"DRACO!"

Draco awoke with a start and shot up in bed—no easy feat with Harry's body wrapped about him, octopus-like. But the blonde knew that voice, knew it better than he knew his own. He had been awakened by it far too many times in his life. The sound of it sent pure terror stabbing through him. "Father!"

Lucius Malfoy stood beside the bed, regarding the two boys with fury in his eyes. "I saw the shoes by the door. I told myself there had to be a reasonable explanation, that my son would never bring someone back to the house."

Draco was still having difficulty wrapping his mind around the fact that his father was even there. "You….you're supposed to be in Austria until next Wednesday-"

"So that makes it okay for you to bring some boy back here to your bed?!"

Harry was stirring now, blinking awake. Draco willed him back asleep. If Lucius recognized the Gryffindor….God. The thought sent a chill down his spine. "Father, I can explain—"

"I should have known I was wrong. After all, you're nothing but a cheap whore, aren't you?"

Draco bristled; without thinking, he snapped back "you would know, wouldn't you?"

Lucius stared at his son, shocked. Draco immediately regretted the words. He was in for it now, oh God, was he in for it. "You little…" The words were barely more than air, soft and dangerous.

Harry sat up, regarding Draco with sleepy eyes. God, he looked adorable. Draco wanted to pull him back down, tug the covers up over their heads, and spend the whole day kissing him senseless. Instead, he had this to deal with. "Draco?" Harry mumbled. He was clearly still not fully awake. Then those green eyes saw Lucius, and suddenly he was much more alert. "Malfoy?"

It didn't seem as though Lucius realized who Harry was. Draco silently thanked any God who was listening. "Whoever you are, get out of my son's bed right this instant."

Harry turned to Draco, eyes wide, mouth open. Draco looked back, eyes pleading, but neither had a chance to say a word. Lucius had gotten tired of being ignored. With a growl, he grabbed Harry's shoulder and tossed him out of bed and out of the way. Draco cowered. His father's wrath was a terrible thing at the best of times. But this, in bed? This brought back a whole set of memories that he thought he had buried down deep. He could taste the bile rising in his throat. "Father, please—"

"Shut. UP." And then Lucius backhanded Draco across the face. Draco went slamming against the wall, stunned. But Lucius wasn't done, clambering onto the bed and grabbing Draco by the shoulders, shaking him.

"Bring some random boy into my house? MY HOUSE?" He smacked Draco again. "You filthy little slut!"

Draco's face burned, and not just from the slaps. He had heard these words before, and worse. But knowing Harry was here, seeing his father treat him this way, calling him these names, that Harry would know him for the worthless slut he was…..that hurt.

Then, a pillow slammed against the back of Lucius' head hard enough to send him falling forwards into Draco. "Stop it!" Harry yelled. "Stop it!"

Lucius looked surprised at the action, though he still paid no attention to Harry. He merely smirked mockingly at his son. "Got a feisty one here." He took Draco's chin in his hand, gripping tightly. "Think he cares about you? He doesn't. No one does. You're just a worthless whore."

Draco's eyes swam with the first hot pinpricks of tears. He blinked them back, averting his gaze. He got another slap for his troubles.

"Don't you turn away from me!"

Thunk. Lucius' eyes seemed to roll back in his head and then he slumped forward, collapsing onto the bed. Draco looked up, baffled, and saw Harry standing there holding a heavy brass paperweight that he had clearly grabbed off of Draco's desk. He had clocked Lucius over the head and knocked him out. Holy shit.

Draco stared. "….Harry…"

Harry tossed the paperweight aside; it landed on the floor with a heavy thud. "We need to get out of here."

Draco was too shell-shocked to move. Luckily, Harry could see that. Going to his knees, he began sorting through their clothing and helping Draco dress. He quickly followed suit, then took Draco by the hand. "Come on."

Draco could do no more than nod dumbly and stare at his father's unconscious form as he allowed Harry to tug him out the door and down the stairs. The brunette headed into the room that held the family portrait and the huge fireplace.

