Next day breakfast

"Hey Ron. Hey Hermione. Have fun yesterday? We missed you at dinner." Hanna greeted them in front of the great hall, a smile across her face.

"Hi Hanna. Yes yesterday was very …fun." Ron's face was the color of his hair. Hermione hung behind him giggling.

"Yes it does seem-"

"-that you have finally-"

"-grown up some-"

"-over night. So tell use-"

"does your girl-"

"-have any kinky secrets?" The twins asked with cheshire cat grins.

"That is none of your business." Ron replied after finding his voice; leading them into the Hall to Gryffindor table.

"Ah so you did find something out then?" Lavender laughed.

"You sound like you have had firsthand experience. So who are you messing around with behind everyone's back?" the comeback took a bit of thinking but Ron found his mark the first try.

"Me and my person are staying on the down low right know." Lavender manages without panicking.

"You? The Lavender who like to shove it in everyone's face with how awesome her boy is? Unless…" typical of Ron to think out load and leave everyone else staring at Lavender.

"It's not a girl is it?"He finished quietly.

There was no way out of this one. She could not deny it with Hanna sitting right there. And she could not just walk off, for that would just give her away. There was no doubt this would reach back to her parents if the answer was not to their liking. But could she give up Hanna? It's now or never.

"Yes it is." Lavender looks down at her spot at the table. With a deep breath looking back up, "It's her choice now if we come out in the open." Passing the ball, Lavender sits down and starts serving herself some food. A body sits next to her and gently grabs hold of her hand. Looking up at the smile on Hanna's face, Lavender leans in and gently kisses the girl of her dreams, this was the right choice. As if it was nothing out of the ordinary both girls when on with eating, leaving everyone else to their own conclusions.

"Way to go girl!" the twins cheated together. Ginny looked at Lavender for a while, thinking about what had been said just yesterday. How could Lavender hate on one same sex pair and be one herself? It did not take much to figure coming out issues were the source of this mystery. With a smile, Ginny was glad Lavender had seemed to come to terms with it all.

With that thought, the post came in for the day. As usual many people got their Daily Prophet and letters from home. Not many took notice of the school owl when it landed on the Gryffindor table. Proud of its self for not landing in any food, the brown own hopped up to Harry's plate and stretched out his leg with a scroll. In the natural course of such event Harry untied the neatly rolled paper not really thinking about whom it could be from. At first look his eyes widened. On the front in perfect handwriting were the words 'For your eyes only'. After looking around first, Harry put the scroll in his pocket and fed the own a bacon slice before it left without anyone noticing.

Loading his plate quickly, Harry ate his bacon, eggs, and a bit of hash browns as fast as he could. All the while imagining who's handwriting it might be. The only Gryffindor with legible hand writing was Hermione. But hers was not elegant. She has no need to send him secret notes and besides she has been busy as of late with a red head. Then it hit him. His own late nigh adventurer. Draco. Could he want to meet up again? Or was he going to say last night was a mistake. His nerves all a jumble, Harry excused himself to the bathroom leaving half the food on his plate. He heard latter from many accounts what happened in the hall after he left.

After being headmaster for so many years, Albus had become tuned into Hogwarts needs. Hogwarts herself would tell him when he needed to work on a window or a staircase needed help. With this insight, he had an idea of what she was up to with her more complex plans. One in particular, Severus Snape. His sorry butt has been lonely for far too many years. Even without his mate currently in her halls, she knew from past events who it was. Remus Lupin. Being the 'oh so helpful' person he is, Albus asked Remus to come visit. Upon having a set between the headmaster and Severus at the head table, Severus and Remus found themselves bound to their chairs. After having a privet laugh, Albus bid them good day and left the great hall.

The story about what happens next varies depending on who you talked to. Some say they sat there staring at each other until Snape had to leave to teach class. Others say they cursed each other out. One thing was the same through each story. To get out of the chairs, Snape and Lupin kissed.

Now Snape is not a man who likes his business out in public. Lupin doesn't mind, but wants things to be figured out first in private. Neither of them was very happy with the situation. Two conclusions for certain came out of this event. One, they needed to talk privately and two, Albus Dumbledore was going to pay. Somehow.

Harry had rushed to the closest bathroom once he was free of the wandering eyes in the great hall. Locking himself in a stall he pulled out the scroll. Felling this moment could not be wasted he gave all his attention to the parcel in his hands. The scroll was evenly rolled and the tie was a perfect knot. Even the end of the string was the same length on each side. The only thing that marked the paper was the clean written words. Carefully he pulled the note free and un rolled the letter. Taking a deep breath he started to read:

Dear Harry,

I recognize this may seem a bit fast, but I could not wait for Hogwarts to make the next move for me. Though it is not my normal style I wish to invite you to meet me latter this evening. Once I fallowed you in this room, now I wish for you to fallow me after dinner to the room of requirements. Think of it this way, by making the meeting ourselves, we are not bound by to rules of the school to be back in the dorms at any certain time. All you have to do is keep an eye on me at dinner. When I leave, follow about five minutes after. If you wish to turn my offer down sit with your back facing the Slytherin table. Please except my offer.

