't be able to take care of himself. He can't cook, his room is always a mess, and he has no restraint with spending money. He's just like James."

"Many kids don't. They learn on their own, just like you did."

"Can we talk about something else, Mum?"

"Alright."

HPHPHPHP

Ouch! James yelped, sticking his finger in his mouth. "Damn it, I don't get how Lily does this without getting hurt." He glared down at the burnt hamburger patty. "There's probably some secret to it that only women know."

"Talking to yourself is the first sign that you're going crazy," Sirius said from the doorway. Behind him was Remus, laughing quietly to himself.

"Moony?" James said, pouting. "Help?"

Shaking his head, he said, "You need to learn how to do it yourself."

"Can you at least give me some tips?"

"Sure, start with something easy, like cereal."

James glared at him. "That's what I had for breakfast. Besides, I could make my own cereal since I was seven."

"What about toast?" Sirius put it. "It's easy. Even I can make it."

James blushed. "It always burns on me."

"A sandwich?"

"Had it for lunch." He held up a bandaged finger, "And the knife I used to cut it didn't' even like me."

"I'm not making another supper for you," Remus said, smiling. "If you don't start now, then you'll expect me to cook for you forever, and I have my own life outside your kitchen. Why don't you try to pay attention when you cook? Don't run off and do something else."

James's eyes widened in surprise. "I never even thought of that, Moony, you're a genius! If I watch it, it won't get burnt!"

Sirius laughed, "You're a dunce, Prongs."

"I wouldn't be laughing, Sirius," Remus said. "I think you need to learn to cook, too. I want you to cook something for me occasionally. I'm tired of sweating over the stove like some wife."

"But you are the wife."

"Who wore the dress to the wedding?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? James dared me too!"

Sorry it took so long, I've been busy. I lost this chapter on my computer and forgot to type it up again. I finally got to it though, and I should have the next chapter up in a week or so, since it's already written, I just don't have it with me. The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll try to get a way to put it up! So review!