"Floo powder," Harry said. "Where is it?"

Somehow, Draco managed to shake off his stupor enough to move to a small urn on the mantel. Harry followed and, removing the lid, took a pinch.

"Okay," he said, and tugged Draco into the fireplace with him. "Arms around my waist, and hang on tight."

Draco didn't have to be told twice. If there was anything he wanted at this moment, it was the comfort of Harry's body close to his. Wrapping his arms around Harry, he buried his face in curve of the boy's throat, deeply inhaling that wonderful scent he had come to love since yesterday. He was vaguely aware of Harry saying an address, of the Floo Powder being tossed, and then they were travelling.

It was mere seconds before they reached their destination: Sirius Black's house, the location of the Order of the Phoenix. Not that Draco knew any of this. He had no idea where they were, and it honestly didn't matter, so long as they were out of his house. Still he remained as he was, clinging to Harry.

"Hey." Harry gently stroked Draco's hair. He felt the way that the blonde was trembling. "Draco….Draco, it's okay. I've got you. You're safe now."

Honestly, Harry himself was extremely unsettled. What he had just seen had terrified him. All of his suspicions had been true, and worse. Seeing all of that….he felt physically ill at the way Lucius had treated his son.

Harry pulled away, heart aching at the noise of distress Draco made. But he only withdrew far enough so that he could look Draco in the eye. What he saw broke his heart. Tears were streaming from those beautiful eyes. "Hey." He cupped Draco's face in his hands, gently brushing the tears away with his thumbs, and kissed the boy's forehead. "You're okay. I've got you." All Harry wanted to do was take Draco to his room and put him to bed, hold him close until he stopped crying. But he could hear the house stirring, hear the sound of people in the kitchen, and he knew they had to make their presence known. "Hey. Let's go let everyone know we've arrived, yeah? Then we can go to my room."

Draco's eyes never left Harry's. He took a deep, shuddering breath. Finally, he nodded. "Okay."

The Gryffindor spared a moment to give Draco a final kiss, stroking his cheek. "It'll be okay," he said softly. Draco nodded again. As they turned to the door, Draco's hand found Harry's, fumbling as he linked their fingers. Harry had to smile, raising it to his lips to kiss the back of it.

The instant they entered the kitchen, all eyes were on them. "Harry!" Sirius was at Harry's side in an instant, yanking the boy into his arms. "We were so worried about you!" Harry regarded him with puzzled surprise. "You didn't return to Hogwarts last night. McGonagall sent us an owl."

…oh. OH. Harry hadn't even thought of it. "…I was…..otherwise occupied." Harry couldn't help glancing at Draco. The blonde snorted softly at Harry's choice of words. Harry smiled to hear it, hope stirring within him. Maybe Draco would be okay.

Sirius had tracked Harry's gaze and was looking between the two boys with suspicion. "….but you're alright?"

"Yes," Harry confirmed, taking Draco's hand again. "Yes, we're fine."

Sirius noted the use of "we", and nodded. "Okay. We'll send an owl to McGonagall." Remus had come up behind Sirius, wrapping an arm around the shorter man's shoulders. Sirius smiled up at him. "Think you could do that, love?"

Draco's brows rose ever so slightly at the term of endearment; even more so when Remus' lips brushed Sirius' forehead in a gentle kiss. "Of course."

Sirius nodded in satisfaction. "It's settled, then." He looked to the boys. "You two go and get some rest." He could clearly see that there was more to the story than they were letting on, but that there was a reason Harry wasn't sharing it right now. Harry gave him a grateful look and, giving Draco's hand a squeeze, led him from the kitchen.

The men watched the two boys go; then, Sirius turned to Remus with raised brows. "Well," he said. "This is certainly an interesting development."

Remus snorted. "Right. You didn't see the two of them at school."

Sirius' brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"They were at each other constantly. It was obvious that they were going to fuck eventually."