One,

Draco Malfoy

Reading this note over and over, Harry just couldn't believe it was true. How could someone he has only looked at in this way for a short time, be so willing to let him in? It's almost like Draco had been planning this for a long time. But how? They have always been enemies. Could Draco really mean what he said, or was this all some elaborate trap. Still what he had said last night, all those amazing thing. Harry was willing to risk in. His mind set and nerves all the flutter, Harry headed for his first class of the day hoping not to lose his nerve by the end of the day. How better could he start this day but with double potions.

The day cared on. Potions class was brutal with Snape's hurt ego. While the rest of the teachers were light hearted from the great hall display. Dinner could not come soon enough. All day Harry had been keeping an eye on Draco when they shared class. He also knew that Draco had passed him five times in the hallway. Now at dinner his eyes searched the Slytherin table to find that bright blonde hair. There he was holding court in the middle of the table, facing the rest of the hall like always. Judging the distance, Harry found the center of the Gryffindor table and faced the Slytherin prince.

As Harry settled into his seat, Draco looked up from talking with his house mates to meet Harry's eyes. A quick smile graced his face seeing that Harry facing him. Just as soon as it came, it was gone. Draco was back talking with his house mates.

What would happen if a Slytherin and Gryffindor started dating? Sure it did not make too much of an uproar with Pansy and the Twins, but everyone is use to taking them with a grain of salt. What would happen if people found that the Ice Prince of Slytherin and the Golden Boy of Gryffindor wanted to date? It would through the structure of the house rivalries lead to chaos. Could they really through it all away for something more?

"Hey Harry what's up?" Ginny pulled his attention from across the table.

"What?" Harry blinked at her.

"You have been in your head since you sat down like twenty minutes ago. You have been eating but not really seeing."

"What do you mean?"

"You put tomatoes on your potato and ate it. You don't like tomatoes…"

"Oh…." How was he supposed to respond to this?

"So, what is on your mind?" Looking up Harry saw Draco leaving the table. "I guess I was just thinking about things I have to do." picking up his fork to finish eating.

"What kind of things do you have to do? You know you can tell me." Ginny gave her smile that just said you had to trust her.

"I know," with a sigh he looked around the table, 'later?" Understanding, Ginny nodded her head and let it drop.

"I'll see you later ok?"

"You better. And don't stay out to late" Ginny added with a wink.

"I got you, just don't stay up for me" Harry returned with a smile before walking away from the table. It was time for his date/meeting.

Standing in front of the room of requirement's door, Harry paused before opening. Never before had he felt his stomach in such knots. Not ever in any of his life threatening experiences did he feel this anxiety. If an over grown snake could not stop him, neither would a door. With a deep breath he pushed the door open.

On the other side was a room like no other. An amazingly comfortable looking carpet covered the floor. An elegant Slytherin bed was off to one side, balanced with a dark wood sitting area on the other. Draco was lounger in one of the deep blue chairs with his head towards the ceiling with his eyes closed. A tea set was sitting ready on a coffee table in front of him. Not wanting to bring attention to himself, Harry sat the matching seat next to Draco.

"I was worried that you were not going to make it." a soft voice broke the spell of silence.

"What?"

"It's passed five minutes…"

"Oh, sorry. Ginny caught me off guard and started talking with me. I told her I had to go as soon as I could."

"I can see that."

"So…you got any plans for this meeting?" Harry said glancing at the bed slightly worried look. He was not ready for anything like that.

"Mmm" Draco followed Harry's point of sight "Ah no nothing like that. I just picked this because it is what my room in the dungeons looks like. Though you might like it. It would have been hard to give you directions to its actual location."

"Ok. So if you did not plan that…what did you have in mind."

" Just talk."

"Just talk? Because I know what I was hoping for and it was not just talk." A smile/smirk appeared on Harry's face.

"Is that so." Draco was looking at Harry with a different kind of interest now and angling his body to face the dark haired boy.

"Well yeah, we both know how we ended up on that tower together last night. And that means Hogwarts sees us as soul mates. And it's just that I was wondering … all day long… what it would be like to…"

"To what?" He leaned over to the nerves looking Gryffindor sitting next to him.

