A/N: I'm sure that you guys are just going to love this chapter and think that I am torturing you... I can assure you that I am not purposefully torturing you, just doing what's necessary :D I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 19: Heavy Hearts and Messy Minds

Hermione and Ron arrived outside Harry's dorm room and knocked on the door. "Go away!" he yelled through the door. Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance and then gave both an affirming nod before Hermione spelled the door open forcefully. It slammed into the wall and they both stepped in with their arms crossed. Harry was staring at them with wide, wet eyes staring at the door and them in disbelief. Ron kicked the door shut behind them and they both stalked over to him. Hermione leveled him with a stern look while Ron looked down at him in much the same way.

"What?" he demanded.

"Harry James Potter, what in the hell is wrong with you?" Hermione questioned angrily.

Harry stood up defiantly and glowered down at her. "What are you talking about?" he asked in a heated voice.

"Look, mate, we've talked with Malfoy about what happened. What are you thinking?" Ron said in a calm voice. He looked between Hermione and Harry and could feel the magic sparking between them. Finally, Harry looked away sheepishly and returned to his bed. He threw himself down onto the mattress and buried his face in his pillow. Hermione took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

"I can't be with him. I thought I could, but I can't," he said sadly.

"Harry, you can be with him, you are just too damn afraid," Hermione responded.

Harry didn't say anything. He lied there quietly.

"What are you so afraid of?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed loudly and turned to face them. "I'm afraid that I'm going to lose him like I lose everyone else," he replied.

"We know that, but what are you so afraid of?" Hermione questioned.

Harry looked at her and frowned. "I just told you," he said unsurely.

"No, listen Harry, you have always been brave and met each challenge head on. Why can't you do that this time? Why can't you be brave?" she expanded.

"I…Well… Draco is important, really important and I'm just afraid that I'll meet this challenge and jump right in like I always do and it will get snapped away from me," he replied quietly.

"Well, I've got news for you Harry, I think you've lost him, but not by someone else's doing, but your own," Hermione said with finality. She stood and waltzed out of the room.

Harry looked up at Ron in confusion. "What is she talking about?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Ron looked after her in confusion; unsure of why she said that when that wasn't the case. He turned to look at Harry. "Um, well, we talked to him earlier and he said he was going to stay away. So I guess that means that, yeah, you've lost him. I'm sorry mate," he said. He patted him on the shoulder and walked out of the room.

Harry sat up and looked after him. He felt his stomach flutter and the on set of a panic attack. They must be mistaken. Draco couldn't possibly be done over a little misunderstanding. Well, of course he could. I was an idiot. Harry stood up and quickly left the dorm, determined to find Draco and explain what he meant before.

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Ron arrived in the common room and found Hermione sitting on the couch. He sat down next to her. "Thanks for leaving me in there with him," he muttered uncomfortably.

"Well, someone had to tell him," she responded.

"But, Malfoy said he was just going to give him some distance. He didn't say anything about not wanting to be with him," Ron replied in confusion.

"I know that, but Harry doesn't," Hermione replied slyly. Ron gave her a sideways glance and saw the corners of her mouth turn up into a small smile. Ron chuckled and shook his head.

"Good one, Mione," he said as he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. She blushed and beamed with pride.

Not even a minute after Ron had gotten down there they heard the door close upstairs and saw Harry rushing down the stairs and out of the common room. Hermione and Ron exchanged knowing looks and smiled at each other.

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Harry arrived at the Slytherin dorm in record time. He hesitated at the door, wondering if he should even be there. He decided that yes, he needed to speak to Draco and it needed to be now. He pounded on the door and waited impatiently for someone to open it. Finally, after what seemed like hours, someone opened the door. It was the same third year from earlier, but this time he only looked up at Harry in confusion instead of disdain like he had with Hermione and Ron.

"I need to see Draco right now," Harry demanded.

The kid looked at him for a moment and quickly turned and shut the door behind him. A minute later the portrait opened and Draco stepped out. He looked up at Harry with a cool gaze. Harry frowned, but was so glad to see him that he rushed forward and pressed his lips to Draco's. However, instead of the warm welcome he had hoped for, he did not get a response. He stepped back blushing and new tears pricking the corners of his eyes.

"What do you need Harry?" Draco asked in a sullen voice.

Harry could tell that he had been crying and upset. It made him feel even worse than he already did. He sighed and stepped back. He looked down at his feet and appeared to be interested in a dark spot on the stones. "I need to explain earlier today," he began.

Draco crossed his arms and shook his head. "No, there is no need to explain. I already understand what is going on and I'm stepping back. I'm giving you distance," he replied, interrupting him.

"But, that isn't what I want," Harry protested.

Draco threw his hands in the air and turned his back on him. "You want me, you don't want me. I can't handle the back and forth, Harry so for my sanity I'm keeping my distance," he said in exasperation.

"But Draco, please, I just, give me some time," Harry begged.

Draco turned to look at him. He stepped forward and placed his hands on his face. He stared deeply into his eyes as he ran his thumb across his jaw line and lips. Harry fluttered his eyes closed at the touch and a few tears escaped. Draco brushed them away carefully. Harry opened his eyes for a moment and saw that Draco was also tearing up. Draco looked down at his lips again and then leaned forward pressing a gentle, loving kiss onto Harry. They tilted their heads to the side and deepened the kiss, but all too soon Draco broke the kiss and rested his forehead against Harry's. "I'm going home tomorrow for break so you'll have plenty of time. Just remember that kiss and know that I love you and I have for a very long time. Don't be afraid anymore," Draco whispered. He gave him one more light kiss before he dropped his hands and turned to walk back into the Slytherin common room.

Harry stared at the empty space in front of him and brought his fingers up to his lips. He looked up at the door as tears slid down his cheeks. He turned around and ran back to the Gryffindor Tower, his heart heavy and his mind a mess.