"REMUS!" Sirius smacked his husband with a rolled up newspaper. "Do NOT talk that way about my godson!"

Remus merely laughed. "What, did I insult your delicate sensibilities?" But he didn't wait for an answer, pressing on. "Because you didn't seem so sensitive last night…" His tone had grown sultry. Sirius didn't miss the change.

"No, no, not at all," he backpedaled. "Just…keep your dirty words for me. No one else."

"Okay," Remus chuckled. "Just you."

"Good." Sirius leaned in for a kiss, but immediately stopped with a groan. "Aw, fuck."

"What?"

"With kids in the house, we're gonna have to tamp down the sex, aren't with?"

Remus laughed. "Guess so. Or you'll just have to learn to keep your filthy mouth shut."

"Goddammit."


Harry managed to get Draco to his room with no further troubles. The blonde now sat on his bed, silent. Harry was beginning to get a little worried. But before he could say anything, ask if Draco was okay, the boy looked up at him.

"So….your godfather's a poof?"

Harry just stared. Of all the things he had expected to come out of Draco's mouth, that was definitely not one. Not only that, up until this point, as far as Draco knew, Sirius wanted to kill Harry, not take care of him. Harry burst into laughter. "THAT'S what you focus on? Not the fact that Sirius Black is in hiding here, not that he's not out to kill me, but that he's gay?"

A small smile, the barest twitch of the lips. "You know me. I focus on the important things."

But there was still sadness on Draco's face, in his eyes, and Harry could tell he was going to break at any moment. He sank to the bed beside Draco and pulled the blonde into his arms. Sure enough, Draco immediately began silently weeping. Harry didn't say a word, simply held Draco close and stroked his back, his hair, letting Draco know through silent touches that he was here.

But it wasn't enough. Finally, Harry lay down and pulled Draco close, tugging his quilt over the two of them. He didn't try to get Draco to explain anything. He knew that sometimes, it was better to just cry it out, to let all that emotion flow forth. So he simply held Draco, all the while stroking his hair, kissing him, murmuring soothing words, even after Draco had fallen asleep.

Harry couldn't sleep; his mind was too occupied with all that had happened that morning. The way that Lucius had hit Draco….if Harry hadn't been there to stop him….why, he couldn't bear to imagine what might have happened. And the way that Draco had reacted? Harry had never seen Draco like that, so truly and utterly scared.

It wasn't just the abuse, either; it was the words Lucius has used. He had called Draco a whore…a slut. And Draco hadn't contested it. This wouldn't have struck Harry as so odd (after all, it could have just been a way to appease Lucius by not arguing), but Harry doubted it. After all that Draco had told him last night, he would wager his life that Draco took those insults at face value. Draco thought he was worthless. A worthless slut, just like his father said.

Harry's heart ached as he looked down at Draco's face, drawn with pain even in sleep. He kissed the troubled brow, trying to soothe the worries from it. "You're not worthless," he whispered. "You're beautiful. And somehow I'm going to make you realize that."

No matter how long it took.


Harry never did manage to truly sleep. He dozed a little, but got no real nap; instead he spent his afternoon watching over Draco. The Slytherin's sleep was restless, and Harry soothed away more than one nightmare with kisses and soft caresses.

It was early afternoon when Draco finally awoke. He looked utterly shocked to see that Harry was still there, which broke the Gryffindor's heart that much more. Yes, Draco really did think he was worthless.

Somehow, Harry managed a smile, stroking Draco's cheek. "Hello."

"Hello." Draco shifted, glancing around him. He seemed much more lucid than he had been that morning. It was to be expected. One couldn't go through that sort of ordeal and immediately come through it clear-headed. No, the sleep had obviously done some good. "So…is this Black's house?"

"Sirius," Harry corrected. He wanted Draco and Sirius to be comfortable around each other. Before yesterday, he would have said that were impossible, but before yesterday he would have thought it were impossible for him to have feelings for Draco Malfoy.

