I heard that you've settled down. That you've found a girl and you're married now. I heard that your dreams came true. Guess she gave you things I couldn't give to you.

"GOLDEN BOY MARRIES CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART."

"GOLDEN BOY BALANCES HEAD AUROR JOB AND 3 KIDS."

"GOLDEN BOY ACCEPTED OFFER AS HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS."

Each newspaper article was like a slap in the face to Draco. The 'Golden Boy', who never seemed golden to him until Draco lost him, was gone. Permanently. He had married the Weaslette from their days at Hogwarts, who, as a well kept secret, was never his childhood sweetheart.

It was Draco. Always Draco. Draco and Harry, who expected to settle down together in Grimmauld Place, and would never have to leave each others side with their pooled savings. Draco who could wear a white tux as he walked down the aisle to a black tux and smile wearing Harry. Draco who was supposed to grow with Harry and contribute to a relationship, unlike any other he had. But he couldn't. And Harry's dreams came true without Draco.

Old friend, why are you so shy? Ain't like you to hold back, or hide from the light.

Draco was going to do it. It wasn't a matter of wanting to or trying to confuse Harry. He physically, mentally, needed to see Harry, needed to get nothing more than an old smile or a suave brush of the hands. This was out of Harry's box of characteristics. He was never this shy around Draco. He had always attacked any situation with the blonde, and Draco missed his shining Harry.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited but I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it. I'd hope you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over.

This Apparation was the easiest of his life; all he had to do was close his eyes and imagine Harry, and when he opened his eyes, he was standing in Hogsmeade, facing his old school. The walk seemed to be short, but through it Draco's stomach was tossing and turning, wanting to see Harry so bad that he couldn't fight it, but at the same time wondering what Harry would do when he saw Draco; he hoped it wouldn't be bad. Or maybe Harry would see that Draco never ended them, could never end them fully, and Draco would get a smile and a hug, like nothing changed. The castle hadn't changed, now that he thought about it. The students were still either wide eyed with curiousness, or grinning with foolishness. And the Head Master's password was easy to guess, only for the fact that Harry told Draco what he would make it.

"Licorice Wands."

The room was exactly the same. Except now their was a portrait next to Dumbledore's of a young and handsome Harry, and an older and handsome Harry sat behind the desk with a surprised expression.

"Draco?"

"Yeah."

"How are you? We haven't talked in ages, I've been so busy."

"How busy could you be? Dumbledore had time to discover Voldemort's Horcruxes all while maintaining a 'healthy' relationship with you."

This was said a bit too cynically, and while Draco bit his tongue, Harry frowned. Then the worry lines faded, and Draco felt a spark of hope. Until Harry's eyes focused not on him, but on the ginger female in Quidditch robes behind the blonde.

"Oh. I-I'll come back later."

"No," Draco voiced, tearing his eyes away from the slightly smiling and full of adoration face of Harry. His dark head turned and the look stayed, and Draco felt slightly functional for a moment.

"Don't leave yet, Draco. Stay for dinner. Are you still excellent at Potions? Good, our DADA teacher is doubling as Potions Master, and the job is yours if you want, we have room-"

"Harry. I can't stay. It was a mistake to even come here. I should go."

There was clear pain on Harry's face now; the phrasing struck home, when Draco had told Harry that they were a mistake all those years ago. But the ex-Slytherin knew it would work, because now they were detached, until the raven haired man came forward. He got closer and closer until his long arms wrapped around Draco. Two pale hands fell on Harry's waist, and he could sob from how much he missed this.

"I will always love you, Draco."

Nevermind I'll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you, too. Don't forget me, I beg. I remember you said; sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead. Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.

Draco didn't leave the campus immediately. He never left, actually. He went to the lake and sat on the sandy shore. It was here that they came on their anniversary date, where they had laid out a blanket and then Harry moaned under Draco as he slowly rocked into the dark haired teen. Their first time. This was all too hurtful. Why did Draco think he could do this? He loved Harry. Always would love Harry. And he would never be able to accept that he lost the more important thing in his life.

"MALFOY HEIR FOUND DROWNED IN BLACK LAKE OF HOGWARTS. AUTHORITIES SUSPECT SUICIDE."

"GOLDEN HEADMASTER, HARRY POTTER, FOUND DEAD IN ASTRONOMY TOWER OF HOGWARTS. AUTHORITIES SUSPECT SUICIDE."

Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.