Disclaimer: For the sixth time, I only wish that I owned anything to do with Harry Potter. The characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: I've almost finished this story. There is only one chapter left after this one. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Draco was elated that Harry wanted to see him again but he was incredibly nervous about telling Ron that he didn't want to see him anymore. He mentally rehearsed a simplistic and honest speech throughout his entire walk home. He planned to go to Ron's just as soon as he left the hospital. It had to be done before he saw Harry again. And he so desperately wanted to see Harry again. As soon as possible.
He was so distracted with thoughts of Harry that he didn't notice Ron standing outside his flat door until he heard the resonant voice.
"I tried to call and you didn't answer. Where've you been so early in the morning." Ron inquired tensely, startling Draco so much, that he jumped and accidentally threw his keys across the hallway.
Oh, fucking hell! Draco screamed inside his mind. He didn't exactly plan to talk to Ron like this. He wasn't even ready. "Running," came out of Draco's mouth before he could think about it. It sounded more like a question to his own ears and Ron caught on instantly.
"In yesterday's clothes…you're running in designer jeans and ankle boots now?" Ron questioned frigidly.
Draco bent down and picked up his keys before unlocking the flat. "We should talk inside."
After they were both inside, Draco spoke again, avoiding Ron's glaring expression. "I was worried about Harry last night. I went to see him."
"And you're just coming home?"
"Yes."
Ron shook his head and barked out a fake laugh. "You're sleeping with him." It wasn't a question, more of a statement, but Draco answered anyway.
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"Since last night."
"Are you going to try to tell me that it was just a one time thing and it will never happen again?" Ron questioned bitterly, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
"No, I'm not. But I am sorry." Draco replied, feeling a single tear run down his cheek.
As angry as he was, Ron actually looked disappointed at Draco's words. Momentarily, Draco realized that Ron wasn't expecting Draco to end things. Did he seriously still want to be with Draco after what he'd done? Ron had to hear everything.
He broke the news to Ron about his feelings for Harry as gently as he could. He could have announced it in the Daily Prophet and it would have had the same effect. His soothing words of endearment and heart felt apology did nothing for Ron. Draco knew they wouldn't ease the pain and betrayal that Ron rightly felt but he'd offered them anyway. He didn't know what else to do.
"So, you're leaving me for him?" Ron asked coldly but his eyes were burning a hole into Draco's carpet as he stared down.
"I don't know." Draco replied and watched as Ron's head snapped up.
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"Harry and I…we haven't talked about anything yet." Draco said quickly turning from Ron's stare. "I just know that you and I shouldn't be together. I've treated you horribly Ron and I'm so sorry." Draco clasped his hands together and covered his face.
"What if he doesn't even want you? What if he went after you just to spite me?!"
"Do you really think that's true?" Draco whined. Now was not the time to feel bad for himself but Ron's words really stung. They couldn't possibly be true. Please say its not true.
"No. But would you still break up with me?"
"Ron, I'm so sorry…I don't know what else to say-"
"You're sorry! You cheat on me with my best friend and then don't even pretend to give me the fucking satisfaction of breaking up with you!" Ron yelled, flailing his arms about like an injured insect.
"Ron-"
"Go to hell, both of you!" Ron picked up a vase from the coffee table and threw it against Draco's far wall before storming out of the flat.
Draco went straight to Harry's flat upon leaving the hospital that evening. He'd sat and thought about Ron's reaction until he was ill. He needed to see Harry. He needed to feel happy again.
He now felt like he had been living in a dim room all of his life. And when he'd finally given himself to Harry, everything became brighter and clear. It was as if Harry had changed the light bulb in Draco's life.
He waited patiently for Harry to answer the door and when it finally swung open, his troubles vanished upon seeing Harry's smiling face.
"I was so worried that you'd changed your mind. That you wouldn't come." Harry said as he stepped aside, letting Draco pass into the flat.
"I wasn't going to change my mind. I wanted to see you again."
"Good." Harry's smile was one of relief. "I've been thinking about you all day. And I thought that if we're going to keep…I want to talk to Ron." Harry finished a bit anxiously.
"I talked to Ron this morning." Draco said cautiously.
"And?" Harry prodded unwearyingly.
"I've broken up with him."
"Seriously?" Harry breathed. He sounded winded. Draco wasn't sure whether that was good sign or not. He was so confident that Harry wanted more than just a couple of wild nights but the look on his face was unreadable. Draco awaited his reaction but it didn't come.
"I told him about you. Is that alright? But that doesn't mean that you and I have to date or anything. I mean, you obviously didn't think I was going to-" Draco took a deep breath. "I don't know what else to say here."
"You broke up with him for me? You want to court me?" Harry beamed.
"Well yes…and I cannot believe you just used the word court." Draco smiled.
Harry reached for him and Draco stepped into his embrace, enveloping himself in glorious warmth. "I'd be lying if I said that didn't make me exceedingly happy." Harry murmured and then kissed Draco's forehead.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Harry kissed him softly on the lips and hugged him closer. "Draco Malfoy, will you be my boyfriend?" Harry asked teasingly. Draco laughed heartily.
"Are we still in primary school?"
