With Darkness as Our Blanket

- by BiSciFiGuy –

Pairing: Harry p. & Draco M.

Genre: Drama/Romance

Rating: M (Violence and Gay Themes)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or character histories or places or anything except my own plot. No copyright infringement is intended. I am not responsible for any underage readers who come across this story.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: So, I'm so sorry that this update is late once again. I had a really awesome weekend which went a little "Whonky" at the end and so my writing was a bit off. Please forgive me.

A/N 2: Thanks to TaraJo and Funnyducky for their great reviews and support. Hugs to you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 13 : The Countdown

Harry was still sitting on the old couch in the living room when the sun peaked out over the horizon. He looked at the clock on the wall, it was nearly five o'clock. He looked down at the letter and quickly scanned it. In the letter Clarissa explained how she had used the information gathered from his tests a few weeks earlier to determine a rough estimate of his expected time of death, according to the medi witch the tests were accurate to within twenty minutes. It was a chilling thing to know the almost exact time when one would die, but it was oddly comforting for Harry as well, he liked it when things were structured, when things moved according to some plan, it made him feel more in control of everything around him. The letter carefully explained the last four days of his life.

The clock rang out as it struck five and a shiver went through Harry, if Clarissa's estimates were correct then in forty-eight hours exactly he was going to slip into the coma that defined the final stage of the disease, another forty eight hours later he would breathe his last and he'd be dead just as the sun came up two days after the anniversary of the Hogwarts attack.

Harry slowly pulled himself to his feet, he felt tired from staying up the entire night. In the bathroom he found one of the many Pepper Up potions Draco kept there and drank down the unpleasant tasting fluid. As he drank however he felt energy return to his tired limbs, the heavy numbness that had settled in them faded like mist and he could feel himself almost come back to life.

"Pity this potion does nothing to actually keep me alive". Speaking of potions, Harry remembered he still had to drink the one that fought his Creep. The pain the disease caused was almost constantly present now, it never really hurt him but it never really went away either, it merely faded to a dull throbbing ache that he could thankfully ignore most of the time. He opened his bedroom door and tiptoed into the darkness. He didn't need any light to find the potion, he knew exactly where he had hidden it. His fingers found the cold little vial easily in the enchanted compartment he had created in the drawer of his bedside table. The potion tasted like thick chocolate syrup as it dripped onto his tongue and he swallowed slowly so as to feel its thickness run down his throat. It conjured up memories of tasting Draco after they were together and he smiled before carefully slipping into bed beside the blonde. Draco grunted in his sleep and moved closer to Harry who in turn slipped his arm around Draco's chest, feeling his lover's heartbeat against the cool skin of his forearm. He nuzzled Draco's neck and took in the intoxicating smell. He never got used to the pseudo smell that worked on his brain instead of his nostrils and enjoyed how it felt behind his eyes

Just before he fell asleep he turned, trying not to disturb Draco and cast a vanishing spell on the letter Clarissa had sent him. The words on the parchment disappeared and he sighed contently as he settled his face back into Draco's hair. He knew he had to take in every moment he could because now he had a countdown till death.

Friday: 09h00 (44 Hours till Coma)

Harry awoke in an instant, becoming completely aware of the world around him as soon as his eyes opened. It was always a curious experience for him to wake up like that, being completely alert so quickly usually meant bad things. He looked around the room, trying to find the sound or movement or whatever it was that had awakened him but the room remained empty, the space beside him also devoid of the familiar Draco shaped lump he was so used to seeing in the mornings. He closed his eyes and again strained his ears but no sound memory made itself known to him and he realised that it had been no outside influence, it had been his own mind that had screamed at him to get up and live the last few hours of his life. He got up and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt before stepping out into the hallway. Every sound in the apartment seemed to be amplified that morning, he could clearly hear the birds singing, cars rumbling down the road and somewhere, at what seemed and impossible distance he heard a dog bark loudly. Closer to him however he heard Draco and Ginny talking in the kitchen as pots and pans worked by themselves on the counters and stove. In the guest room the shower was running and as Harry passed by the room on his way to the kitchen he could hear Seamus hum to himself.

