A/N: So I tried to get this out last night, but my daughter had other things in mind and kept me from posting it lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter and love me even more at the end ;)

Chapter 20: Which Road to Take?

The next morning, Harry made his way down to breakfast with Hermione and Ron. His mood had not improved since the night before and had actually gotten worse, especially when he saw Draco that morning completely ignoring him. It broke his heart over again, but he had nobody to blame for that, but himself. He tried several times throughout breakfast to catch Draco's eye, but he was not successful.

He moved the food around on his plate, but didn't eat a single thing. Hermione and Ron watched him with concern. "Harry, you need to eat something," Hermione said gently.

He shrugged. "I'm not really all that hungry. I'm an idiot, Mione. Voldemort isn't even around anymore and the likelihood of me losing Draco is slim to none. Well, at least it was before I freaked out about nothing. Why do I do this to myself?" he questioned. He placed his head in his hands and sagged his shoulders.

Hermione sighed. "I don't know, Harry. Maybe you should spend your time here thinking about that. It'll work out how it's supposed to work out. You made a mistake and hopefully it wasn't a permanent one. We better get going. Are you coming?" she asked.

Harry nodded and stood up from the table. He glanced over at the Slytherin table and caught a glimpse of Draco averting his eyes. He frowned and looked away as he followed Hermione and Ron out of the Great Hall and out the doors as they headed down to Hogsmeade to catch the train.

"You know, it's not too late for you to come to the Burrow. You know you're more than welcome," Ron suggested.

Harry shook his head. "Thanks, but no. I'm not much in the Christmas mood now. Ugh, why do I have to be so stupid? Anyway, you guys are going to have a great time and you all need this. I'll be fine here," he replied.

Ron sighed, but nodded. They walked on in silence until they reached the platform in Hogsmeade. Harry looked around, searching for Draco, but didn't see him yet. He looked at his two best friends and gave them a smile.

Hermione hugged him tightly. She cradled his face in her hands when she stepped back. "It will be okay, Harry. I'm sure of it. Happy Christmas," she assured him before kissing him on the cheek.

Ron gave him a manly hug and a pat on the back. "Happy Christmas, mate. Let us know if you need anything," he told him sincerely.

Harry nodded. "Thanks guys. Happy Christmas to you both. Enjoy your trips." They smiled at him and Hermione hugged him tightly again. They both boarded the train and Harry watched them for a moment before he turned around to walk back up to the castle. He didn't move when his eyes fell on Draco standing on the platform a bit down the way. Pansy was standing next to him talking to him, but he wasn't facing her, he was facing him. They stared at each other for a long moment. Draco had a soft look in his eye that made Harry's stomach flutter. He took a deep breath before he started over to him. Draco watched him the entire way. Harry stopped in front of him and gave him a small smile. Draco returned it.

"I'm just going to- yeah, um…" Pansy trailed off as she walked away from them.

"You're still staying?" Draco asked quietly.

Harry nodded. "Yeah. It's what I want, need to do."

"Pansy is staying here too. Her parents are travelling over the holiday to go visit her brother or something and she didn't want to go. Maybe you two can hang out," Draco said with a slight teasing tone.

Harry glanced over at Pansy and snorted. "Doubtful, but we'll see. Listen, um, I don't want us to leave for the break on a bad note, so I just want to say that I'm really sorry for being an idiot. I haven't always been the smartest when it comes to certain things, especially matters of the heart. I hope that when you come back, you'll want to talk to me again. Enjoy your holiday, Draco. Happy Christmas," he said quietly. He stepped around him with a nod and started to walk away.

"Harry, wait- I mean, happy Christmas Harry," he whispered, but he was already gone. Pansy walked back over to him and watched Harry walk away with him.

"What happened?" she asked.

"He apologized to me and wished me a happy Christmas," he muttered. He frowned in the direction that Harry had gone even though he couldn't see him anymore.

"Well, that's good then, so what are you so upset about?" she questioned.

Draco shook his head and walked towards the train. "Will you keep an eye on him while I'm gone?" he asked.

Pansy smiled at him. "Oh, I'll keep an eye on him," she promised with a lustful tone to her voice.

Draco glared at her. "On second thought, stay away from him," he replied.

She started laughing. "Oh, Draco, I won't steal him from you. You love him and I couldn't possibly take that away from you, plus I have a feeling that he wouldn't budge anyway," she responded.

Draco studied her for a moment. "Yeah, okay. See you next year, Pansy. Enjoy your Christmas," he said to her.

Pansy smiled at him and waved. "You too," she replied.

Draco waved and boarded the train. Pansy watched him for a moment before she turned to look in the direction that Harry had gone and set out to 'hang out' with Harry.

XXXX

Harry wandered around Hogsmeade looking for some last minute gifts for his friends and Draco. Despite the fact that they weren't really together or whatever it was he still wanted to get Draco a gift, a really good gift.

