Chapter Fifteen: The Dawn

-Author Notes: My explanation for this will not suffice. I was very sick when I wrote this fic. I never explained why it would sometimes take ages to update.

I had cancer. I beat it, and I've been ok ever since. But at my lowest point, I let this story go. Years later, I I decided I should write an ending for it, and here it is. If you don't want to count this as an ending, and would rather leave the previous chapter as a cliffhanger, feel free. (Trust me, I understand completely. I am fond of both endings.)

I'm sorry … I don't know if anyone still reads this. This story started out as a dream, and grew into a nice way to leave the world behind for a few hours while writing. Thank you all for listening and writing your critiques. I have thought of you fondly. J

It had been years since Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter had left Hogwarts. So long, it had felt like a lifetime. They had built their home; their days as schoolboys together were now faraway memories in their minds, bittersweet.

The night that they had fainted together, yet apart, remained a vivid memory for them both. Neither could fully piece together what had happened that terrible night. Although they had left the Great Hall and headed in their own separate directions, it had been obvious to them afterwards that it was the moment that they realized they were to be connected for all time. It was the moment that the curse crested and then broke.

It was just after midnight. Once Harry had awoken, he had rushed out to find Draco. He hadn't been out for very long, for his skin was still moist with blood droplets – they hadn't had time yet to dry. He had no idea what was happening, he was simply scared.

Harry shed his robe and loosened his familiar red-and-gold tie. Blood dripped into his eye and he blinked furiously at the sting – or was it sweat? He couldn't be sure. His wand was slippery with it, whatever it was.

The halls and corridors rushed past him as he ran, blindly, towards where he knew Draco would be. He could already see him vividly in his mind, sprawled out on the floor. Harry couldn't run fast enough.

Rolling over in bed, Harry's arm instinctively wrapped around Draco's waist. Draco's body, slightly smaller and less muscular than Harry's, was so familiar, so comfortable. They had gotten to know each other's bodies over the years in ways they had never thought imaginable. Outside, birds chirped in the early morning. The sky was a dark blue, not quite light yet. Harry wasn't quite awake and he felt the desire to doze lazily next to Draco, who was still deep in sleep.

As Harry turned a corner, he could tell that the blond Slytherin boy was nearby, and in danger. He burst through a half-shut door and rushed into the dimly-lit room. Draco was curled up on the floor, blood escaping from the corners of his mouth and eyes. Harry's wand clattered to the floor as he dropped to his knees. Draco was breathing shallowly and a whimper fled his lips.

Harry was afraid. He held Draco close to him, pulling the boy into his chest. He feared that there wasn't anything he could do to save Draco. Harry didn't realize until his breathing slowed that he had tears on his cheeks.

Harry grasped Draco's shirt and breathed in his sleepy scent. Although their early morning peace was deep, Harry was beginning to wake up. He squinted, pushing one eye open, looking in different directions, trying to rub that stiff sleepy feeling out. Harry lifted a heavy arm to his eyes and finished the job with his fingers. As he lowered his arm back to Draco's waist, he smiled. Propping himself up on his other elbow, he leaned down to give the blond boy a soft kiss on the cheek. He thought about the night he had almost lost his mate.

Harry was at risk for losing more blood than Draco. Draco's blood had hardened on his skin and stopped flowing out of his facial orifices. His eyes fluttered open and caught sight of Harry. He was dizzy. Harry had blood smeared on his cheek – whose? Harry's eyes were squeezed shut, bright tears escaping, his mouth was slightly open in a pained grimace. Harry thought he was losing Draco.

Through his hazy vision, Draco brought a hand up to Harry's cheek and tried to sit up. Harry's eyes popped open with a start – Draco was alive!

"Oh, Draco, what happened – " he started.

Draco's lips curved up in that crooked smile of his. "Harry, you came for me."

At this, Harry's eyes started streaming again, as he caught Draco in the tightest hug he could muster. Draco was weak but managed to clasp his arms around Harry's neck. Harry finished sobbing into Draco's shoulder, his nose runny. For once, Draco didn't care. He pulled Harry tighter to him as his strength slowly returned.

"Psst… wake up, sleepyhead," Harry whispered softly into Draco's ear. His breath fluttered the wispy blond hair on Draco's cheek. This was one of Harry's favorite things.

"Don't let the morning take him…," Draco mumbled.

A sliver of dawn's light shone across the pillow, alighting upon Draco's hair.

Harry's eyes glittered in the fading evening light that entered the room through a small window near the ceiling. They were a deep green, and finally at rest. The blood on his skin had dried, except for the parts that Draco was kissing off of his cheeks and lips. The two boys were happy to be alive and in each other's arms.

Harry nuzzled into Draco's neck, murmuring softly, "No one will ever take me from you." He had said this a hundred times, a million times, every morning that they had woken up together since that night. It was their tranquil routine, and every time Draco mumbled those words to him, it stirred Harry's heartstrings. He smiled.

End