Feelings?

He squashed the thoughts down. There were more important things to think about right now. He could mull over semantics later.

"Yes," he answered. "It's his house. You're safe here."

At that, Draco laughed derisively and sat up, brushing Harry's arms aside. "Safe? As long as my father's out there, I'm not 'safe' anywhere."

"So we'll take care of him."

Draco stared at Harry in disbelief. "You…." But Harry wasn't laughing. "…..you're serious. You want to take on my father."

"After what I saw him doing to you?"

"That was nothing." But Draco was no longer looking at Harry.

"Are you kidding me? Draco, the way he was hitting you—"

"—is nothing new!" Draco snapped. "Why do you suddenly care now? Because we danced a little bit? We fucked? What's changed, Harry? How does one day suddenly make you give a damn that my father kicks the shit out of me?"

Harry felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. "Okay, I deserve that, I know. I'm sorry. I've been prejudiced all these years and I never stopped to think that you might have reasons for acting the way you do."

"You think?" Draco's voice was dripping sarcasm. Harry had to bite back a retort. It was difficult; his nature still saw Draco as someone to spar with, despite all the changes of the last twenty-four hours.

"I'm sorry. All I can say is I'm sorry. But I don't want you thinking badly of yourself, either."

Those grey eyes snapped their attention to Harry, surprise evident. He stared back, unflinching. "You're not as hard to read as you'd like to think you are. I can tell, Draco. You believe all that shit your dad said about you. I don't know why, but you do." Draco looked away again. "Draco—" Harry reached out but Draco flinched at the touch. Harry's heart shattered into a million pieces.

"….so….you're back to not letting me touch you." His tone was dull. Draco looked up at him, eyes wild, almost pleading.

"Harry, its not-"

"Not what I think?" Harry finished. "Then what is it?" But Draco only stared at him, desperation in those beautiful eyes, and Harry's mind flew through the events of the past twenty-four hours, struggling to piece together the puzzle.

Draco. The way his breath caught as Harry tried to touch him when they first began to dance, how he stepped away, told Harry no. How when they danced together later that night, Harry still had to push for even the tiniest contact. For every one step forward, Draco took two back. He would lean into Harry's leg, but shy away from his hand. Nothing more than the most minimal connection.

But when they were alone together…

It was as if Draco unfurled, like a flower. He was so open and free, like all the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. His hands roamed everywhere, and he trusted Harry implicitly. He even asked Harry to make love to him.

Make love to me.

The words rang in Harry's ears. It was still hard to believe. It had been one of the most beautiful nights of his life.

But this morning….

The Draco he saw this morning was a complete contrast. When Lucius appeared, Draco had curled in upon himself, as though he were trying to appear as small as possible, much the way an animal does when trying to hide from a predator. Harry could still see Draco, cowering on the bed as his father stalked towards him—

Harry's eyes widened in horror. He looked to Draco, who was resolutely avoiding his gaze. "….Draco….did your dad—" but he couldn't get the words out, couldn't make himself ask the question that he really didn't want an answer to. But he didn't have to ask. Draco knew what he meant.

"A few times," Draco answered quietly. "The first time, he was drunk. Not so much as to not know what he was doing. Mother wasn't home, and he was…well…feeling restless. Woke up and he was on top of me. Couldn't walk too well for a few days."

"…Draco…" Harry's voice was tiny, barely audible. Draco either didn't hear him or simply chose not to acknowledge him. Probably the latter. It was as though if he didn't get all of this out in the open now, it would stay locked up forever, so it all came pouring out, every dark, terrible thing he had kept hidden all these years.

"Mom noticed, of course. Wanted to know what was wrong. I didn't tell her. I couldn't tell her. Still, he hit me about for being "obvious". Then he just kept coming back. Think he realized women weren't really his type."

"But you always talk about him at school." Harry couldn't help bringing it up, he had to ask. Draco shrugged uncomfortably.