In the kitchen he found plates of food floating around the room. Ginny was twirling her wand at the plates as though conducting a great culinary musical performance while Draco was orchestrating the mop, broom and bucket to clean the floors. They both looked up when Harry entered. Draco slipped his wand into his pocket and almost danced towards Harry before placing a fluttery kiss on his cheek, the dark stubble on Harry's chin scratched at the delicate pale flesh but Draco didn't seem to mind, he seemed to rather enjoy it actually.

"You two sure are in a good mood today". Harry said as he settled into a chair.

"Yeah well, we just wanted to make today a really good day". Ginny said as the plates finally landed on the table. There were pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, a gigantic stack of toast, waffles and fresh hot coffee that filled the room with its strong aroma. In the guest room the shower switched of and the humming stopped.

"That's nice, but…" Harry felt his face drain of blood as he stared at his two friends.

"Oh my god, did you guys hear anything from the hospital?" He asked just as Seamus stepped into the room.

"What, say that again. Did we get any news". He grasped the chair Harry was sitting in and Harry felt sure he felt a tremor run through it at the contact. The curious thought was pushed aside just as quick as it had made an appearance and he looked back at Draco and Ginny. They were both smiling and clutching each other's hands.

"Yes, Doctor Montgomery sent an owl early this morning. Its not a sure thing yet, since they apparently have to do a few more tests tomorrow but she said that there was a ninety percent probability that Ginny is pregnant". They started hopping up and down, still clinging to each other in excitement. Harry tried to get up to make his way to Draco but Seamus was clutching the chair, Harry looked up at his friend, Seamus' face was smiling but his eyes were showing something else, something that distinctly resembled fear and there was a twinge of something else… could it be disappointment? Harry wondered.

Again the awkward feeling were pushed to the back of his mind and he allowed the happiness to bubble up in him. He and Draco were going to be parents. They were actually going to have children of their own. The feeling of pure pleasure ran through him and he almost joined the others in jumping up and down. Draco bounded to him and slammed their lips together, pulling the into a deep luxurious kiss that almost burned their skin with the intense passion it emitted.

"Your going to be Father Harry!" Draco cried out when he broke the kiss.

"And you're going to be a daddy". Harry replied and this time he closed the distance between their lips. He caught that strange look in Seamus' eyes again the moment before his own fell closed in the kiss.

Friday: 11h00 (42 Hours till Coma)

Harry looked down at his watch, it was exactly Eleven O-clock. He did a quick calculation in his head and sighed, his time was running out much too fast for him to really make sense of it. He shifter in the uncomfortable chair in the waiting room of the most respectable law firm in the wizarding world; Marnel, Rowan and Chantiene. When he'd stepped into the room fifteen minutes before, the young receptionist had been polite until she'd heard his name. As soon as he'd announced himself her eyes glazed over and she'd sat motionless for several minutes, just staring at him. Though he'd never mention it to anyone, he had actually begun to feel scared that she had died and was about to lean forward and touch her when she stood up stiffly and vanished from the room.

She returned a moment later and in a soft, calming voice that sounded like delicate Japanese music told him to "Please wait here, the partners are just finishing up". And so Harry sat down in on of the hard backed, hard seated chairs that they offered and tried to pass the time by staring at the blank walls and trying his best to avoid the receptionist's stare, he occasionally looked in her direction to see if any of the big ornately carved oak doors behind her might open at any second but he got no response from them.

Fifteen more minutes passed before the door to left of the girl opened to reveal a smartly dressed, slightly overweight woman. Her salt and pepper hair was tied back in a tight bun that was held in place by a wand. Small oval shaped spectacles sat on the tip of her nose, and behind them Harry could see soft brown eyes that lit up when they made contact with his. The woman smiled as she moved her large body forward and held out her hand.

"You must be mister Potter". She said as he stood up to take her soft hand in his. He nodded and she pumped his hand once.

"My name is Helena Marnel. The other partners and I are so excited to have you in our humble office". She led the way through the carved door she had entered through and they made their way down a short corridor filled with paintings of wizards Harry didn't recognise, except for one dark haired man in a frame, he stopped at it.

