Harry and Draco staggered into the hallway, Hermione hurrying after them. Her eyes were bright, and she looked as though she was about to throw daggers at Harry. He backed away and found himself backing into Draco, who nudged Harry so he would stop.

However when Hermione spoke, she didn't yell or scream or try to hit Harry. Her voice was cracked with emotion again.

"Harry… I wanted Ron to tell you himself, but it doesn't seem like he'll be prepared to talk to you anytime soon," she looked very glassy eyed as she led the other two into the lounge room.

"Yesterday when Ron was due to take his portkey, Bellatrix Lestrange turned up at his house and- and she murdered Percy while he escorted Ron to his portkey," Hermione took a deep breath, and continued, "Ron had to Apparate here, which of course was very dangerous because he's not licensed yet…" she finished and stared at her knees,

Harry was staring at her, and hardly noticed Draco gently squeeze his upper thigh in a comforting sort of way. He looked sideways at Draco who quickly took back his hand, a weak smile on his face. Harry knew in that moment that what he felt was the most mutual thing he'd ever felt. The pair locked eyes again, slowly leaning into each other. Only when Hermione blew her nose did they snap back into reality.

"I'd expect both of you to have more consideration of Ron's feelings and temper now you know the full story," said Hermione, sounding as though she had a bad head cold.

Harry and Draco each nodded, stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Hermione to her thoughts.

"What was that?" Harry asked in a low voice, barely containing a grin.

"What?' asked Draco looking confused. "Ron's brother? I dunno, do I? I don't see Bellatrix these-"

"Not that!" Harry cut across him impatiently. "You… squeezed my thigh, and kind of stared into my eyes," Harry said, shuffling his feet awkwardly.

"Oh," Draco looked embarrassed. "I thought you… never mind." He turned and walked out into the front garden.

Harry hesitated for a minute, and followed at a run. When he stepped outside, he couldn't see Draco anywhere. A small jolt of panic pulsed through Harry. Draco wasn't safe outside the boundaries of the house.

"Draco?" Harry called down the sloping lawn. "Draco, where are you? Come back! You misunderstood me."

Harry heaved a sigh of relief as he spotted a blonde head pop out from behind a rose bush.

"Mis- misunderstood you?" Draco stammered, standing up as Harry approached. "What do you-?"

Harry had gently grabbed Draco's neck and was staring into his eyes, leaning into his face. Harry placed his lips softly onto Draco's, using his tongue to ease Draco's lips apart. The tender sweetness of Draco entered Harry's mouth as each of them slid their eyelids closed.

Draco brought up his arms and wrapped them around Harry's neck, not once pulling out of the kiss which was complete and total bliss.

The kiss lasted for what felt like a lifetime to Harry. He didn't want to pull away, or to open his eyes. He just wanted to stay here in Draco's arms forever.

But all too soon, they broke apart. Draco looked terrified, and leapt away from Harry as though he'd just been scalded. He opened and closed his mouth several times before turning away and walking back to the house.

Harry sighed and sat down, looking over the mid-morning sky. Why was this all so confusing? He knew Draco felt the same. He just knew it. But then why was he acting so odd?

"Well… he wouldn't have kissed me if he didn't like me!" Harry told himself firmly.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice carried into his thoughts and jolted him back to the real world.

"Hi Hermione," mumbled Harry, hunching his shoulders. He wanted to be left alone.

"Harry, what's just happened?" she asked kindly. "Draco came storming into the house, asking for a portkey home- I said no!" she added hastily at the look on Harry's face.

"I wish I knew what just happened," Harry said miserably. "He kissed me… or I kissed him. I don't know- we kissed,"

Hermione looked scandalized. "You what?!" she shrieked. "Harry, what- what about Ginny?"

"I just told you, didn't I? I don't know!" Harry said, punching the soft ground in frustration.

Hermione looked at Harry with a bemused expression on her face, apparently unsure of what to say.

"Please don't tell Ron. And definitely don't tell Draco I told you," said Harry, staring Hermione intently in the eye.

"No, I won't Harry. I just wish I knew what to say to you," she said gently.

"I love him, Hermione. I really do. I just wish I knew how he felt," Harry mumbled to the ground.

Hermione moved closer to Harry and put an arm around his shoulders, resting her head on his arm. He was grateful that she at least wasn't jumping away from him.

Three days passed, and still Draco was avoiding Harry. Ron hadn't improved his mood, and Harry was spending his days with Hermione, planning the journey which faced them. The day Harry turned seventeen, the four of them would be leaving to find the Horcruxes which held the remaining fragments of Voldemort's soul.

Harry got more and more upset about Draco each time he laid eyes on him. Draco seemed to be struggling, too. Each morning before he left their bedroom, he would pause to say something to Harry before realizing he didn't know what to say, only to flee the room as quickly as possible.