And so... we finally get to see Draco's long awaited choice. Will he choose Harry over Voldemort's commands? Will he admit to his love or refuse the longings in his heart?
The answer awaits you in this chapter!

...

Draco's heart was pounding hard as he walked aimlessly around the castle. He had nothing to do just when he needed a distraction. It was a Saturday so there were no classes and he had managed to get caught up on his homework. Usually Draco would take advantage of this free time and sleep, but he knew he wouldn't be able to close his eyes without remembering.

Draco felt a flutter in his chest and images flashed across his mind even though he was trying so hard to ignore them. Beads of warm water, taunt muscles, pink lips moaning, black hair drenched, and half open green eyes were haunting Draco's memories. He could hardly believe it himself. He hadn't slept for even a moment last night. He felt like he was overheating with his brain insisted on replaying every single detail.

'I love you, Draco. I love you.'

Draco swallowed hard and grit his teeth. His mind seemed to take special interest in that statement. He could hear it so clearly that Harry could have been right next to him. If only.

Suddenly Draco bumped into another student and was awakened from his private thoughts. He looked around and became aware that he was in the library. Draco sighed again for what seemed like the millionth time that day. He trod over to a well-worn couch in a secluded corner of the old, musty library. Draco plopped down and let himself sprawl out on the cushions, a deep breath causing his muscles to relax. He felt as though he would sink into the couch and disappear as the soft material bowed under his weight. With his eyes closed and his head propped comfortably against a pillow Draco was free to let himself drift off, exhaustion making his body feel like lead.

His mind wandered deep into his subconscious. Draco relived memories, travelled through his imagination, and riffled through things he had thought he had forgotten. But one thing remained the same: Harry was never too far away in his mind.

Draco wasn't sure how much time had passed while he drifted in this half conscious state of mind, but he didn't care. He would be content to stay here forever if it meant escaping Voldemort and his scheming.

'I love you, Draco.'

Ah yes. Draco remembered that if he did stay here he would also be out of Harry's reach.

'You know I really do love you, Draco. Truly.'

The snoozing blonde could picture Harry's face close enough to kiss, his lips curving around each word slowly.

"I know, Potter," Draco replied to that soft, deep voice.

'There you go calling me by my last name. I wont continue speaking to you unless you call me Harry.'

"Fine, Harry," Draco replied with a slight chuckle, picturing his face frown and pout. "I have a feeling you'd still speak to me though… since you seem to love me so much."

'Yes. And what about you…?' Harry asked, curling up closer to Draco who suddenly realized that they were lying together in a bed, tangled in the sheets. 'Do you love me?'

"I'm surprised you can't tell," Draco answered, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I may just be realizing it recently… but I think that I've loved you for a very long time now."

Draco felt a knot tighten in his throat as he said this. He felt his nose prickle and his eyes grow a little teary. He wasn't sure why, but he felt like crying. It was like a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders as he said those words. It was strange. Draco had never felt like a heavy weight had been his to bear and yet its absence made him realize how present and painful it had been to carry.

But either way, Draco loved Harry. It felt unusual to consider this in such simple terms for the first time, but that's really all there was to it. It wasn't some male struggle for dominance, nor was it a game that kept Harry's warped mind intrigued. And now it wasn't even a one-time mistake or a passionate moment of weakness. It was much more than that.

Draco loved Harry and Harry loved him back. It was as simple and beautiful as that.

Suddenly, Draco felt something warm press against his lips, the smell of warm coffee and sugar wafting to his nose. He opened his eyes and could only see a black eyebrow and thick black lashes curling away from a familiar eyelid.

Draco opened his mouth abruptly, letting out a noise of surprise before sitting up out of shock. He looked down to see Harry kneeling by the couch managing to look utterly blissful and yet hopelessly sad at the same time. Draco moved one of his hands to rub his eye but when he touched his skin it was wet and sticky. The blonde boy pressed his palm to his cheek and felt trails of tears moisten his hand.

So he had been crying. What else had he done unconsciously he wondered?

As Draco wiped the wetness away from his cheeks Harry moved to sit beside him. For a while the two sat completely still and silent. Once Draco had cleaned up his face, his hands lowered to his sides, his pinky bumping Harry's. Draco pulled away but wasn't fast enough to escape Harry's fingers. The raven-haired boy rapped his hand around Draco's, unwilling to let it escape.

