Disclaimer: Love Harry but he belongs to another…

Chapter 4

Over the two weeks in between Harry's emotional confession to Hermione and his (upcoming) public encounter with Malfoy in the Great Hall, Harry had noticed Malfoy trying to catch him alone a few times. Malfoy, who was very discretely watching Harry most of the time, kept a reasonable distance and his interest in Harry went largely unnoticed except by Harry himself, Hermione and, surprisingly, Ron, who hadn't been noticing much lately besides Hermione. Ron had actually commented on it to Harry a few days before, quietly asking Harry what was going on. Harry said something vague about Malfoy being a weirdo and how should he know what was going on, before quickly announcing he had quidditch practice and making a hasty exit. Ron was affectionately watching Hermione most of the time now and he had begun to notice just how protective she was becoming of Harry, especially around Malfoy. Ron was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the idea that there was something going on and he wasn't being told.

On this particular day, the day Harry and Malfoy finally had it out in front of the whole school, Harry was late to breakfast. He hadn't managed to fall asleep until the early hours of the morning and was, naturally, reluctant to get up when his alarm sounded at 7.30am. As he entered the Great Hall alone, Malfoy saw his chance and stepped into Harry's path. He was unavoidable, so Harry steeled himself for their encounter, he knew it had to happen eventually and he hoped he was ready.

"Get out of my way, Malfoy," Harry's voice was as hard as his glare.

Malfoy smirked, knowing he had him finally. "Make me," he teased.

Harry moved to step around him, but Malfoy moved with him making sure he couldn't pass. "I'd move if I was you, Malfoy." Harry said, scowling at him.

Malfoy eyed Harry's fist as he clenched it. "Do it, Potter," he said, urging Harry to lose control and just hit him. "Don't hold back, I'm all healed so it'll take more than just a push." Malfoy raised his eyebrows and smirked, knowing Harry knew he was referring to their kiss when Harry hugged too tight making Draco cry out in pain.

"Bastard," Harry whispered before shoving Malfoy hard.

Malfoy shoved Harry back, his eyes alight with excitement. Harry pulled out his wand, but Malfoy was too quick for him, "Expelliarmus!" he yelled. Harry's wand flew out of his grasp and across the room. "No wands, Potter," Malfoy stated as he threw his wand in the same direction as Harry's. Harry jumped first, pulling Malfoy to the ground and punching him in the stomach, just before he got elbowed in the face. Harry whacked Malfoy in the nose a second before kicking him in the shins. Malfoy punched Harry in the stomach and pushed at his shoulders in an attempt to separate them, but Harry wasn't having that. (If Malfoy wanted this, he got it!) Harry grabbed at Malfoy's robes and pulled him back, aiming another kick at his legs. Malfoy tried to push them apart again and Harry got another good punch in at Malfoy's shoulder before the two boys were pulled apart. Harry found himself being grasped tightly by Hagrid's big hands as he watched Malfoy being pulled off the ground by Professor Snape.

"Thank you, Hagrid," Snape drawled, "I can take it from here. I'll escort these two to the hospital wing. Thirty points from Gryffindor for starting fights Potter."

Hagrid let Harry go. "Yeh a'right, Harry?" he asked, looking concerned.

"Fine, thanks Hagrid."

"That's a nasty cut there on yeh eyebrow, best you go off to the hospital wing with Professor Snape."

Harry turned and walked with Snape and Malfoy to the hospital wing. He could feel blood stinging his left eye and he tried to wipe it out, unfortunately this only served to rub it in and making it sting more. By the time they reached the hospital wing Harry could only see out of his right eye and Malfoy's nose was dripping a surprising amount of blood down the front of his robes. Snape left them both with some stern words and an extra special glare for Harry. Madam Pomfrey fixed up Harry first, then Malfoy; they were both instructed to stay and rest for at least an hour so she was sure her healing salve was working properly. The hospital wing was relatively empty and Harry wasn't surprised when Malfoy came to see him at his bedside.

"Hey," he greeted Harry quietly. Harry didn't respond so he continued, "well, now that's out of the way, feeling better?"

"Fuck off, Malfoy."

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he said as he reached for Harry's hand. "I never meant to."

Harry pulled his hand away. "What is wrong with you!? Haven't you done enough?" Harry demanded, keeping his voice low so he wouldn't disturb Madam Pomfrey – although his tone more than made up for his lack of volume. "Before I helped you that night, I never thought about you – ever. Now, you're always in my head! You keep watching me; you are driving me completely nuts. For fuck's sake, Malfoy, just leave me alone! Don't make things worse."