"Ah yes, Severus, I believe he was one of your teachers?" Helena asked as she stepped close to him.

"Yes, he was. He was essential to the war as well".

"Yes, I remember. But we just new him as Sev, the young aspiring Lawyer who tried so hard to please". Harry looked at her to see if she was kidding but her eyes told him she wasn't and they made their way further down the corridor. He could not imagine Professor Snape ever being eager to please or wanting anything except the DADA post at Hogwarts. Helena opened a door at the end of the corridor and showed him inside. There was a large conference table in the centre of the room, chairs standing around it. She showed him to one of the chairs and he settled into it, thankful that it was much more comfortable than the ones in the waiting room. Helena went around the table and tapped against a frosted glass door on the opposite was before settling into the chair directly opposite Harry. Harry felt nervous as he looked around the room. It was also mostly empty, just like the waiting room but he felt intimidated, as though there were too many people in the room who were smarter than him.

The glass door opened and another, younger woman stepped in, she was much thinner than Helena Marnel but still a little curvy though. Her long black hair bounced loosely on her shoulders. She smiled politely and introduced herself as Minette Chantiene. She was followed by the last title bearer a moment later. Matthew Rowan was also young but his body was plump, his head bald as the crystal balls they used to have in divination classes and his nose and cheeks pink and bulbous. He reminded Harry of a bald Santa Claus. When they were all settled in front of Harry Helena smiled her warm smile again and asked.

"What exactly can we do for you mister Potter?" Harry sighed and he slowly explained to them what his exact situation was, feeling the irony of it eating at his stomach. He was telling everyone around him something he had sworn to keep secret, only he was still keeping it secret but just from the person he loved most. When he was finished explaining they three Attorneys sat for a moment, seemingly dumbfounded.

"And you wish to keep this secret until after your death then?" Helena asked.

"Yes".

"And when exactly will that be mister Potter, I know that 'The Creep' is a very predictable illness?" Minette raised her voice from the left of Helena.

"I will be in a coma in just under forty two hours, and dead in just under ninety". The words sounded so cold on Harry's ears, he'd long ago accepted that he was going to die, but hearing himself say it made it almost too real and he felt his heart beat in his chest and the room suddenly felt too small again.

"That doesn't leave us with much time to file and sort through everything mister Potter". Matthew paged through his notes and smiled at Harry, his face looking jolly even though he were giving bad news.

"I know, but it's important. And there aren't really all that many things I need to do. It's just the money in Gringots and the apartment in the city. The apartment is to be sold if Draco sees it fit to do so and the money has to be divided as I explained". It was Helena's turn to flip through her notes until she found the page and listed the division of money.

"Mister Potter, you need to confirm that this is what you would like your last will and testament to state with regard to monetary possessions".

"Yes".

"A portion of the money equal to the amount needed to send three children through Hogwarts is to be put in a trust for your offspring with Draco Malfoy as well as any other child he may have after your death?"

"Yes".

"Also, another trust is to be set up to pay for the institutional care of Molly Weasley at St Mungo's Hospital up until the time of her death, at which time the remaining funds will be transferred to Ginny Weasley (Soon to be Finnigan) to do with as she sees fit?"

"Yes". Harry nodded as he said the word but the older woman's tone was making him freak out, panic was in his chest again, it was as though she were already reading out his will to his friends, almost as though she were commuting a death sentence on him.

"Yet another trust is to be set up to ensure the care of Ronald Weasley, also at St Mungo's until the time of his death, at which time the remaining funds also transfer to miss Ginny Weasley?"

"Yes".

"And finally, whatever remains in the vault after these deductions are to go to Mister Draco Malfoy?".

"He doesn't like being called that, but yes".

"Good", Helena pulled her body up from the chair and looked down on her two partners, "until mister Potter's will has been finalised he is our only client. We must settle this account before the day is out". She nodded and came back around the table as the other two lawyers left. She led him back out of the conference room and to the waiting room where she reached out and took his hand.

"I am sorry to hear of your predicament Mister Potter. You will be sorely missed in our world. We have much to thank you for". With that she nodded politely and left the room.

