A/N: Hey everyone! Here's the next chapter... This is the chapter that the idea originally started with and ended with... I'm debating here. I almost want to leave it there. But I don't think my plot bunnies will allow such a thing lol. We'll see. For now, this story will have another chapter or two.

Sorry this is so short! I had intended to add another section in there afterwards, but it was just so emotional of an ending to this segment that I HAD to leave it there. The next chapter will be longer, promise :)

Enjoy!

.:Chapter One:.

The first thing that Draco noticed upon waking was that his head didn't hurt too badly; he had been smart last night and hadn't gotten too drunk. Which led him to his next thought – the reason he had wanted to stay sober. The warmth that was tucked up against his side moved ever so slightly, a soft sigh falling from the angel's lips.

Draco smiled as he felt Harry's warm breath move across his chest, squeezing the brunette to him just a little bit more tightly. He finally brought himself to open his eyes, and his breath caught at the beauty of the sight before him. Harry's normally frustratingly messy hair looked almost tame – the "I just got shagged" look suited him. It was soft, with only a few tangles despite the wild night they two boys had just finished. Harry's eyes were still shut, and he was smiling slightly. Their skin, pressed together like this, was breath-taking. Harry's golden bronze contrasted well against Draco's delicate pale glow. There was only one word that came to Draco's mind as he looked at his beloved.

Beautiful.

Flashes of their previous activities flooded Draco's mind, and he blushed happily. But when Harry's arm twitched slightly against his waist, Draco frowned.

You were so much drunker than I was… Will you regret this? Will you be repulsed by what we've done, by my most treasured memories?

Yes.

The answer came to him without a second thought. Every single time the brunette would look at him, the disgust and self-loathing in the emotional Gryffindor's eyes would betray his regret.

Self-loathing…

Tears sprang to Draco's eyes when he realized that Harry would hate the very thing that Draco was happiest about.

I love you. Nothing has ever felt as right as it feels to have you wrapped in my arms right now…

The tears broke free, silently burning tracks down his cheek as image after image assaulted his brain. Each and every confrontation possible, and some that weren't, came to his attention. Harry would despise what they had done; would think Draco had taken advantage of him or drugged him.

Funny, that it was you who took advantage of me; I was in no position to refuse the thing that I wanted the most. How could I have refused you? How could I have wanted to refuse you? I love you so much that it hurts.

I think… I've always loved you. It's always been you – I've always needed your attention to keep me going. Nothing else mattered when your eyes met mine, even if it was only a second before that glare transformed your gorgeous face into a mask of hatred…

Hatred.

I love you.

But you will never love me. And I can't deal with that anymore. Not now, not because of this. How can I bear to look into your eyes, those amazing emeralds, and see nothing but contempt every single day for the rest of my life? No. I can't. It's too real now – I can't lie to myself anymore. I refuse to live a lie.

Draco's voice broke, surprising him; he hadn't realized he was speaking aloud. He wiped the tears from his cheeks, sniffling quietly so that Harry wouldn't wake up. Slowly, he reached for his wand.

Draco covered his mouth as a gasping sob forced its way out of his throat, hand trembling. A grim realization slithered its way through his mind. There was only one way that he could keep his precious memories of this night untainted by the hatred and animosity…

He tucked a wayward strand of hair back away from Harry's face, shuddering at the feeling of the soft skin his fingertips trailed against.

"I refuse to let the happiest night of my life become something twisted…" He shakily cupped Harry's face, leaning down to press a kiss to those sinful lips.

Pulling away so that their lips barely touched, Draco closed his eyes, forcing the tears back.

"I'm so sorry… Obliviate!"

Openly sobbing now, Draco shakily grabbed Harry's clothes and thrust them at him. He felt around under the bed until he found Harry's own wand. Carefully wrapping those callused fingers around the wand, he pressed the tip against the Gryffindor shield on the boy's robes. In an instant, he was gone, safe and sound back in his own bed.

"I'm sorry, my love…" Draco whispered.

For the first time in his life, Draco Malfoy allowed himself to completely fall apart.

A/N: God, doesn't it just break your heart...? Poor Draco...

NOTE: Sorry if the shield apparation thing was confusing - it's an element I thought about for a while. Here's the background on it: After everything that's going on with the war (which WILL NOT show up in this story, btw.), safety became a top priority and they devised a way that every shield on a student's robes would become a portkey to their own bed when touched with their wand and their wand only. Convenient in many situations, but also safe in case of an attack. Everyone could get back to their common rooms safely :)

PLEASE REVIEW!

Much love,

~Arya Rose