"It's just that I was hoping to maybe…I don't know… get to see what it would be like to kiss you." With that said Harry looked down at his hand as his face slowly turned red.

"The fearless Gryffindor turns red at the thought of a kiss. My my, am I just that intimidating?" This did not help Harry at all. With a sigh knowing teasing will not get him anywhere he wants to be, Draco reached out his hand and touched Harry's chin. With a bit of pressure he got the nerves boy to look at him. "Harry, I would love to give you that kiss." Not feeling Harry any pull away from him, Draco leaned in.

Time seemed to stop and speed up all at the same time. To Harry, Draco could not move fast enough for his liking. Then on the other hand, time speed up, nothing was going to let Harry pull away or stop what was about to happen. Even though he did not want to miss anything, Harry eyes instinctually closed. His senses went into over drive, the feel of Draco's smooth hand on his chin barley holding him in place. The smell on his breath, mint. The energy that seemed to build up with less than an inch between lips. Finally the electric shock and fireworks that happened when they touched. It was like his whole life was waiting for this moment.

Draco could not believe it. Something he had dreamed about for years was right in front of him, offering what he has wanted for so long. This was not something he could waste. But he also did not want to scare him in case of the chance to have more of this forbidden fruit in the future.

As their lips met it was like puzzle pieces finally coming together. Intake of breath was heard, but from who you could not tell. Little by little more pressure was put into the kiss. Harry's hand found their way into Draco's soft free flowing hair. Encouraged, Draco pulls his head back some while leading Harry's to follow him. Not in a position to argue, Harry followed the leader blindly until him was sitting on Draco's lap.

When Harry got on his knees and straddling Draco, he tangles one of his hands in Draco's hair and lays the other between the neck and shoulder. Draco couldn't help but pull him closer. With his right hand on the back of Harry's neck he pulls his prize down to him. With his left hand on his back he gets a full body contact. Event with clothes on, it is not a disappointment.

With a moan at all the new sensations, Harry's lips part just that little bit. Testing new grounds, Draco copied the move. Unsure tongues were soon to fallow in the new discovery of one another. Not worried anymore, Draco entered and explored Harry's mouth. He could taste the potato that he had for dinner, the underlining pumpkin juice, and most of all something that could only be describe as Harry.

Oh how Harry's mind was is a buzz. Such new sensations and experiences. The feel of the hand on his back. The way he came alive at first touch of tongue to tongue. This was nothing like that wet mess from Cho. To freely let someone explore your mouth was overwhelming. Thoughts left his mind in exchange for just enjoying the ride. When Draco's tongue seemed to beg his own to come and visit his home, nothing was about to stop him. This was new, and the best way to do new is to let things work on themselves. Subconsciously Harry mimicked all what Draco had just done to him.

There was no need for Draco to hold him down. Harry was actively trying to wrap himself around his new found drug. But like everything else, they had to breathe some time. They backed up slowly, fearful of letting go. While arms stayed entangled along with the legs, lips separated. Tongues reached through the air for that last touch.

Breathing deep, eyes opened with glazed looks. Knowing it would be ok, Harry laid his head down on Draco's chest by his left shoulder. Draco's arms wrapped tightly around him, as if afraid he would disappear. Scared, but knowing it had to be said Harry spoke after a few minutes.

"What do we do now?" it was said in a scared whisper.

"I'm not sure. It's up to us."

"Do you mind everyone else?" Draco sighed, knowing what Harry was talking about. The rest of the world. He can see it now, headlines: Death Eater Son Corrupts Hero Harry Potter. Yeah, he knew there was big chance things were not going to be good.

"A bit. But Harry this is our life. It's not there business what we do. Besides, whatever they throw at us, we can get through it together."

"Who knew the Ice Prince had a soft side." getting a glare from Draco. Harry could now see a soft undertone.

"You and very few close friends. And I would like to keep it that way."

"For you, anything." Another pause fallowed. They were not people that put their real hearts on the line very often. Each grew up with reasons to hide it.

"Hey Draco."

"Mmm"

"What was it like growing up for you?" Draco gave Harry a mixed look of confutation and a bit of coldness

"Why do you ask?"

"Well I know you don't like what you were trained to be and who your Father picked sides with, but what was it like having a family that wanted you?"

"Harry…" sadness laced that one word. It's hard to believe all the ways a person could grow up. Each family has its problems, big or small. What would it be like growing up and knowing you did not have a family that wanted you? Knowing he was not going to get information for nothing, he came up with a deal.

"How about this. I'll tell you about my childhood, and then you tell me some about yours. Like a trade." Harry paused. He wanted to know more about this man who held so tightly to him. But did he trust him with his own life? Well he had to start somewhere, so he agreed with a quick nod of the head.