The receptionist smiled at him again as he made his way out of the building. He saw a crowd gathered outside the front door, he found it curious for a moment before stepping out onto the street. As the smell of Diagon Alley hit him he immediately wished he'd used the floo to come see the lawyers. Hordes of reporters swamped him as he stepped onto the sidewalk.

"Mister Potter, why are you visiting this law firm?"

"Is it true that you and Draco Malfoy have been bonded?"

"What is your views on the current treatment of war criminals by the ministry?"

"You were recently spotted at the Hero's Cemetery at Hogwarts, will you be attending the ceremony tomorrow?"

"What are your feelings about the first anniversary of the attack?"

"Will you be celebrating your birthday after the ceremony?"

As the questions assaulted him Harry felt the panic rise again, he was appalled at the questions the reporters were asking him, how could they possibly expect him to have a party after the Ceremony to Commemorate the people he'd lost. Why did they care if he was there tomorrow or not. He uttered a choked "No Comment" and made his way down the street, hoping to give them the slip but they were like vultures chasing after a piece of meat and soon Harry was running away from them. Begging his legs to carry him away from the questions, the shouts and the memories they brought up. He outran them by several meters when he felt a hand grasp his shoulder. He twirled to see who it was but they were already apparating and the person was nothing but a blur.

Friday: 13h00 (40 Hours till Coma)

Harry came down hard on his knees, feeling them smack into the hard cobbled road. He had no time to feel the pain though as someone was pulling at him, dragging him painfully across the road, he heard some part of his clothing catch on some part of the road and a loud ripping sound echoed through the night. He struggled against the man, he was sure it was a man, who was pulling at him. His attempts at escape seemed feeble against the strong hands that dragged him along, helpless as a twig tossed into a flooding river.

The big man reached a door and Harry was flung into a dark room and he heard more apparition sounds as the door swung shut, man holding him whispered several quick words and Harry was unceremoniously dropped against the wall, his head making a loud cracking sound as it made contact. He tried to cry out but the man slammed his hand over Harry's lips. Keeping him quiet. Harry heard footsteps scrambling past outside.

"They went this way".

"No, they must have gone this way".

"Maybe they flew, his footprints are gone".

As the people outside searched for Harry, Harry's eyes searched the man sitting on his knees in front of him. He was much taller than Harry was, his shoulders much broader too. The hand that squashed his lips against his teeth was cold as death. A dark hood covered the man's head and Harry felt his insides give way to despair. Not another one of Ron's assassins, or maybe even a disgruntled, outdated Death Eater. He waited patiently for the hooded figure to make sure no one had tracked them, the street outside was silent. Harry slowly moved his arm to reach for his wand, if he had to go down at least he'd go down fighting.

"You don't need your wand, I'm not here to hurt you".

"Somehow I doubt that". Harry said but stopped reaching for his wand, there was no use in trying to use it if he'd already lost the element of surprise.

"Come on Harry, It's just me". The man stood t his full height, which was pretty staggering, and dropped his hood. Harry sighed in relief as he saw the slightly oversized front teeth and the light green eyes.

"Neville, you scared the shit out of me".

"Sorry Harry. Those damn vultures were after you, there was no time to explain". Harry looked up at the tall figure before him, the dopey boy from school replaced with a strong, self assured man. His still familiar face seemed much older and very tired, dark rings hung under his soft eyes and after the intense exercise of a few minutes before, his body seemed to slow down. It appeared to Harry that Neville wasn't sleeping well, not at all. He secretly suspected Neville was having the same kinds of nightmare Harry himself had been having for such a long time.

"It's fine, thank you Neville". Harry stood slowly, with the help of one of Neville's strong arms. When he was sure Harry was on his feet Neville stepped forward and crushed Harry in a bear hug.

The now very familiar popping sound of apparition burst in their ears.

"Mister Potter, why do I always seem to catch you in the arms of some man. Can you not restrain yourself?" The headmistress grumbled and Harry let go of Neville and turned to her.
"Like you said Professor, you need to start wearing a bell". She smiled at his comment but turned serious as she faced Neville.

"I'm glad you found him, have you told him of the plan?"