"You'd think so, wouldn't you? But you technically started the dating conversation." Harry laughed.
"I did, didn't I." Harry didn't respond and leaned down, kissing Draco soundly.
They only made it as far as the couch. After stripping each other of their clothing, they fell heavily onto the soft cushions and Harry moaned as his erection was swathed in Draco's mouth. Harry was delicious and Draco devoured him as he stretched his hand to prepare himself.
Draco stopped just short of allowing Harry release and climbed onto his lap. He lowered himself smoothly onto Harry's erection, clutched his shoulders, and began a rapid pace. Harry's hold around his thighs and then waist added to his fluidity and they once again reached the pinnacle of satisfaction together. Harry's triumphant cry could be heard over Draco's own as they both trembled and rode out their own orgasm.
They skipped out on work and any other form of responsibility the next day and spent it together. They went for their morning run before showering together, which led to several hours in bed. It was bliss. Draco had never felt so alive and exultant.
"Are you hungry?" Draco questioned as he utilized his fingers to rub geometrical shapes on Harry's chest. Harry's body shook with soft laughter, causing Draco's head to bounce where it was perched on Harry's stomach.
"I'm guessing that you are." Harry mused.
"We did skip breakfast and it's well past noon." Draco said timidly.
"Is it? I hadn't noticed." Harry responded, running a had gently through Draco's hair twisting the blond strands in his fingers.
"Yeah, its almost two."
"Interesting. We may have set some kind of record this morning."
Draco grinned and sat up. He tugged on Harry's shoulders, trying to force him up.
"Harry. I'm starving."
"Okay." Harry chuckled and climbed off the bed pulling Draco behind him. "You can cook something for us."
Draco huffed in mock irritation as they dressed and made their way down the hallway. "Have you got any pasta?"
"Of course." Harry grinned as they entered the kitchen. "I even have fresh garlic for the sauce."
"Be still my heart, Harry." Draco busied himself with locating ingredients.
Harry propelled himself onto the counter top and watched as Draco prepared their meal. Draco stole glances at Harry occasionally and found him staring back, every time. Draco felt his pulse skyrocket with every smile and every wink from Harry.
"Stop staring at me." Draco demanded as his cheeks reddened.
"I like to watch you cook." Harry grinned. "Actually, I like to watch you do everything. Especially shower. I love the way you-"
"Shut up." Draco threw a dishtowel in Harry's direction and his blush deepened.
"Okay. What do you want to do this afternoon?"
"Shopping?" Draco suggested as he efficiently finished chopping his vegetables and tossed them into a saucepan.
"I do hope that was a joke." Harry raised one eyebrow in question.
"No, it wasn't but we don't have to. It was just an idea." He knew that Harry despised shopping. He'd never accompany Draco on a shopping trip but that didn't matter. Differences in interests and personality have always been part of Harry's appeal to Draco.
"If you really want to, then-" Harry began but Draco cut him off instantly. "Harry, no. I was kidding." Draco laughed at Harry's relieved expression and moved around the stove to stand in front of him. He wrapped his arms around Harry's middle and pecked him on the lips. "Lets go and see a muggle film or something."
"Sounds good." Harry grinned and leaned forward for another kiss, this one longer, and maneuvered his legs so he could enfold them around Draco's hips.
Draco moaned into the kiss as Harry pulled him closer.
"I'm trying to cook." Draco complained as Harry's hands began to travel the length of Draco's chest, arousing them both further.
"We can eat later." Harry whispered.
Draco gathered every bit of self control he possessed and looked at Harry with the most pitiful expression he could muster.
Harry's resolve to ditch lunch for more enjoyably activities was obviously broken Draco's expression. "Alright. We'll eat now."
"Good. But no worries, Harry." Draco grinned and cupped Harry's erection. "I promise to have this for dessert."
The buzzer rang and Draco hopped up quickly and practically ran to the door. He knew it was Harry and he couldn't wait to see him. For the past week, it had become difficult to make it through the day at the hospital without Harry. Draco was enthralled with him and longed to be together every moment of every day.
When he opened the door, his smile faded instantaneously. He took one look at Harry's eye and felt like he could projectile vomit.
"My god Harry! What happened?"
"Ron punched me." Harry stated as if it was nothing and he took a seat on Draco's sofa, propping his feet on the coffee table. Draco stared in shock for a few moments before Harry spoke.
"What?" Harry threw one of his hands up in the air in irritation.
"Do you want me to heal it?" Draco sat beside him and lightly rubbed Harry's knee.
"No."
"Why?" Draco croaked. He wasn't sure he really wanted the answer. Things were getting bad now that everyone knew what had happened between the three of them. The night before, he and Harry were invited to Hermione and Charlie's for dinner. Ginny happened to stop by unannounced and there was a slight altercation. She was angry, as Draco knew she would be.
Draco had been trying his best to ignore it all and concentrate only on Harry. He'd just lost that battle. It was unfair, all of it.
Harry just shrugged as his answer. He was going to be in a bad mood tonight, Draco could just tell. "Did you hit him back?" He hadn't meant to ask that, even though he'd been thinking it. It just sort of slipped out.