Draco's heart leapt, half from fear of being seen, half from shear excitement. But he still felt unbelievably uncomfortable. Despite his dreams, he wasn't nearly as accepting of his feelings in reality.

"Draco," Harry said suddenly, his voice soft and almost meek sounding, "last night… About last night, I just wanted to say-"

"It's alright," Draco interrupted, pulling his hand away, "We don't have to talk about it. We can go on as if it didn't happen if you'd rather. I've almost forgotten anyway."

'Liar,' Draco thought inwardly. His now free hand gripped his knee to stop from shaking. The mere idea of his words coming true left the lonely boy feeling hollow and miserable already.

"No you haven't," Harry said, a small ounce of anger echoing in his voice, "You can't take it back now. You already said it."

"Said what? What are you talking about?" Draco said in confusion, turning to look Harry in the eye for once. Harry looked back at him with intense determination.

"Just a moment ago you told me how you felt! You were lying right on this couch here and when I came over to you I told you… told you that I … that I love you. And then, I asked what you thought of me and you… you said you were surprised I didn't already know."

Draco felt a slight sinking sensation realizing that he must have actually said out loud what he had thought was in his head. But instead of panicking, Draco was too distracted by the red blush that was spanning Harry's cheeks as he spoke of his sweet feelings for the second time.

"You said that you loved me, damn it! You said that you've probably felt this way for a long time… you can't just take that back all of a sudden!"

Draco felt his eyebrows arch in surprise as he heard Harry's voice crack and warble on the last word. Draco watched as Harry's eyebrows drew together and his bottom lip quiver ever so slightly though he bite down to try to keep it still.

Draco was astonished. The way Harry was acting was so childish, getting so riled up over all this. He looked as though someone was trying to take away his favorite toy. Draco felt his cheeks warm up. It was just so… cute. He could hardly stand it.

And for the first time Draco could imagine what it might have been like to be in Harry's shoes. Ever since he was a child things had been taken away from him. He was an orphan with terrible guardians and even though he got a reprieve with his friends at school he had to return once again to a family that treated him like an insignificant nothing. Draco had often overheard Harry complain about these things. Before he had rolled his eyes and thought Harry a spoiled brat for complaining even though he was so famous… but now he could see that fame hadn't made Harry any happier.

Draco could finally see some of the reasoning behind Harry's actions. Whenever he cared about something it was always taken away from him. Because of that he would always keep people at arms length. He could enjoy their company and fill the empty void in his heart but never admit to how attached he really was.

That was the answer. That was why Harry teased and abused Draco so much. He was able to get close while still keeping a safe distance and avoid being hurt of disappointed. This revelation left Draco feeling out of breath. He had had an epiphany and he was seeing Harry in a whole new light. A more fragile and much less terrifying light.

"I don't need this shit," Harry exclaimed suddenly, startling Draco from his thoughts. "If you're not going to answer me then fine! We'll go back to the way things were just like you want!" With that Harry stood in a flurry determined to rush out of the library and get as far away from Draco as possible.

As the young Malfoy watched him stand he felt his heart race. He couldn't allow Harry to leave, not now. Draco finally knew the extent of his feelings and couldn't bear to let Harry ever leave him. Plus, this tantrum was almost too adorable for words. So much so that Draco lurched forward, grabbing Harry's hand to keep him in place. He would not let him go now when they were so close to something Draco could tell was meaningful.

"Wait!"

"Let go of me damn it! I can't stand to look at your stupid, prick face any longer!" Harry growled trying to jerk his hand out of Draco's vice like grip but to no avail. Draco felt a stir of old irritation upon being called a prick once again.

"Stop throwing a fit, you ass!" Draco shouted before he could stop himself. He stood up and grabbed Harry's shoulders and spun him around so that he could look him in the face. When they were finally eye to eye, Draco felt his mouth drop open slightly. Draco could see one lone tear perched on Harry's cheek, his mouth in a pitiful down turn, but his eyes were furious and his eyebrows furrowed, trying desperately to hold on to his tough front.

Draco pressed his lips against Harry's trembling ones. They tasted of coffee and hazelnut as Draco fought gentle to try to get Harry to unclench his lips. He knew that Harry was trying to resist, to hold back and maintain a distance. But Draco was much more stubborn than Harry could ever be.