"Plan, what plan?" Harry asked, confused.

"The Headmistress told me about your… condition". Harry deflated and looked at the old woman.

"I'm sorry, but I thought it was in your best interest Mister Potter".

"How can it possibly be in my best interests?"

"Because, since you and Draco made headlines three times in just one week, and you'll probably be on the front page tomorrow, we devised a plan to hide you away until… until the end". The headmistress turned her head away from the two young men before her and Harry thought he glimpsed a tear in her eyes but when she lifted her head again it was gone.

"The Headmistress has a family cabin in the Alps, no one outside her family apart from me and you know about it and there will be no one there at this time of year".

"Why?"

"Honestly Mister Potter, the press just saw you come out of a law firm that specialises in wills, there are going to be questions and speculation. Do you really want to go through that in your last hours and since I assume you still haven't told your partner about your condition I think it would be best if he didn't read about it in the newspaper". Harry stared back at her, he'd never considered that Draco might ask questions about why Harry was seeing the attorneys. And no doubt the press would speculate all kinds of things, things that might include the idea that he might have The Creep.

"Wait, you still haven't told Draco?" Neville looked down on Harry, in both the literal and metaphorical sense and Harry felt like a child being scolded by a parent.

"No, I haven't".

"Why the hell not?"

"That is not important right now mister Longbottom, what is important is us getting out of this house and getting mister Potter and Draco to the cabin".

"Wait, are there supplies and stuff up there, what are we going to tell Draco?"

"The place is stocked year round mister Potter, and there is an enchanted cook book that activates the kitchen, just tap the recipe twice and the kitchen will do the rest but please be careful, the book has been in my family for five hundred years".

"And we will give Draco a port key to get there, since he doesn't know the location of the cabin and one can't apparate to it".

"But I need things from the apartment, I need my medicine, we can't ask Draco to bring that with him when he comes".

"I thought of that too Harry". Neville reached into his pockets and pulled out a handful of objects and handed them to Harry one by one, explaining them as he went. The first was an old pair of glasses; "They will take you the cabin in fifteen minutes". Harry scanned his watch and saw that it was almost two O-Clock. Time was running out. The second object was a silver goblet set with two emeralds; "This will bring you back to your apartment at six tonight, don't miss it please, and you can get your stuff, I'm sure you will be able to tell Draco something, you've always been inventive".

The third object Neville pulled out was, remarkably, a cellular phone, it was clearly out of date and no technician could ever get it working again.

"The Headmistress is going to your apartment now to see Ginny, she will put this phone in the bottom drawer of the bathroom cupboard, it leaves at seven, so you only have an hour to pack and get Draco and yourself out of there".

"Okay, thanks". Harry said as he put the goblet in his pocket and held on to the glasses.

"This port key is for tomorrow, if you want to come home for the ceremony. It will leave at ten tomorrow morning and take you back to the apartment, then you'll have two hours to get ready for the ceremony". Harry nodded and took the picture frame from Neville's hand.

'The last two port keys are to get you guys back to the cabin, and also to bring you back after… after you're gone". Neville held out a necklace and a bracelet. Harry looked down at the things and shook his head.

"Mister Potter please, you need to take them, the first port key is leaving in four minutes".

"I don't want them headmistress".

"Why not Harry?" Neville asked, his hand dropping a little lower than it had been just a second before.

"I don't want to die in some strange cabin in the Alps, I want to be here, well not here, but at home at least, I want to be in my own bed with Draco by my side".

"But…". A glance that was loaded with meaning passed between Neville and the Headmistress and Harry frowned, they were clearly hiding something from him but he didn't really care, having glances at his watch had made his acutely aware of how little time he had left and all he wanted to do was get away from them.

"No Neville, that is what I want". He glanced at his watch again and stepped forward to embrace his friend.

"Thank you for this Neville".

"Pleasure Harry. Goodbye". Harry stepped back and smiled before the port key became warm in his hand and he was gone from the abandoned house.