"Ok, oh I don't know where to start. My childhood was…spoiled you could say. If there was a new toy I wanted, I got it. My closest could have been a clothing store. In physical possessions I was never lacking. The friends I had were all friends of the family name. Blaise, Pansy, Crab, and Goyle all knew me before school. The five of us had play dates arranged for us by our parents. My family name demanded perfection. Once I could walk I learned the proper way to walk. Once I could talk I learned the proper way to talk. And so on. Each normal task was changed and made strict by the Malfoy Code of Honor. Who I was allowed to talk to, who I could tell things to, emotions I was never to feel. I was told love was bad, that a marriage was a business contract. Sure my parents loved me, or they seemed to. I had not disappointed them yet. There were things I saw other kids do at the street market or in passing a park that I could only dream of doing. Such as hugging my parents in public, and getting anything dirty. My parents raised me the way they were raised, and I cannot wrong them for that. I just plan to be nothing like them." His voice was neither calculating or cold, just resigned.

A pause allowed the information time to sink in and for Draco to bring himself out of his past. "Draco."

"Mmm" Draco absent mindedly rubbed a hand up and down Harry's neck.

"Will you hug me in front of other people?"

"If you want me to."

"I'd like that." Harry's head stayed relaxed on Draco's chest. He knew it was his turn, but were to start. The comforting touch on his neck made everything a little less dark. With a kiss to the bottom of Draco's neck, Harry prepared himself to begin.

"I did not always have a room. When I got my first letter from Hogwarts it was addressees to my cupboard under the stars. My Aunt and Uncle got worried that people were watching them so they moved me to Dudley's second room. My cupboard had my old cot matrices and one light bulb at top. Whenever I got in trouble or one of them were having a bad day I would get locked in from anywhere from a day to a week. They would let me out for the bathroom once a day along with a little bit of food. I got my water from the bathroom sink. To pay for my keep in the house, all chores were to be done by me. I learned to make breakfast by 4 years old. I could do basic housekeeping at two. If I could walk I could work. The only way I knew when my birthday was, was because my list of chores got longer. They save the hard ones up for special occasions. I liked to garden though. Then I got to be outside in the sun. Even though the thorns would cut my hands, and when I burnt it hurt a lot. When I was 6 they had to start me in school. The teacher called my name but I did not know to answer. I had never been called Harry or Potter, just freak, boy, or nephew. I…"

"It's ok Harry. You don't have to go on right now." Draco's voice cracked with pain at such a past. A magical child was a treasure, not a slave. It's no wonder Harry reacted how he did to people that first year of Hogwarts. All that fame and attention, hate and ah that he had no idea where it came from, or what to do with it.

"But you want to know. And I've already started." Harry's eyes were so lost in the hurt of his past.

"Ok but only if you want." Taking in a new breath Harry continued.

"I was seven when I learned what it meant for Uncle Vernon to be really angry. He came home drunk after a bad day at work. I was taking the garbage out and the bag ripped while I was still in the back yard. One of the bottles broke in half. Uncle Vernon herd the notice and came out side. He screamed about everything he could think of. Then he picked up the top end of broken bottle and though it at me. It cut my right shoulder pretty bad, but they were not about to waste money and a Doctor visit on me. Luckily, unknown to any of us, my magic healed it the best it could. Meaning I lived. Seeing that I healed so well, this kind of thing started happening more." Harry took in a shuttered breath.

"May I see?" Draco was not sure if he really wanted proof of the pain Harry had been through. None the less, Harry sat up enough to take off his shirt and lean back agents Draco's chest. Draco touched the now bare back seeing the countless small scares. He ran his hand along the biggest one. Just along the right shoulder blade was a jagged and messy scare. It was four inches long. He could only imagine how big it was on a seven year old. "Is there, anything else?" Draco feared to ask.

"Not really, they lightened up after I started Hogwarts. They were more scared of me. The best year was when they saw my godfather on the news. They did not even tough me once that year." Harry said with a sad smile.

"Harry" Draco started up again after a short breath

"Mmm" Harry was done talking. Emotionally drained, all he wanted to do was sleep.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" Harry looked up shocked.

"I thought we already decided that."

"I know, I just wanted to make it official." Draco replied with a smile.

"Then yes. I want to be your boyfriend." With that Harry yawned

"You tired?"

"yeah" his voice was already drifting off.

"Why don't you sleep here. You'll never make it back to the tower like this. I could stay if you like. Just sleeping mind you." Draco added with rush.

With a lazy smile Harry replied "I'd like that."

With that decided the room of requirement made two sets of night clothes appear on the bed. The boys changed and curled up. As soon as their heads hit the pillows they were sound asleep with their arms around each other.