"You know, if you stepped out of Draco's fireplace with a bow and saying you loved him that would be the best present he could possibly ever want," a voice sounded behind him.

He turned to look over his shoulder at Pansy and sighed. "He'd probably prefer to take the bow off of me and strangle me with it," he answered in a sullen voice.

Pansy chuckled, "Somehow I doubt that," she responded.

Harry shrugged. "What do you think he'd like?" he asked her as he stopped in front of the Apothecary.

"I already told you," she began. Harry gave her a look that said he wasn't amused. She sighed and continued, "honestly, Potter, if you were to tell him that you love him, like we all know you do, and just stopped being afraid of something that could or couldn't happen to anyone, then I think you would seriously have the best gift for him."

Harry walked away from the Apothecary and crossed the street to a bench. He sat down and placed his head in his hands. Pansy sighed and walked over and took a seat next to him. "You think I'm afraid of nothing?" he questioned.

"I think you have a genuine fear because of all that you've lost, but I also think that if everyone stayed away from loving someone for the fear of losing them, then you would not be here today. Most of us wouldn't be here today. Take a chance, Potter. Believe me, he's worth it," she replied. She patted him on the knee, albeit awkwardly, before she stood and left Harry to his thoughts.

He looked up to watch her leave and then sat there staring at the road in front of him. He looked up and down it for a moment thinking about what to do. He thought about everything that had happened between him and Draco in the past seven years, all their fights and battles; all the times they were forced to work together; the few times that Harry saved Draco during the war; and all their shared moments the past few days. Harry didn't think that there was anyone else that could maintain his interest and keep life interesting for him than Draco. You can't keep love out of life because then it's not much of a life.

He glanced at the road again thinking that it represented his life at this moment. He could continue down the road he was on and not take a chance with Draco or he could take the less travelled path and be with Draco like he wanted, like they both wanted. He stood up suddenly as he realized that he wanted to take that less travelled path. He wasn't going to let Draco slip away. He quickly started heading back to the castle with only one thought in his mind.

By the time he made it back to the castle it was nearly dinner and quite dark. He rushed into the castle and into the Great Hall. Everyone who was left at Hogwarts was already there. He sat down next to Pansy and began putting some food onto his plate. Pansy glanced at him with a questioning look.

"Mr. Potter, where have you been all day?" Professor McGonagall asked.

He put his fork down and looked up at her, blushing slightly. "I was, uh, still in Hogsmeade getting some last minute gifts," he responded.

She studied him for a moment, but gave him a brisk nod before returning to her conversation with Professor Slughorn. Harry glanced over at Pansy as he quickly ate his dinner. Once he was finished and dessert was close to being served he turned his head slightly towards Pansy. "I need to see him. You're right, I love Draco and I need to tell him that," he whispered to her.

Pansy smiled. "Lucky for you, I know how to get to him. Come to the Slytherin dorm after dinner. I'll get you there," she responded quietly. He nodded and they both dug into their dessert.

Pansy left before Harry as to not arouse suspicion if they left together. Once Harry left the Great Hall he made his way quickly down to the dungeons. He knocked on the door and Pansy answered it. She ushered him in and over to the fireplace.

"Okay, throw in the floo powder and call out Malfoy Manor, Draco and it will drop you right in his room," Pansy explained. Harry lifted an eyebrow in question and Pansy glared at him. "I don't always get along with my parents. Now go. I'm sure he's in his room," she continued.

Harry nodded and started towards the fireplace. He reached up and took a handful of powder. He stepped into the fireplace and looked up at Pansy. "Thank you," he told her.

She nodded, but held her hand up to stop him before he dropped the powder. "You're sure? I don't think he can handle you changing your mind again," she asked him, her tone serious.

"Would I have come to you for help if I wasn't serious?" he joked. She smirked at him, but her expression turned serious again. "Yes, I am sure," he assured her. She nodded and dropped her hand. Harry smiled at her and dropped the powder, calling out his destination.

He hated flooing, but concentrated on landing gracefully in Draco's room. He was successful and landed carefully in the room. He looked up triumphantly and saw that Draco was lying on his bed with his back to him, his bare back. Harry gulped as he took in his lithe back and his mouth watered at the sight of his smooth, pale skin. He felt himself wanting to walk over and touch the silky smooth skin, but managed to contain himself.

"Pansy, I just left a few hours ago. You can't possibly already need to see me about something," Draco called from his bed. He didn't look over his shoulder and Harry didn't say anything. Draco sighed loudly and slammed his book closed. He sat up and swung his legs over his bed, his back still to Harry. He stood and stretched which only caused Harry to want him even more. He was wearing cotton pajama bottoms that were hung low on his hips. Draco walked around his bed and looked up, ready to speak. He stopped with his mouth hanging open as his soft gray eyes settled on Harry.

"Hi," Harry said quietly.

Draco stared at him. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I have to tell you something," he responded.

"What?" Draco questioned in a quivering voice.

"I love you," Harry replied.