Friday: 18h00 (35 Hours till Coma)

Harry almost stumbled as the port key dropped him on his living room carpet. He heard someone shout behind him and turned around to find Seamus on the couch behind him, his wand pulled and ready to fire defensive charms. He dropped his hand when he saw it was Harry and stood up in a flash to stabilise his friend, who had missed one dose of potion and was really feeling the pain. The moment Seamus' hand touched him his legs gave way and he fell into his friend's arms, Seamus grunted at the sudden dead weight he had to carry but stayed upright before carefully lowering Harry to the floor.

"Harry, Harry are you okay?"

"I… I…".

"Should I get a doctor, Harry what's wrong?" Seamus shifted towards the fireplace but Harry grabbed his arm.

"My… The potion… my bedside drawer… charmed compartment". It was all Harry could get out before the pain seized him again. He heard himself groan and shout and felt the hot stinging tears run down his face. He'd never hurt so much, his body was on fire, his muscled were screaming at him to just give up and die, his brain throbbed and pounded against the insides of his skull as though it were boiling. His heart raced as he watched Seamus rush down out the door and heard the heavy footfalls as his friend ran down the hall. All thought was suddenly lost as a fresh wave of pain shot up his legs making the jump with involuntary convulsions and he slammed his ankle hard against one of the tiny tables beside the couch, sending Seamus' drink spraying over the wall. Gasping he rolled over and clutched at the carpet, groaning and praying to every god he knew of to just let the pain stop. That saviour came in the form of Seamus, who appeared in Harry's blurred vision, holding up the tiny vial, it's contents very depleted. He held it to Harry's lips and as the potion droplet made its way down his throat he felt the pain slip away like the tides of the ocean and left him stranded on a painless beach where he lay gasping for breath, just soaking in the calming rays of a sun that shone relief.

Several minutes later Harry pulled himself upright into a sitting position next to Seamus.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better thanks, Sorry for barging in but I came…" His eyes bulged at the unfinished sentence.

"Seamus, where are Ginny and Draco?" Panic at the thought that Draco had heard or seen the attack rushing up in his throat and almost making him gag.

"They went shopping this afternoon, they should be back at any moment".

"Oh thank Merlin. Listen Seamus, I need you to pack me a few things". Harry quickly explained Neville's plan to Seamus, who whole heartedly agreed and left the room to fetch the things Harry needed. Harry checked his watch, he only had half an hour before the Cell phone port key activated, he hoped Draco would be back in time.

Fifteen minutes later Seamus returned to the living room, having packed two small bags, they were after all only going to be away for the night. He handed Harry the old cell phone and dropped onto the floor next to him.

"Are you going to tell him?"

"No Seamus, I can't".

"You have to Harry, it's going to break him if you just go and die and he has to hear you kept this huge secret from him".

"Its too late, I can never tell him now, we only have a few hours left and telling him now is just going to ruin it all".

"Merlin Harry, you guys were bonded, Ginny might be pregnant with your child, you can't keep hiding this from him. It's wrong and unfair…" Seamus' eyes clouded over as he said the last few words and he seemed to float away on his own thought.

"Seamus, you've been drifting off like that ever since we came back from the hospital after the insemination, what's wrong. Seamus".

"Huh?" Harry asked his question again and Seamus couldn't look into his eyes.

"It's nothing Harry, really".

"It's not nothing. If it were nothing then you wouldn't be so upset". Seamus considered for a second before answering.

"I might be selfish but… but its this pregnancy that's bothering me".

"What, Why?" Harry felt like an idiot the moment the words were out of his mouth, he knew why, he'd always known he'd just chosen to ignore it.

"It's because she's pregnant but its not yours isn't it?"

"Yes". Seamus lifted his face and his cool blue eyes looked deep into Harry's emerald ones.

"I'm sorry".

"Don't be, I never considered how all this would make you feel, you are after all Ginny's boyfriend and you want to have children with her".

"Yes, but when we decided we'd help you guys I was fine with it, it's just now that its actually happened that I'm not so sure what to feel anymore".

Before the conversation could go any further though the front door opened and Ginny and Draco burst into the room, gigantic bunches of bags in their hands like big bouquets of brown paper flowers. Harry cast a quick glance at the clock on the wall and pulled himself up.

"Harry, welcome back, the headmistress said you'd be back around this time".

