So, this chapter actually develops a little bit of a plot so I hope you like it. I've also kind of left it on a little bit of a cliff hanger so... woops. Enjoy, let me know what you think.

Sitting around the fire was one of the few activities that Harry truly enjoyed. He loved watching the flame as it danced. He loved the warmth that rested over his body and he loved the low murmurs of his friend's voices. He couldn't think of a better way to spend a cold night like tonight.

"Harry?" a hand touched his shoulder and he almost purred at the warmth emitting from it. He didn't turn around to see who it was; somehow, he just knew. A chuckle reached his ears and he realised he never answered his friend.

"Hmm, what Neville?"

"I asked if you wanted a top up," Neville said.

Harry looked down and realised his mug of hot cocoa was empty. Nodding his swivelled his body to face Neville, holding out his mug. "Yes, please," he said smiling when he saw Neville's smile.

Neville nodded and grabbed the cup, returning it filled with warm chocolaty goodness.

"Harry, what do you think?"

Harry turned to face Ron, who was beating Dean in chess, again. He realised that Hermione, who had previously been sitting next to him chatting with Neville was now over by Ginny on the other side of the room. He realised he never noticed his friends moving away, too focused on the warmth on his face and by his side.

"Harry?"

"Sorry," Harry shook his head, focusing on Ron again, "what do I think about what?"

"The Death Eater children, me and Dean-"

"Dean and I," Hermione said from her corner, not turning away from Ginny.

Ron shot Hermione a glare, "Dean and I were just discussing it. They shouldn't even be in the school."

Harry, who had stiffened up the moment the topic became clear, felt himself becoming angry. He clenched his hands but tried to keep his face blank. He ignored the concerned look Neville shot him. "Why not, they deserve to be taught just as much as anyone." Harry was impressed by how calm his voice was.

Ron took the time to checkmate Dean and turned to face Harry, his eyebrow was raised, almost disappearing into his hair. "What, no way, they're just going to be more dangerous if their taught."

Harry's blank face broke and he sent a glare to Ron. "Just because their parents are Death Eaters, doesn't mean they're going to be and, therefore, will be in a lot of danger. They need to be taught just as much as we do."

"You're joking, right?" Ron was standing now and Harry stood to match him.

Harry felt Neville's hand on his shoulder and he calmed slightly at the touch. Harry absently noticed that the common room was completely silent but he was more focused on his best friend. "No, I'm not. They're children, just like us, they should be taught just like us and, maybe, they will make the right choices as adults."

"You've gone bonkers, where's my best mate that hates all Death Eater scum! What happened? Merlin, next you're be best friends with Draco bloody Malfoy!"

Harry was a little nervous by how close Ron was to the truth but didn't stop glaring, "maybe so," he whispered before storming up the stairs and disappearing into the dorm room, leaving the common room in shocked silence.

Harry walked down to lunch on his own. Ever since the fight last night, things had been weird between him and Ron. Even Hermione was shooting him thoughtful looks. Harry just ignored them all and the only person that he spoke to was Neville, who treated him like he always did.

"What do you want?"

The voice was one Harry recognised and he smiled, until he heard the next voice.

"What we want? We want Death Eater Scum like you out of our school."

Harry didn't recognise that voice but he started to jog down the corridor, intending to prevent whatever these students wanted to do to his boyfriend.

"Real scary."

Draco's sarcastic voice caused a slight smile to appear on Harry's face and he could almost see Draco rolling his eyes.

"What's next, you going to poke those sticks at me and try and do some magic?"

"Actually, yes."

Harry's eyes widened when he heard the first spell being cast. He dashed around the corner, just in time to see Draco go flying into a far wall and crumble. Harry saw red.

"That taught him," one of the boys said.

That was all they managed to say before they were both blown off their feet, glass shattering around them, and thrown into a nearby classroom. Harry waved his wand at the door, shutting and locking it. He then ran to Draco, kneeling beside him.

"Draco? Draco, please wake up."