"Not at first. I tried to turn away but he hit me again."
Draco allowed one finger to trace the bruising under Harry's left eye. It looked like it hurt and Draco wanted to heal it so bad that he could hardly stand it. "What'd you do then?"
Harry sighed deeply and adjusted his position on the couch avoiding Draco's question.
"Harry?"
"Why do you want to know so bad?"
"I just do."
"I broke his nose," he said with shame and Draco gasped.
"This is ridiculous!" Draco screamed. He left Harry's side and began to pace his living room.
"I know." Harry hung his head and Draco felt awful for him. Harry felt culpable even though Ron began the fight. Harry couldn't even tolerate arguing with Ron, Hermione had always told Draco that.
This wasn't going to work. They both wanted it to but he wasn't going to impair Harry's life. He'd already alienated two of Harry's closest friends. He was inflicting havoc on everything that Harry cherished. What was next?
"This isn't going to happen, is it?" Draco forced out and held onto his tears. "You and me."
"Of course it is. What are you talking about?"
"I don't think that we should do this, Harry. We've hurt Ron and Ginny won't speak to you. It's a disaster!" Draco said and the echo of his own words cut him as deep as a knife.
Harry's eyes widened dramatically and he rushed toward Draco, grabbing his Draco's hand in his own.
"Don't say that!" Harry exclaimed. "It's been killing me that you were with him. But now we have our chance." Harry continued pleadingly. "Nothing has ever felt as right as us together"
"But how can it really be right if it ruins your relationship with Ron?"
"Let me worry about Ron…he and I will work it out eventually."
"Harry, I think it might be irreparable if we don't stop this now." He loved Harry too much to cause him as much pain as he would surely endure if he lost Ron entirely. How could he have done this to them? If only he could take back the night of Hermione's wedding and have a fresh start. In hindsight, he would summon the courage to just take off after Harry to Durmstrang and attack him in the halls between classes.
"Don't panic on me now Draco. I know that's what you do but you can't…not about this."
Draco nodded his head and squeezed Harry's hand.
"You're the most important person in my life." Harry said, emotion evident in his voice. Draco was elated to hear it. He'd forever longed to hear those words from Harry. He desired it so much that he was quickly losing his determination to end things.
"But-"
"Do you want to be with me?"
"More than anything, Harry, but-"
"Then that's all that matters." Harry's tone sounded so final that it prevented further objections.
Draco paced his living room nervously. Ron had just called and said that he was on his way over because he needed to talk. Draco couldn't fathom what Ron wanted to talk to him about. He was quite obviously still furious, if the way he'd treated Harry the day before was any indication.
"Hi," was all Draco said for he too uneasy to say anything more.
"Hey," Ron replied and glanced down the hallway.
"Do you want to come inside or…"
Ron smiled, actually smiled and Draco was taken aback. Before Draco could say anything Ron once again glanced down the hallway and practically leaped inside.
Suddenly, Draco wasn't holding himself up anymore. In a flash, Ron grabbed Draco with one arm around his waist and the other on the back of his neck. He felt like he was suffocating, especially when Ron's lips crashed down upon his own. It was wrong, all wrong. Ron exerted an inordinate amount of pressure to continue the kiss despite Draco's objections. He tangled his hands into Ron's hair and pulled, trying to end the kiss by any means necessary. He secretly hoped he could pull hard enough to tear out Ron's hair.
Draco was about to start kicking when he heard someone clear their throat. Ron tore his mouth away from Draco's and they turned to see Harry standing in the entry to his flat looking utterly flabbergasted.
"Ron said earlier today that you two were getting back together. I didn't believe him." Harry stated resentfully. Ron's grip around his body tightened and Draco couldn't move. Ron was too strong.
"We're not, Harry-" Draco began but Harry cut him off.
"Sure looks like it to me. I guess I'm out, huh?" Harry said calmly, sitting down the bag he was carrying on the closest chair.
"Yeah, looks like it." Ron said gloatingly before bellowing laughter.
"I'm not usually such a fool." Harry turned and retreated out of the flat.
"Don't go Harry! Get off of me Ron!" Draco screamed and broke free when Ron lessened his hold. He chased after Harry, catching him in the stairwell.
"Wait. We've got to talk." Draco said urgently.
"This isn't a game. You don't get to bounce back and forth between us, trying to figure out who you like more." Harry stated, so evenly and coldly that it chilled Draco to the bone.
"I'm not playing a game, you don't understand what you've seen." Draco started to explain and reached for Harry.
"I understand perfectly." Harry dodged Draco and took off down the stairs.
Draco walked back to his flat slowly thinking a hundred hateful things that he wanted to say to Ron.
Ron popped out into the corridor. "Aw, did he leave you?"
"Go home Ron." Draco said miserably. He really couldn't find the strength to fight with Ron no matter how much he wanted to do so.
"I think I will." Ron's smile was gigantic and Draco wanted to break his nose again.
"You knew he was coming up, didn't you? You did that on purpose?" Draco inquired, remembering what Harry had said about a reconciliation.
"Absolutely. He wrecked my relationship, now I've demolished his." And with that Ron walked away.