OK guys, I know you've been waiting for me to update for a long time, and I apologize! I was suffering from writer's block, and then a lost interest for writing, and then my computer died on me. But I have managed to overcome my writing dilemmas and I have a new computer. I'll try to update more often from now on.

Autumn slowly gave way to winter. Things between Harry and Draco were still strained, but they were closer than ever. They bonded over their lost loves and found solace in each other. With every day that had passed since that day in the infirmary, Draco cursed Blaise. Harry took to hiding within his own mind more and more, and Draco's shoulder hurt like a bitch. As it turned out, he'd not only dislocated his shoulder but also torn his rotator cuff. The doctor wanted to see how the shoulder would heal on his own before he even considered the option of surgery. It was safe to say that Draco's shot at playing any spring sports was shot.

Draco was currently resting on his bed doing a few shoulder exercises his doctor suggested he try. With every movement he made, Draco winced in pain. A glance at his alarm clock told him he'd been at it for an hour, and his shoulder was telling him it was quitting time. Slowly getting to his feet, Draco crossed the room to his desk and pulled out his pain medication. He swallowed the chalky white pill dry. Draco ran his good hand through his silky, blond hair and sighed. Harry was due back from class any minute and he wanted to have a word with the boy. It seemed like Harry had been avoiding him for weeks. It was time to end it. Harry entered the room a few minutes later.

Draco took a deep breath, "Harry?"

Harry looked up from what he was doing, "yeah, Dray?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

Harry noted the seriousness in Draco's voice and took that as a hint and sat down on the bed, "okay. Go ahead."

"Look, things have been, different since the whole infirmary debacle. You've become distant. You're not the same guy you were before that. I miss how things used to be. You're so much more withdrawn nowadays."

"I'm sorry, Dray," Harry sighed, "it's just been hard. I just feel so betrayed."

Draco nodded, "I understand that, but you have to trust me. I'm here for you."

"I know you are, and that means a lot. It just bugs me to have to see his face every day."

Draco thought for a moment. This could be his only chance, and it was perfect. Tomorrow was Friday, both one of them had a free day, and then there was the weekend. He had been dying to go home and see his mom and his little siblings for a while now. Maybe this was just what he and Harry needed, a weekend away from school. Yeah, it sounded perfect, a Hogwarts-free three days. Draco bit his lip and thought for a moment. He wasn't sure how Harry would take it.

"Harry, how would you feel about spending the next three days with me and my family? We could escape school and just relax. We wouldn't have to worry about anything."

Harry broke out into the first genuine smile Draco had seen in days, "that sounds wonderful. Won't your mom mind though?"

Draco shrugged, "no, not really. She's been dying to meet you since Sev mentioned you in October. And she always loves when I come home for the weekend."

"Okay, yeah, why not?"

"Good. I hope you don't mind little kids though. I've got three younger siblings and another on the way."

Harry shook his head, "no problem, I love kids. I used to work at a day care during the summer back home. When do we leave?"

Draco laughed, "as soon as we're done packing. I hope you don't mind driving though, I'd really rather not catch a ride with Sev and the doctor says I'm not allowed to drive while taking my pain meds. Have you driven in the States before?"

"Yeah, Dray, I have. My parents have a house in California. We visit every summer. I have a car there."

Draco nodded. The two boys started packing in a comfortable silence, only speaking to ask one another to pass something over. Harry was thrilled that Draco had thought to ask him to tag along. Draco had been right, he'd been a lot more distant recently, but only because now that they were both single it seemed as though his feelings for Draco had intensified. Harry didn't really mind having feelings for Draco, but he didn't like not knowing how Draco felt about him. Were they just friends, or could they be something more? Harry hoped that Draco would at least try to give them a chance to be something more.

Maybe this weekend was just what they needed. Harry made up his mind to tell Draco how he really felt that weekend. Hopefully he wouldn't freak Draco out too badly. In a rare show of nervousness, Harry clicked his tongue ring against his teeth. Draco noticed the small action, but chose not to comment on it. He felt it best to let Harry dwell on his own thoughts. Draco could see swells of different emotions wash over the raven-haired beauty's face. Yes, that was how Draco had come to see him. He had noticed Harry's crush early on, but had chosen to ignore it because of their respective partners. Now though, there was nothing to hold them back. They had a lot of potential as a couple, and Draco was going to get Harry to see that and get over his insecurities.

Within an hour the boys had packed their bags and were on their way. Draco said the drive was just over an hour. Draco popped in a mixed CD he had made especially for the times he made the drive home. The disc held all sorts of music, there was no rhyme or reason to the songs he had chosen to include on his road mix. Harry looked at him questioningly when an old O-Town song came on. Harry hadn't heard that song in years and it kind of startled him to hear it now, sitting right beside his secret love. Draco only smirked in return and started singing along with the song. After a minutes Harry couldn't help but laugh and join in. Draco turned the music down when the song ended.

"Harry, um, I was kind of wondering if…"

"What is it, Draco? Come on, spit it out."

Draco turned to look out the window and took a deep breath, "Iwaswonderingifyouwouldgooutwithme."

Harry looked startled by Draco's outburst, "what was that?"

Draco faced Harry, "I was wondering if you would go out with me. Like, be my boyfriend…"

Harry's jaw dropped before he snapped it shut, "Dray? Wha – why would you ask me that?"

"I like you Harry. I think I have for a while, but it just wasn't possible before. And I don't see a reason as to why it can't work out now. Please?"

"Draco, I don't know. I don't just want to be an experiment. I won't be used as a tool to help you answer the whole 'do I like boys?' question."

Draco looked taken aback, "Harry, you wouldn't just be a tool. I don't care if you're a boy, or a girl. I just go by what my heart says. And right now it's saying that it wants you. I know it may seem sudden, but I've wanted to ask you since that day in the infirmary. I've never snapped like that, and I knew that it was because you had a hold on my heart. Please, Harry, just give us a chance. I think we can be great together."

"But what about your mother? Won't she care that her son is dating a boy? Or Severus for that matter? Won't he care that the boy you got into a fight over is now your boyfriend?"

"They won't care. All they've ever wanted is for me to be happy. They don't care if it happens to be a boy that I'm with. They stand by me no matter what. And I'm pretty sure Sev is expecting for me to ask you out because he knows I don't usually lose my temper so easily."

Harry hesitated, the look on Draco's face told him that Draco was being completely sincere, but was he ready to jump back into the flames again. What if he got burned even worse than the last time? Draco was looking at him with hope-filled eyes waiting for his answer. Harry gnawed on his bottom lip and clicked his tongue ring. It was time he trust himself. He usually had good instincts. Harry glanced at Draco one more time and sighed. He knew from the moment he saw Draco he was hooked.

"Okay, Draco."

Draco's eyes lit up, "you'll be my boyfriend?"

Harry nodded, "yes, I'd love to. Just don't break my heart, Draco."

"I won't, Harry," Draco whispered, "I won't."