Chapter 5

Harry woke to the smell of bacon. Rolling over he blinked at the sunlight streaming in through the windows. With a start, he realized that he had slept the night through. Draco's side of the bed was empty, and there was no sound of a screaming baby. Remembering his petulance of the night before, he assumed that at last Draco had understood.

Feeling more energetic than he had in quite a while, he made his way to the bathroom. After a careful shave and shower, he dressed in the clean clothes he found in his drawer. Draco must have worked half the night, he thought tenderly. He'd even tidied the dresser top. Harry smiled to himself, and splashed on a bit of Draco's favorite cologne.

In the kitchen, he found Draco alone. The table was set for two, and his blond lover was pouring tea.

"You look well, Harry. Feeling any better?" Draco asked, placing a full cup in front of Harry. Harry sat down, and took a sip, then looked around the kitchen.

"Where's Sevvy?" he asked, instantly alarmed. Draco sighed to himself, it was always the baby first, he thought.

"He's out with his godfather." Draco said calmly, bracing himself for the storm Harry was sure to erupt with.

"He's out? Without me? Where?" Harry demanded, not noticing that Draco was serving him breakfast.

"Don't, Harry. It's okay. Severus took him to the park for a walk. It gives us a chance to talk. Drink your tea, you'll feel better." Draco choked back the fact that the tea had been "flavoured" with a calming draught.

To his surprise, Harry did take a long drink from his cup. "Not bad," he said, swirling the liquid left in the cup. "Did you do all this for me?" he asked, drinking down the rest. Draco quickly refilled the cup.

"Of course," Draco told him, hating the lie. The house elves had cleaned everything they could find and then prepared a sumptuous breakfast. Then they had disappeared. "Severus and I had a long talk last night, and I couldn't sleep." At least that much had been true.

Harry realized that he was hungry and tucked into his breakfast. Draco watched him for a few moments, then started in on his eggs. Harry stopped eating after a few bites and smiled at his lover. Draco drew in his breath in audible wonder.

"What is it?" Harry asked him, puzzled.

"Great Merlin, Harry, you are so beautiful when you smile." Draco told him. Harry felt his chest contract with something like awe. Tears filled the corners of his eyes.

"Don't start, now," Draco said, tenderly. He took his napkin and wiped the tears away from Harry's cheek. Harry leaned into his touch, and Draco dropped the napkin. Overjoyed at this first sign of acceptance from the dark haired man he loved, Draco gently caressed Harry's cheek. They exchanged a long and loving look, then Draco carefully took his hand back. Clearing his throat, he returned to his meal, remembering Severus' words of the night before.

"Don't be surprised if he isn't interested in any physical relations right now," his former teacher had told him. "It's going to take some work for him to recover from this. Just be as patient and supportive as you can."

"Is something wrong?" Harry asked him, slightly put out that Draco had pulled away.

"No, no," Draco replied quickly. "I just don't want all the hard work that went into this food to go to waste." Or to be rejected by you again, he thought.

Harry smiled again, and took a bite of toast. "It is good," he mumbled. Swallowing, he continued, "I don't think you've made me breakfast since that morning..." Suddenly, he stopped, realizing that the morning he was referring to was the day after Lucius had found out about them.

"Sorry, I didn't mean..." he began, but Draco waved a hand at him. The last thing he wanted was Harry to start blaming himself as he had on that night, when Draco had appeared at his door, bleeding, dazed, and soaked from the rain.

"It's okay, Harry. We knew it would come one day. Don't dwell on the past, that's my motto. Right?" He winked at Harry, and was surprised and pleased to see Harry wink back.

They ate in silence, Draco finishing quickly and pouring Harry yet another cup of tea. He hated himself for not blurting out the truth. He wanted to be open and honest with his lover, for Harry was the one person who had been able to see beyond the facade Draco put on for others, to scared and damaged man beneath. To continue with the plans Severus had insisted on felt like lying, and the one thing Draco always wanted to be was honest with Harry. Harry had accepted the real Draco without question, realizing that Draco had acted as he had due to his parents abuse. It was only when Harry told him that he loved the man Draco had become that he had felt himself healing. Draco would do nothing to jeopardize their relationship, needing Harry's love and acceptance, but he just did not know what else to do. Harry broke into his reverie.

"When will Severus be back?" he asked, finishing his tea, and taking the dishes to the sink. Draco was terrified one of the house elves would show up and start washing. But Harry was looking through the kitchen drawer for his wand.

"Not for a while." Draco told him, as Harry began to clean up. "He was complaining that we never let him fulfil his duties as godfather."

Harry actually managed a chuckle at that. "Sirius' duties included hiding in a cave disguised as a giant dog. I hope Severus doesn't have anything like that in mind."

Draco laughed louder than he expected. It was almost like having Harry back again. He took his plate to the sink, and gently, almost as if he were frightened, he ran a hand over Harry's shoulder. Instead of the flinching he'd become accustomed to, Harry actually seemed to enjoy his touch. Instantly, Draco felt desire for Harry overwhelm him. He stepped back suddenly.

"What is it, love?" Harry asked, the endearment falling easily from his lips. He reached up and stroked the strand of hair that fell behind Draco's ear, his touch exquisite against the blond's skin.

"Nothing, nothing, I just remembered that I wanted to, to," he stopped, staring in amazement. Harry's eyes had darkened with desire and the look he gave his lover made Draco go weak at the knees. What was in that tea? he asked himself.