"I guess….talking about him so much….saying "my father said this" or "I'm telling father" over and over again, just constantly bringing him up….it makes it sort of feel like I actually have a relationship with him. Well," and he laughed, but it was a bitter laugh, one with no real mirth in it. "One that's not royally fucked-up."

Harry reached for Draco's hand but then stopped. "…is this why you don't like being touched?" It all made so much sense now.

Draco was silent; his hand twitched where it lay resting on his knee. "Yes," he answered at last. "The only person who ever really touched me was him, and it wasn't a good sort of touch."

The two were quiet. Harry ached, wanting to hold Draco, to offer comfort, but with the way things were right now, it seemed as if the best way to do so would be by not touching the boy at all.

Then Draco spoke up, voice shattering the silence of the room. "But," and reaching out, he took Harry's hand in his, "I'm pretty positive I like it when it's with you."

Harry stared at Draco, shocked. The blonde smiled shyly back at him. A huge smile broke across Harry's face and he pulled Draco to him with such force that the Slytherin tumbled into Harry's lap with a laugh. Harry's only response was to kiss Draco fiercely. "You're wonderful," he murmured against Draco's mouth.

Draco blushed. "Shove off, Potter," he mumbled, and pushed at Harry's chest, but he couldn't escape from the brunette's arms.

"No. You are. And I'm going to make you see it, cuz you're not escaping from me now."

That got Draco's attention and he stopped struggling. "Oh?" He grinned at Harry. "Property of Harry J. Potter, is that right?"

Harry nodded. "Damn straight."

"Hmm…" Draco hummed thoughtfully, leaning in to steal a kiss. "….doesn't sound too bad."

"Good," Harry murmured in between kisses. "Cuz you're stuck with me."

Draco laughed. "Oh I am, am I?"

"Yes….you are."

At this point, Draco was fully seated in Harry's lap. Now he maneuvered Harry back onto the pillows, following him down as they kissed. "Well, I think I can live with that."

They kissed for several long minutes. Harry was absolutely delighted that Draco was not just letting himself be touched, but that (from what he had said) it seemed as if he never intended to break off that contact again. Still, there was one final matter to settle. "So what are we going to do about your father, then?"

Draco stiffened. "My father."

"Yeah. Have to keep you safe." Harry ran his fingers through Draco's hair slowly, gently, wanting to provide a soothing touch. It seemed to work, for Draco relaxed.

"My mother, too."

Harry's ears perked up at that. "Your mother?" He never heard Draco mention his mother.

"Yes. She's not safe there. He doesn't hurt her outright, but if I'm not there for him to take his anger out on, he might."

Well THAT was no good. "Any ideas what we should do?"

Draco sighed and sat back on his heels, still kneeling above Harry, straddling his hips. "Well, you could have Weasley's father get some of his men together and raid my house like in second year. If you think you can do it right this time, last time you mucked it up royally."

Harry's eyes widened. "….what?" he asked weakly.

Draco raised a brow. "You and Ron….the Polyjuice potion….ring any bells? Seriously, Harry, you didn't honestly think I believed that was Crabbe and Goyle, did you? Do give me a bit of credit."

"You….but we…."

Draco grinned; clearly he was taking great delight in the shock he had just provided Harry with. "Why do you think I goaded you so much? All the insults I heaped on the Weasleys, on Granger. And on you! Good Lord, the comments I made about you alone!" Hands on his hips, Draco put on his best sneer and began spitting forth sarcastic comments. "Saint Potter, the Mudblood's friend." Then the cruel veneer faded and the pleasant person Harry had come to know these past twenty-four hours reappeared, grinning down at the Gryffindor. "I was convincing, wasn't I?"

Harry couldn't answer, couldn't say a word; he simply stared, dumbfounded. All these years, they thought they had tricked Draco, but no, he had known it was them all along. "You…." Then his head cleared. "But you told us about the secret chamber in your house where your dad keeps his…." Realization dawned. "…..oh."