The blonde slowly kissed Harry's jaw and cheeks, the tang of salt from that tear dampening his lips. Draco slid his fingers up Harry's neck lightly running his fingers through his hair. After several long moments Harry let out a breathless whimper. Whether it was from Harry holding back cries of sadness or pleasure, Draco didn't care at the time. He quickly pressed his lips to Harry's again enjoying his soft skin.

The young Malfoy pressed himself into Harry. The two stumbled backwards a few paces until Harry's back was against a bookshelf. Draco's hand gently cradled the back of Harry's head, shielding it from the hard spines of the books. After an eternity of sweet kissed and lips softly pressing against one another the two took a moment to breathe, panting as they held each other close in their own little corner of the world.

"You really are too cute when you get upset," Draco sighed, his half open eyes watching Harry's as his chest heaved against his own.

"Are you trying to make fun of me?" Harry snapped, but his voice sounded deflated. Draco could tell that there wasn't any fight left in him.

"No," Draco answered with enough seriousness to put Harry's suspicions to rest. "And I'm not taking back what I said either," As Draco said this he felt Harry still, his whole body tense as if he was holding his breath. Draco smiled, chagrinned at himself for being captivated so easily by Harry. But only a small part of him was bothered and it didn't make a difference anymore.

"Harry… I love you."

Draco paused for a moment, watching Harry's eyes widen. He heard Harry inhale quickly, the rush of air making a soft noise as it flowed to his lungs. Harry bit his lip a moment too late in an effort to contain himself. Draco felt his lips itch to smile again as he observed Harry's actions.

"And now… I want to prove it to you."

Draco grabbed Harry's hand and rushed out of the library, pulling the surprised boy behind him. The two made their way down to the dungeons. Draco knew that everyone in his house would be at Hogsmead for the entire day. They all kept up to date on when Dark Arts vendors travelled into town and today a big gathering was scheduled. Draco had only gotten out of it by faking sickness.

Moments later the breathless boys burst into the Slytherin common room, Draco leading the way to his four poster bed, Harry staying uncharacteristically quiet from the shock of it all.

Upon reaching his dorm room Draco turned to face Harry before pulling him close and kissing him again. He slowly slid off the raven-haired boy's cloak, letting it fall casually to the floor. The stripping of clothes continued in this fashion until both boys were shirtless. Draco pushed Harry down to his bed, kneeling oven him and letting his lips meander down his chest. Every so often Draco would steal a glimpse up and down the panting boy's body, taking in all that there was to see… almost. Just as Draco got to Harry's belt he heard a husky whisper.

"Draco…?"

"…yes?" Draco answered softly, looking up to meet Harry's lustful, vulnerable eyes.

"Draco… I love you," Harry whispered through gasps of air. Draco felt his heart skip a beat again upon hearing those words. He wondered if there would ever come a day when Harry wouldn't have that effect on him. Draco crawled up the bed until he could look Harry in the eyes, kissing him once more.

"I love you, too."

For hours the two boys passed the time in Draco's bed sharing tender kisses and sweet words of love. It was almost miraculous, Draco thought at one point, that no one interrupted them for that entire time. But he also wondered if he would have even noticed someone enter while Harry wriggled and moaned beneath his touches.

Draco felt as though he was experiences something totally new. The tempo of their movements was slow and compassionate. It wasn't wild and rushed like it had been so many times before. Draco finally had the time to truly feel and take in the person that he loved. He thought, ah, so this what making love it like. It was so different from the heated romps that they had shared previously.

As Draco recalled the past and reveled in the present he made an impossible wish to himself. Draco hoped that they would be able to experience both kinds of love for the rest of their lives. Draco wanted to forever feel Harry against him, above him, below him, inside of him, their hearts beating next to each other as their chests pressed together. Draco wanted everything about Harry that day. He knew that he had finally found love and was glad he had opened himself up to it.

And when he fell asleep in Harry's arms that day, his wish didn't seem to unattainable.

...

A happy ending!... or so it would seem. There are still some unresolved issues yet to be dealt with.
How will Draco respond to Voldemort?
Will the two boys really be able to be together forever or will the demands of the Death Eaters tear them apart?

The answers will be in future chapters! (although there are only a few left)

R&R&Enjoy :)