Ron was sick of the looks Hermione was sending him. She refused to talk to him until he apologised but he wasn't sure what he was apologising for. Harry seemed to blow up about nothing last night and no one seemed to know why. Hermione had a look in her eye, like she suspected something and Neville seemed to get really nervous whenever the topic came up but no one would share with Ron.

I suppose, I did blow up at him too. Ron slumped in his seat at lunch and waited for Harry to arrive. Maybe if I apologise, Harry will explain. When lunch was almost over and Harry was yet to arrive, Ron grew worried. He noticed Hermione, Neville and Ginny glancing at the great hall door, seemingly looking for Harry as well. Ron gathered a few sandwiches for Harry in a napkin and, as an afterthought, a treacle tart as a peace offering. He then left the great hall in search of his friend.

"Draco!" Harry was shaking the unconscious boy and yelling his name. His eyes were watery but he wasn't letting the tears fall yet. "Wake up, Draco."

A moan issued from below him and Harry instantly glanced at Draco's face, hoping to see his eyes open. "F've more m'n'tes"

Harry laughed in relief at the mumbled words and felt all the tension leave his body. "Draco, wake up." Harry's voice was a lot calmer now, he'd stopped shaking Draco.

"What? Harry?" Draco opened his eyes and looked around, seemingly confused until recognition entered his eyes. "What are you doing here? Are you okay?"

Harry chuckled, "I'm supposed to ask you that, you're the one that fell unconscious."

Draco sat up and looked around him. He saw the glass fragments and the locked classroom and then back at Harry. "What did you do?"

Harry sat back and rubbed the back of his neck, "well..."

"You know what, don't answer. I don't want to know." Draco smiled and tried to stand up.

Harry smiled back, helping him until they were both standing, then, Harry's smile wavered and he threw his arms around Draco, "I thought you were dead," he whispered.

Draco pulled him close, rolling his eyes at the dramatic response, "not dead, it takes a lot to kill me."

Harry chuckled but didn't remove his arms, rather, he tightened them.

Draco smiled at the actions, "I'm okay, don't worry." So absorbed in each other, neither noticed the footsteps approaching them until a large bang startled them into facing the door with the two seventh years.

"Guess they've woken up," Draco said, freezing when he heard another noise.

"Are those footsteps?" Harry asked, pulling away from Draco only to see his wide eyes.

"You need to go," Draco said frantically.

"What?"

"Go, hide in a classroom or do you want our relationship to be discovered?"

Harry's eyes widened in realisation and scrambled onto an empty classroom, ducking behind the open door just as someone turned around the corner.

Draco watched as Harry ducked behind the door just as Professor McGonagall turned around the corner. Her eyes seemed to widen at seeing his dishevelled state and Draco's mouth went dry. Great, just great.

"Mr. Malfoy, what are you doing down here instead of at lunch."

Draco wasn't sure how to answer; unfortunately, he wasn't given the chance because, at that moment, an almighty bang sounded from the classroom with the Ravenclaw students inside.

"Malfoy! Let us out this minute!"

"We'll kill you for this!"

Draco watched at Professor McGonagall's eyes widened and then harden as she glared at him. She flicked her wand and the two seventh years came tumbling out. One had a broken nose and the other was cradling two fingers which seemed to be sitting at an odd angle.

"Professor McGonagall," they said in sync.

"He attacked us!" The boy with the broken nose said.

"I did not!"

"Oh really? Then Mr. Malfoy, how did they become injured? Was there someone else here?"

Draco froze, thinking of Harry hidden away, please; stay where you are. "No, it was me." Draco slumped, "but they attacked first."

"No we didn't!" The boy with the broken fingers spoke this time.

"That's enough! All three follow me to the Headmaster's office."

The Ravenclaw students continued to complain but Draco just followed resigned to his fate. He turned the corner, following the Professor and locked eyes with Ron Weasley. He looked shell shocked. Oh, no.

"Mr. Weasley, move along."

"Yes, Professor."

Ron left but Draco couldn't help but feel that their secret had just been revealable. What a perfect end to a great day.

(w.c 1,610)

WolfWinks –xx-