Draco looked proud. "Yeah. I thought that bit was exceedingly clever. Tell Weasley and get his dad to raid our place, get my father locked up and then my mom and I would be free of him. But no, stupid bastard somehow managed to look in all the wrong places and didn't find anything particularly nasty. End result: father's still at home and mother and I are still being put through hell."

Harry felt rather as if he should apologize, but he was still too completely overwhelmed by the realization that somehow, Draco had known that it was he and Ron. He had seen through the charade and put on one of his own, and he had fooled them completely. "You…" Draco looked at him expectantly. "….you are a devious little shit, d'you know that?"

Draco laughed. "I've been told." Grinning, Harry yanked Draco down into his arms, rolling him over and pinning him to the bed. The blonde smiled up at him. "Planning to do something about it?"

"Mm…" Harry trailed a fingertip along Draco's jawline. "….a good many things. But first, let's go see Sirius and Remus."

The blonde frowned. "What in blazes for?" Clearly he saw no need to leave the bed, and honestly, Harry couldn't blame him. At this precise moment, he didn't feel much like leaving, either. But Draco's safety came first.

"So we can tell them where to have the Ministry search." Draco's mouth formed a silent 'o' of understanding. "The sooner we do, the sooner your father is put away. Then you and your mom will be safe."

Draco nodded at last. "Yeah. Okay." He smiled up at Harry. "Kiss me, first?"

Harry laughed. "No way am I going to refuse that request."

And kiss him he did.


Dinner that evening was an interesting affair. No one was entirely certain how to act around one another. As far as Sirius had always been concerned, Draco was the enemy, the boy who made Harry's life a living hell. Now the two of them were sitting close enough that their thighs brushed, and they had only stopped holding hands in order to eat. It was all incredibly bewildering.

Remus took it more in stride, but then again, he had experience with kids during his time as a teacher. Harry might be Sirius' godson, but that didn't mean Sirius knew a thing about growing boys. Or girls. Or….oh bloody hell, how do I handle this?

"So," Sirius' voice was louder than it probably ought to have been, startling everyone at the table. Remus raised a brow at him; he glowered and turned his attention back to the boys. "You're opening the ball again?"

Harry nodded, pulling a face. "Unfortunately. But Draco taught me to dance." He glanced at the Slytherin, and the look they exchanged was so warm that Sirius immediately knew that there was no way he could ever discourage whatever this thing was that was growing between them.

"Is that so?"

Draco's grey eyes flicked to Sirius, wary, but he detected only honest friendliness in the query. "Well, McGonagall made him," Draco replied, giving Harry a teasing prod.

"No, she made me ask SOMEONE. I chose you."

Draco looked taken aback. "…..really?"

"…I didn't tell you that?"

The Slytherin shook his head, looking stunned. "No. You only said she made you ask me."

"…..oh." Harry was flushing now. "Yeah. She told me she would really like it if I asked you but she gave me a list of other people I could ask."

Draco was silent for a moment. It was clear that he had multiple questions he wanted to ask and didn't know where to begin. "…..how many did you ask before me?"

"….none."

The room fell deathly quiet. Finally Harry dared to look up at Draco. Those grey eyes were wide; a smile was spreading across that lovely face, setting it aglow. He opened his mouth to speak…

The fire flamed up and Narcissa Malfoy appeared, closely followed by Tonks. Draco shot out of his chair so fast that it toppled over behind him with a crash. "MOM!"

"Draco!" She looked relieved to see that her son was safe, catching him as he came barreling towards her and enfolding him into her arms. She kissed the top of his head. "I'm so happy you're safe."

Draco pulled away to look at her, eyes roving over her face as though inspecting to make certain she weren't injured. "He didn't hurt you at all?"

She shook her blonde head. "I'm fine."

"And he's gone?"

Sirius and Remus looked to Tonks for confirmation on this subject and she nodded. "We found the chamber right where Draco said it would be. Malfoy will be in Azkaban for the rest of his life."

