Losing Pain

Chapter Thirteen

Life was perfect for Harry. The moment they left Hogwarts for good, he started searching for a place to live. He knew he wasn't going back to the Dursley's ever again. Only days later, he found himself a nice apartment in Diagon Alley. Draco and him had decorated it to make it perfect for the raven haired teen. The kitchen was stocked with every type of food imaginable. The living room had a nice large fireplace, with leather chairs seated around it. A few pictures were hung up, including the one of Harry and the Slytherin house. The bedroom was a comfortable size and had a nice queen sized bed. Draco made sure the whole place was covered in greens, silvers, and blacks. The only thing that had anything close to being Gryffindor colors was the bathroom. The walls were painted a dark red, almost crimson, but you could tell the color was different compared to Gryffindor's red.

Draco's life was almost perfect. He was with Harry almost every day. Both Narcissa and Lucius had asked him why he didn't just move in with Harry, but Draco explained that it wasn't exactly time yet. He knew if he stayed there, he'd notice things. He was already noticing most of them. Every time he was over there, he'd first go and get something for them to eat and drink. Nothing was ever in a different spot, and half of the things weren't even opened yet. Of course the things that would spoil easily were replaced, but Draco wondered if Harry just threw them away and bought more to keep it looking full. Every time he went to the bathroom, he found a blade or two hidden away. But, what Draco noticed the most was how Harry was starting to look. The muscle he had built during his Quidditch years was completely gone. Dark bags were forming under his eyes like he had never slept. Even worse, any place of Harry's body that Draco touched, a bone was always felt. Things were getting bad, and Draco needed to do something.

"Harry, can we talk?" Draco looked at Harry, concerned. They had been sitting on one of the leather chairs, Harry sitting on Draco's lap, and were staring into the fire silently.

"What is it, Draco?" Harry asked, looking back at him. His face grew a little worried when he saw Draco's expression.

"I want you to tell me about a usual day for you." Draco told him.

"Well, I wake up around seven-thirty and go to the bathroom to get ready. Then, I usually go walk around outside at eight, looking in bookstores, buying new potion supplies, just doing my daily errands I guess. When I get back, it's usually one or two, so I busy myself by reading a new book I've bought or making a potion or two. Then you usually come around five. You know the rest." Harry kissed me on the lips like he was reminding me.

"So, when do you eat?" Draco asked. This time he was a little more cautious.

Harry stood up quickly and glared at Draco. "You're still on this, Draco? I've told you before that I eat. Every time you're here, you see me eat!" He exclaimed. "What do you want me to do? Should I shove food in my mouth every minute? Will you be happy then?"

Draco was surprised at the boy's outburst. They've always gotten in small arguments before, but they were minor little things. Never had Harry yelled at him so angrily before. Slowly he stood up and took both of Harry's hands. Then he rolled up his sleeves, revealing his cuts. Harry looked away like he was ashamed to look at Draco.

"Harry, I know you do this." Draco told him as he took Harry's chin to make him look at him. "And, it also looks like you're getting better. There aren't as many here as usual. I'm proud of you." Draco smiled at the boy and hugged him tightly. But, Harry was quick enough to push himself out of the blonde's grasp.

"How can you be proud?" Harry asked. "All I am is trouble for you. How could you really want someone who has so many problems?"

Draco shook his head. "The only problem you have is eating, and I want to help you with it, Harry."

"I told you already!" Harry exclaimed. "I eat! That isn't a problem of mine."

"Then what are your problems, Harry?" Draco asked.

Harry turned his head away again. He looked at the ground silently, not wanting to ever reveal them.

"Harry, I can't help you if you don't tell me." Draco took Harry's hands once again and put them to his face. Harry turned back to look at him the moment Draco started to kiss them. Then, he slowly pulled them away.

"I'm no good for you, Draco." Harry said then ran back into his room. He closed and locked the door before he fell against it, slid to the ground, and started to cry. Draco chased him, but was too late. The spells Harry had on the door were too powerful for even Draco to break. Draco sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall next to the door.

"Harry, you're perfect for me." Draco tried to talk to him. "You're everything I've ever wanted in a person. You're smart, funny, brave, loving, and handsome. I could never forget handsome."

Draco heard Harry do something like a laugh before he spoke back. "I guess my mask has been working then. I even have you fooled, Draco."

"Harry, what are you talking about?" Draco asked, now confused.

"Sure, you tell me that I'm perfect, but I'm far from the word. Disastrous would be more appropriate. My cutting? That's only part of what's wrong with me. You don't know the things that I've done. I'm a stupid Gryffindor who shouldn't be with such an honorable Slytherin like you. I'm worthless." Draco could hear Harry sniffle a little bit.

"Harry, I don't care what you do, what you did. I care for you, Harry. You're perfect to me, Harry, because I love you, not because I can't see under some mask." Draco put his hand to the door, palm touching the wood.

Harry immediately stopped crying and turned so he could face the door. He slowly stood up and put his hand on the doorknob, wondering if he should open it. "You...you love me?" He asked softly, but Draco heard him and smiled.

"I knew I liked you before, but, now, you've made me realize that I really love you. I really do. I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, love you, Harry James Potter."

Harry closed his eyes as he listened to Draco's words. Then, he let down his wards and opened the door, only to be quickly hugged tightly by Draco. Harry returned the hug, new tears of joy replacing the ones he had just shed.

"Harry, I'm never going to leave you. I'll die before I have to." Draco whispered in his Gryffindor's ear.

"Please don't. I need you now. I'll tell you everything; just repeat what you told me before." Harry looked into Draco's grey eyes. If you got close enough, you could notice that they weren't cold and empty. They held enough feeling and love to pass around a country.

"I love you." Draco told him before he kissed him like he had been starving.

A/N: Here's the thirteenth chapter, just like I promised! Hope you all like it, especially since you've been waiting a few days for it. As always, thanks for reading!