"Thanks Gin, look Draco, you need to put those bags down and grab that one by the door". Draco glanced behind him at the luggage and frowned at Harry.

"Why, I'm not going anywhere".

"Yes you are, we are". Harry corrected himself at Draco's upturned eyebrow.

"And just where is that?"

"There's no time, just drop these damn things". Harry almost shouted as another glance at the clock told him he only had a minute left. They struggled to get the paper bag strings away from Draco's arms and finally they dropped to the floor. Harry flung the two travel bags over his shoulder and took out the cell phone. He stepped behind Draco and used his free had to cover Draco's eyes, making the blonde giggle nervously.

"Keep up the fort Ginny, we'll be back at ten tomorrow". And with a quick, hopefully apologetic smile at Seamus, Harry felt the port key tug at him and the world exploded.

Friday: 19h00 (34 Hours till Coma)

Draco knew he had landed from the port key trip but he was unsure of where exactly he was. The floor beneath his feet felt hard but he was sure he was in some enchanted forest, the place he was in smelled of dark red wine and mahogany wood and the deep intoxicating aroma of a blood red rose that always reminded him of home. The room felt warm, the same safe, cosy kind of warmth one felt when first waking up after a cold winter night spent under a thick blanket. He instinctively knew that they were somewhere cold, the low temperature made itself known on the outside of the place where they were, but even it seemed comforting, it was keeping them safe. Draco took a deep breath and caught the tickling smell of cinnamon and a tiny groan escaped his lips as he leaned back against Harry. The brunette behind him felt solid and warm, a different kind of warmth than that in the room. He felt content to remain like that forever, at home in Harry's arms.

Harry leaned forward and kissed the exposed part of Draco's neck, making the blonde shiver and lean even deeper into the embrace. As he leaned back he exposed more of his pale neck to Harry' lips and Harry gently nipped at the skin before tracing the curve with kisses again.

Harry lowered his hand from Draco's eyes and the blonde nearly gasped. They were in a traditional log cabin, thick logs making up the walls and roof. A fire place sat in the centre of the living area, he noticed that the trim was made from one gigantic ruby, its natural deep red colouring the flame to a dark burgundy. Plum coloured draped hung over the windows, hiding away the snow behind their thickness. The dark wood furniture dotted around the room are bathed in welcoming shadows that seem to invite Draco to settle on them. In front of the fire place is a white carpet that seems so thick it seems to be made of pure fleece.

"Harry, this place is beautiful". It was indeed, it was like no place Draco had ever seen.

"This is where you were when you were supposedly helping the headmistress, isn't it?" Draco turned and lifted himself the fraction he needed to reach Harry's lips and brushed his own lips against Harry's. The brunette tasted like dark chocolate and Draco deepened the kiss, revelling in the taste of his lover's lips.

"Come on". Harry whispered and he lifted Draco off his feet and they carefully made their way behind the chairs in front of the fireplace.

They settled at a small dining table near the kitchen. As they sat down Draco's eye caught Harry in the flickering light of the fire as well as the candles that floated above the table. The light made the brunette's skin seem deeply tanned, the perfect shade of golden. The dark emeralds that were his eyes reflected the flames and it made them seem mysterious and even more enchanting than before. The table was set with glittering silver plates and goblets, silver cutlery spread out on the Sangria coloured table cloth. Scarlet rose petals and fresh mint leaves were scattered over the dark surface, the two smells mixing together to make and almost perfume like smell that weakened Draco's knees and made his heart melt.

As Draco still takes is the incredible décor, plated of food float from the kitchen and settle on the table. He looks down at the wine marinated steak pasta. The meat is tinted dark red, the sauce only a slight shade less red. They eat silently, at first casting glances at one another across the table as the incredible Italian food intoxicates their taste buds, making the little organs beg for more. As they eat Harry reaches for a napkin the same time Draco does and their fingers brush. Hot little bolts of passion make their way up Draco's arm and settle in his heart, making his head swim as Harry gently caresses his fingers. They don't need to speak, they communicate just fine with touch and the make their way from the table to the sitting area. Harry pulls Draco close to him and pushes their lips together. The red wine from the meal mixes with the chocolate taste on Harry's lips and Draco embraces his brunette Gryffindor lover and pulls them to the carpet in front of the fire place. Neither of them have ever felt a carpet quite like it. Its thick furry folds settle around their bodies but it doesn't give way beneath their weight. The white softness making them feel as though they are drifting on an enchanted cloud high above the world.

