Chapter 2. Shock and denial

Harry had calmed down a bit after his meeting with Malfoy. He had a very busy and stressful past behind him, and it was clear that he had to pay for that now. It really was time that he took a break, because now he had even started to see things that were not there. He decided to cook something, an activity that normally calmed him down.

After cooking and eating a tasty dinner, he decided to go to bed. He had had a busy day, and it was obvious that he needed some rest. He quickly undressed himself to his boxers, and stepped into the bed. The sheets felt delicious against his skin and were, without a doubt, high quality. Harry was just starting to doze off when he heard it again.

"I see you still haven't disappeared."

Harry opened his eyes wide with shock and quickly pulled the sheet up to his chin. He felt with his hand for the light switch and was shocked to see Draco standing at the edge of his bed.

"Why would I leave? I have a valid rent contract, and I like the place," Harry said simply.

"Of course you would like it here. It's my house. I furnished it. The television in the living room is the best of the best, the couch is from real Italian leather and the sheets you're lying in were imported from Egypt."

Harry looked at Draco with a slightly open mouth. It was hard to imagine that this was the same boy who had once hated everything that had anything to do with Muggles. On the other hand, it was hard to imagine in any way that Malfoy was standing here in his penthouse.

"What are you laying there stupidly? Get out of my bed!" Draco sniffed angrily, while folding his arms and impatiently starting to tap his foot.

"This is my bed and I'm not going anywhere," said Harry stubbornly, pulling the sheet up a bit more against himself.

Draco made a frustrated noise and walked towards him with the intention of pulling the sheet from Harry in order to get him out of his bed. When he stepped forward, however, he saw how Harry's eyes turned almost comically wide, and he gave him an irritated look.

"What?!" snapped Draco.

"You…It…You are…" Harry didn't seem able to form a full sentence.

"Still as articulate as always, I see," said Draco, keeping his eyes on Harry.

"You're standing in the bed," Harry squeaked.

"What are you talking about, Potter? You don't seriously think I…"

Draco was shocked when he looked down and saw that part of his legs disappeared in the bed. He screamed in shock and quickly took a few steps backwards so that he was no longer standing in the bed.

His eyes, in the meantime, were just as wide as Harry's had been a few minutes before. He looked at his body as if he was seeing it for the first time. With big steps, he walked towards the nightstand and tried to grab the glass of water, which was standing on it. His fingers seemed to have disappeared however, because no matter how hard he tried to grab the glass, his fingers went trough it time and time again.

Harry, who had calmed down a bit, watched in fascination. "You're a ghost."

Draco turned around quickly and glared angrily at Harry.

"I'm not a ghost, Potter. To be a ghost, you've got to be dead, and I'm still alive and kicking."

Harry looked at him dubiously. "Then how would you explain the fact that you aren't able to pick up that glass of water?"

"But I am able," whined Draco irritably, keeping his angry gaze fixed on Harry.

Harry couldn't believe what Draco was trying to prove. It was already clear that he wasn't able to grab the glass of water.

"So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the glass of water," Harry said with a small smile, curious what Draco would do this time.

He heard Draco mutter something about 'stupid Potter' and 'I can do this'. He saw how Draco turned towards the glass and looked on. Again, Draco tried to grab the glass… and again his fingers went right through it as if the glass wasn't there. Harry couldn't suppress his smile when he saw how Draco failed. Draco however, didn't find it very funny. His eyes were blazing fire when he saw Harry's smile.

"This isn't funny Potter," Draco growled.

"Oh, I don't know," said Harry, shrugging. "I think it's rather… uhm ghostly funny."

Harry saw how Draco's fist was moving towards him and he closed his eyes. Instead of the usual pain a hit like this would cause, he only felt the air moving around him. Carefully Harry opened his eyes again and saw that Draco was no longer there. He breathed a little easier. He knew it was useless to start trying to get to sleep after this, so he stood up and started to search in the various cabinets. If this was really Draco's house, there must be something that belonged to him here. He started his search in the wardrobe because he knew he wouldn't find anything in the kitchen cabinets. They had been empty when he put his groceries away this afternoon.

The wardrobe seemed to have been completely emptied before Harry moved in and only a small corner, which occupied Harry's clothes, was filled. Harry sighed but didn't give up yet. Next to the bed where two nightstands, maybe he could find a clue in there. He walked to the first nightstand and opened the drawer. Harry shook his head. This one was also empty. He climbed over the bed to the other nightstand and without hesitation, he opened it. He was happy as well as scared to see an overturned picture in it.

If this really was the house of a Malfoy, it could very well be some kind of dark object. A bit hesitant he watched the picture. Slowly he grabbed it and…nothing happened. He turned the photo around and looked at the picture. The photo showed Draco wearing muggle clothes, with his arm draped around another man. The strange thing was that this wasn't a magical photo, but a Muggle one.

"So, he really lives here," Harry spoke out loud, tracing the picture with his index finger.

"I see that you're snooping around."

Startled, Harry jumped to see Draco standing right next to him. He felt Draco's gaze going over his body and started to feel slightly uncomfortable. Quickly he climbed back in the bed and pulled the sheets up high. Draco smirked when he saw this.

"I see you've found the picture of me and David?"

Despite everything, Harry still had a firm grip on the photo, so denying it was useless. He nodded slowly while he put the photo down on the bed.

"And Potter, have you already decided how you're going to fix this?"

"It's Evans," Harry grumbled. Draco didn't seem very impressed, so Harry continued. "Why am I the one who has to fix this?"

"You're the one who's lying in my bed and living in my house," Draco answered, matter-of-factly.

"Yes, with the most annoying ghost of England," Harry muttered softly, but Draco heard it.

"I'm not a ghost!" he said angrily.

Harry couldn't believe Draco was still denying this.

"You're not able to pick anything up, and you walk right through stuff. And when exactly was the last time you spoke to someone, besides me?"

Harry saw how Draco was thinking these questions over and slowly these facts started to sink in.

"But that can't be," Draco said, blinking furiously, probably trying to keep tears at bay.

Harry sighed but kept quiet, not knowing what he could say.

"You've got to do something," Draco said suddenly, turning desperately towards Harry. Harry swallowed and looked at Draco.

"I, uhm…" Harry stuttered. He had no idea how he could be of any help. "I'll ask Hermione to come by tomorrow. She will know what to do."

When no 'Mudblood' comments were made, Harry looked up in surprise. He was again alone in the apartment.

The food must have been out of date, that was why he was starting to hallucinate. That was the only explanation for the coming and going of Draco. He wanted to get back under the sheets when he saw the photo again. He picked it up and put it on the nightstand. If he really was hallucinating, at least it came with some tangible evidence.

It has been brought under my attention that the story that I've written is somewhat similar to another story on ffnet namely 'Just Like Hell' from 'Cimmerian Soceress'. This story is just like my story based on the movie and novel 'Just Like Heaven' and has also Harry/Draco as a couple.

I didn't know about this story when I wrote my story. My story will be different than hers, but to forego confusion I just wanted to point this out. If you like the idea of Harry/Draco in the setting of 'Just like heaven' look up her story!

Thanks to CBeta who helped to beta this chapter!

Thanks for all the reviews!

Next chapter: The naked truth.