"Because I like you, you idiot!"

There was a shocked silence, Draco suddenly realised what he said, ohshitohshitohshit! He hadn't meant to confess, it had just come out without his permission! He looked at Harry quickly, he was frozen in place, mouth hanging open. Maybe he hadn't heard? No, of course he'd heard, he had shouted it after all. He'd ruined it, there's no way he could face him again, why did he have to open his stupid mouth for? Not waiting any longer for the rejection that was sure to follow, Draco took off at top speed, not looking back. He wouldn't be able to handle it if a look of disgust were to be directed at him. Hate he could handle, disgust he could not.

—

Harry stood there, trying to process what had happened. Malfoy had just told him he liked him while crying, he said that he liked Harry. Strangely enough, he wasn't disgusted, that much he knew, but then, what did he feel? And, more importantly, what will he do now? He can't just ignore it or forget about it, it wouldn't be fair on Malfoy. Harry thus resolved himself to think very carefully about what it was that he felt for Malfoy exactly and how he would then answer his confession.

—-

He'd been avoiding bumping into Potter and his friends for the last two weeks since his accidental confession, he was just waiting for him to tell all his friends and ridicule Draco for being a disgusting homosexual. He was getting more nervous by the day as he failed to hear anything, maybe that was his plan? To drive him to insanity!… deep down, Draco knew that Harry Potter wasn't that type of person, but he had shown his most vulnerable part of himself to the person who hated him the most, so there was no telling what he was capable of doing.

Ever since the confession he'd noticed that Potter had been staring at him quite a bit, during dinner, in lessons, even during quiddich matches! Why was he staring? Had he never seen a homosexual before? Was it fun to make him nervous? He just didn't understand and it was driving him nuts!

—

The more Harry stared at Draco, the more he felt that a relationship with him wouldn't be that bad, he'd started noticing little things about him that he hadn't before and two and a bit weeks later had him thinking that being with Draco was actually quite appealing. He'd tried to imagine the two of them doing different things, like holding hands or cuddling by the fire, he even went so far as to imagine them kissing! What he found was that he wouldn't mind it at all.

He came to the conclusion that he probably liked Draco too, now it was just a matter of finding him again and telling him this. Having resolved his feelings he got up from where he was sitting in the common room and set off to look for him.

After a while of searching and a few inquiries later, Harry found him sitting once again in the secluded spot outside, reading. Harry walked up to him, he hadn't noticed he was there yet, so he cleared his throat which made poor Draco jump. It was, Harry thought, quite cute.

Draco looked somewhat like a deer caught in headlights when he noticed it was Harry standing in front of him. He scrambled a little to get up, prepared to run at any second.

"Draco, wait, I need to talk to you." Draco looked a bit shocked, maybe at the use of his first name? Come to think of it, Harry wasn't sure when it was that he'd started using it, it had just sort of…. happened.

In any case, his words seemed to do the trick and Draco stayed and turned to face him. He looked apprehensive and maybe slightly defeated? Harry wasn't sure what to make of his expression.

"what do you want?" He sighed, looking to the ground.

"It's about what you told me a while ago the last time we met."

A look of comprehension crossed crossed Draco's features, which then almost immediately turned guarded and sad. "So have you come to ridicule me? To tell me I'm disgusting?" He spat out.

"What?" Harry asked confused, why would he think that?... oh... oh! He still thinks I hate him! "No I would never!" He took a step closer while Draco took two steps back. "Wait, please just listen to what I have to say! Don't run away." He pleaded. Draco studied his face looking for something, then sighed heavily and said in a tired voice, "Fine, I'll listen".

Harry took a deep breath, "Okay, when you told me you liked me, I was shocked, really shocked actually, but I guess I was happy, happy that you didn't actually hate me. I didn't feel disgusted at all and so these last few weeks I've been thinking really hard about your confession and how I felt about it, felt about you, and I realised that I…. that I kind of maybe like you too." Harry stopped and looked at Draco who was staring back at him in shock.

"You're lying, there's no way you like me. You just said that to make fun of me didn't you, because you know how I feel! I bet your friends are hiding somewhere sniggering at how fun it is to ridicule of my feelings! right?" His eyes once again tearing up.

Harry stared back at him in shock, how had his confession turned into this? Even if Harry hated someone, he would never, ever do this. "I'm not lying to you! I like you Draco! I really do!" He stepped closer to Draco, they were maybe two steps apart now. Harry looked into Draco's eyes, "Please believe me, I like you, I really, really like you".

Harry took a chance and closed the gap, taking Draco into a tight hug. Draco struggled a little but settled down when Harry started whispering his feelings into his ear, and stroking his hair. He reminded Harry of a cat like this, he then thought of past situations where his actions were like that of a cat, all proud and aloof. He sniggered slightly.

"Why're you laughing?" Came a slightly offended voice.

"Nothing, just thought you're like a cat, you're really cute you know"

From Harry's arms came an offended "what!" And Draco started to push Harry away. He was frowning at Harry "I am not cute! There is something wrong with your brain Potter"

"Hmm maybe," Harry replied smiling, "so, are we going out now?"he asked a little nervously.

"Ha, you wish! I'll maybe think about it if you get on your knees and beg me" Draco replied haughtily now back to the smug, proud Draco that Harry knew (and now also loved). The only evidence of the weak Draco from before was the slightly red eyes from his tears.

"I love you" Harry said again.

Draco's cheeks darkened slightly, he looked away clearly embarrassed. Harry just laughed and hugged him again, "Can I kiss you?" He whispered into his ear. Draco blushed more and huffed. "I suppose I can allow that."

Again Harry laughed lightly at how Draco's once haughty attitude just seemed cute to him now, when previously he had hated it with a passion. "Just like a cat" he said quietly before leaning in and pressing his lips to Draco's. He had never kissed anyone before and was nervous under his bravado. Was it okay? Did Draco hate it?

They broke a apart and looked into each others eyes, then it suddenly hit Harry that he had just kissed someone and not just anyone, he had just kissed Draco! This sudden revelation had him blushing bright red and all his confidence suddenly deserted him. "Uh…uum. .." Harry started, trying to say something, he wanted to ask if it was okay, or if Draco wanted to break up with him now since he's a bad kisser, okay maybe not that, but he was nervous and not quite thinking rationally anymore.

"You call that a kiss Potter? Pathetic, I'll show a real kiss" Draco said and grabbed the back of Harry 's head with one hand and pushed their lips together once more. Harry had to admit, Draco was good, well better than him anyway, he didn't exactly have anything to compare it to. He hugged Draco closer to him as the kiss turned more heated and tongues started getting involved.

They finally broke apart again when the need for air got too much, they panted lightly foreheads resting against each other. "I love you" Harry murmured once again.

"Me too" came the even quieter reply. "Now get off me Potter, or we'll be late! I don't want to be seen walking with you into the great hall" he said removing himself from Harry's arms and turning away in embarrassment.

Harry laughed lightly as he watched Draco stride off, he waited a few moments before following him.