Harry kisses Draco gently as he slips his hand over the buttons of the Slytherin's shirt, flicking each of them open as he goes to reveal the pale hairless chest he loves so much. In the light from the fire place Draco's skin looks misty, as though he were an apparition that could disappear at any moment. Harry twists his wand as he leans down to kiss one of the hard pink nipples on the phantom skin and watches as goose bumps spread out in a wave from the point of contact. A bowl of Dwarf pears soaked in sweet red wine float into the room. Harry takes one of the tiny spoons attached to the bowl and scoops one pear half out of the sauce, a drop falls from the spoon but Harry catches it on his lips before bringing the red little pear down to Draco's lips. His tongue cringes with joy as it tastes the little fruit, the win is laced with cognac that tickles his tongue. He opens his eyes as he feels a drop of sauce run from his lips.

Harry's eyes follow the tiny drop as it makes its way down Draco's chin, staining the white skin a pale red as it makes its way down the length of Draco's neck. The blonde's eyes are fixed on Harry as the brunette watches the drop settle in the blonde's jugular notch for a moment before slipping out of the v-shape and down over the middle of his chest. Unable to restrain himself any longer Harry leans forward and catches the drop with a kiss, tasting the win and Draco's natural sweetness as he proceeded to follow the path of the drop, stopping to suck at the v-shape at the base of Draco's neck, getting a satisfied groan from Draco which made the soft skin tremble against his lips before continuing on the drop's path up Draco's neck and over his chin before finally coming to the pale pink lips that trembled as Harry drew near, begging for him to kiss them. And kiss them he did, he placed gentle butterfly kisses on his lover's willing lips, feeling Draco run his tongue along the insides of Harry's teeth, tickling the roof of his mouth. Harry ran his right hand gently up the length of Draco's pale flesh, feeling the warmth of his lover's body, caressing the nipple on the way to Draco's neck, making the blonde shiver beneath him. Harry watched as Draco's eyes fluttered shut and lowered his head. He ran a finger over the throbbing pulse in Draco's neck before placing a soft kiss there, feeling Draco heartbeat against his lips. Draco's hand lifted and embedded itself in Harry's dark strands, pulling a them gently, begging for more.

* * *

Both men lay on the thick white strands that made up the carpet, its delicate strands like silk against their naked bodies. The fire kept them warm where they lay, Harry's head propped on a pillow, Draco's head on Harry's chest, listening to the brunette's heartbeat. The pears had been devoured and the bowl lay discarded on the floor between the two chairs, the silence from dinner still hung in the air, neither man having said anything since the initial words upon their arrival Draco shifted his head and looked up into Harry's eyes, so close to sleep. Harry smiled dreamily at him and a tired hand lifted to stroke the blonde strands, they tickled Harry's chest as they fell from his fingers. Draco shook his head lightly and pulled himself up Harry's body, settling his head on Harry's shoulder and his right arm across his chest. He gently caressed Harry's shoulder as he nuzzled the brunette's neck.

"Don't go to sleep". Harry whispered as he embraced the blonde, pulling their warm bodies tightly together.

"I don't want to, I'm just so tired". Draco mumbled against Harry' neck, the words both heard and felt.

"I love you Draco". Harry whispered as he ran his hand slowly up Draco's back.

"I love you too". Harry felt his lips turn up into a content smile as he drifted off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Neville was the mini hero in this chapter because I think he is really awesome and he kind of reminds me of my brother … OMW he's going to kill me when he finds out I compared him to yet another fictional character. Haha

A/N 2: Huge, Huge thanks to Noddy11feb for his incredible input in this chapter with regard to the whole cabin scene (Both his culinary skills and the fact that he is the world's biggest romantic helped me a lot), he is the most incredible guy in the world. Thank you!