Harry wasn't sure if this was the right thing to say; he was being rather candid with Malfoy and it could come back to bite him later. But Harry was too frustrated with Malfoy to really care much if he was saying the right thing or not; he figured that Malfoy wasn't all that keen on their little encounter being made public either so he might think twice about telling the rest of the school about Harry's constant Malfoy-related thoughts.

"You never thought about me before this?" Malfoy asked quietly.

"Never," Harry said firmly.

"I thought about you," Malfoy replied softly. This last statement confused Harry into speechlessness again and he forgot to protest as Malfoy covered Harry's warm hands with his own.

"You did?" Harry asked dumbly. "When?"

"When I first met you; I wondered what you would feel like, what you'd taste like." Draco leaned in closer to Harry as if to kiss him, but Harry pulled away.

"Malfoy, we were eleven when we first met!" Harry stated, horrified.

Malfoy ignored him. "You are an icon, Harry, and incredibly sexy; combine that with your obvious innocence and you are an instant wet dream." Malfoy was looking at Harry hungrily as he leaned in again for a kiss.

Harry lightly pushed Malfoy back by his shoulder and scoffed, "You're such a fucking liar, Malfoy."

"I'm not a liar, not about this anyway. Everyone wants you, Harry, not just little girls like Ginny Weasley." Harry frowned at this remark, but Malfoy continued, "You're Harry Potter for fuck's sake! The boy who lived! You're a hero, a symbol of hope; you my sweet boy are a fucking GOD! Everyone wants a bit of you, not just little girls and gay boys."

Harry had to laugh at this, "so big girls and straight boys want me too?" he joked.

Malfoy smiled, pleased Harry was loosening up. "Absolutely!" he exclaimed.

"Then which category do you fall into?"

"I don't know anymore. You've turned my world upside down." Malfoy wound his fingers around Harry's as he spoke, grasping his hand tightly.

"Well, if I'm as desirable as you say, why don't you want me?"

"Oh but I do!"

"Funny way of showing it," Harry stated grimly. Harry was no longer lost in the moment or dazzled by Malfoy's extravagant flirting. Everything that had happened and everything he felt over the last 3 weeks was very quickly rushing back to him and he suddenly wasn't so keen on Malfoy's close proximity. Harry pried his hand from Malfoy's and crossed his arms to deny Malfoy access to him.

"Harry," Malfoy whispered as he sat himself on the edge of Harry's bed. "You have no idea how much I wanted to be with you, right from the start. But I thought it was too dangerous, it would be reckless."

"Dangerous! How much more danger can I be in, Malfoy!" Harry yelled a bit too loudly.

"Sshh, I know. That's what I wanted to say. I've changed my mind. You are far too delicious for me to leave to someone else, I need you for myself." Malfoy stared into Harry's eyes, daring him to look back and see his sincerity. He did.

Harry smiled in spite of himself, "seriously?" he asked.

"Definitely," Malfoy smiled back; he knew he had won.

Harry smiled and allowed Malfoy the kiss he'd been twice denied already. It was short, but definitely sweet. Malfoy dashed back to his bed before Madam Pomfrey arrived to check on the noise – she had heard Harry yelling. A few minutes after Madam Pomfrey was settled safely back into her office a small piece of paper came fluttering over to him like a butterfly. Harry caught it in his hands and opened it up, on it was two lines written in a small scratchy print, it said:

Stop calling me Malfoy.

My name is Draco.

A/N: Much thanks for the reviews, I adored them all :D I have noted the request for an easier to read format and I fully intend to put in cute little scene breaks (see above) from now on, but I found it hard to find a spot to put them in this particular chapter – everything sort of flows together and breaks don't seem to fit… but next time!

Let me know what you thought of this chapter – I know it was slightly shorter than usual but it just ended so nicely there, don't you think?

I know Harry caved to Malfoy's charm rather easily, but deep down he never wanted to say no so really he did well putting up the fight he did!

How are you all feeling about Malfoy – sorry, Draco? How is he coming across?

Also just a warning I'm in high demand this weekend and hence can't guarantee when ch 5 will be up. Never fear though I'm nearly finished it so it shouldn't be more than a week away. I just have this thing where I like to be at least one chapter ahead and posting this early is making me feel like im falling behind. But I couldn't help myself, I'm as eager to see what you think as (I hope) you are to read it.