Draco's shoulders sagged as all of the tension left his body in one giant whoosh. Harry was afraid for a moment that the boy was going to collapse. He was at Draco's side in an instant, slipping a supportive arm about his waist. "You okay?"

Narcissa looked curiously from Harry to Draco.

"Mom, this is Harry Potter." Draco looked at Harry and smiled. "He's my friend."

Harry's heart melted a little bit. He and Draco were more than friends and they both knew it, but right now was neither the time nor the place to get into it with Narcissa Black. It was a matter they hadn't even discussed at any great length. For now? For now it just felt wonderful hearing Draco call him a friend.

Narcissa's lovely eyes widened slightly in surprise, but the look faded nearly as quickly as it came. She offered a hand to Harry. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said politely. "Are you the one who saved my son?" But before Harry could answer, Draco had nodded, and all semblance of that smooth façade vanished as Narcissa's motherly emotion took over. Harry found himself being tugged into a tight embrace.

"Thank you," Narcissa whispered.

"…I…" Harry couldn't speak, partly because he was overwhelmed by the show of emotion, partly because she was squeezing him so damn tight.

"Mom! You're gonna crush him!" Draco yanked on his mom's arm until she released Harry. He rolled his eyes at Harry with a smile.

The brunette shook his head, finally managing to find some words. "Don't have to thank me. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Your son is wonderful."

Narcissa took Harry's hand in hers and squeezed it; her eyes were glistening with tears. When Harry glanced to Draco, he wasn't surprised to see that the blonde was blushing.

Remus cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Narcissa? Would you care to join us for dinner?"

A flicker of surprise crossed that lovely face once more. It was clearly unusual for a man to treat her as an equal. Narcissa smiled and inclined her head. "Yes, thank you."

Draco found Harry's hand and squeezed. Harry squeezed back, and dared to lean his head on the blonde's shoulder.

This could all work out.


Later that night, after Narcissa had settled into her own room, after she and Draco had spent time alone for over two hours (two hours where Harry had anguished alone, wondering what was happening, if Draco was going to leave with his mother), finally the blonde had emerged and, taking Harry's hand, led them both back down the hallway to Harry's room. The instant the door was shut behind them, Draco wrapped his arms around Harry, pressing his face to Harry's throat.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you so much for all of this."

"Draco—"

"No, shut up. I know you're going to say I don't have to thank you, but I do. You've done so much for me today. You saved me, and my mom. I can never thank you enough for that."

But Harry had had enough. He pulled away and took Draco's face in his hands. "Listen to me very carefully." Looking deep into those grey eyes, he spoke slowly, making sure Draco heard every word. "You do not have to thank me. You are a wonderful person. I would do anything to protect you." And it was strange to realize just how strongly he meant that.

Draco's eyes searched Harry's face. Whatever he found there made him flush; his gaze went to the floor. "You're ridiculous," he mumbled. "But thank you." Then those beautiful eyes looked back up and Draco was smirking. "You have some fairly spectacular qualities yourself."

Harry couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped. He covered his mouth too late. That smirk only grew; Harry glowered. "Shut up."

"No."

With a sigh, Harry turned to his dresser. They hadn't had time to bring any of Draco's things with them when they made their escape that morning. Now that Lucius was put away, Draco could get to his clothes whenever he wanted, but for tonight he would have to make do with wearing some of Harry's. "I'm sorry you don't have your own stuff here to wear."

"I'm not." Draco grinned as he changed into the clothes Harry gave him. "I like wearing your things."

Harry laughed as he changed into his own pajamas. "You're such a dork."

"Yup." Draco clambered up onto the bed. Harry watched him go, head tilted.

"And you're sure you don't want your own room?"

"Positive. Why…" and now Harry could detect the undercurrent of insecurity that Draco was trying desperately to hide. "Want to get rid of me, Potter?"

Harry rolled his eyes and crawled onto the mattress, right into Draco's lap, straddling the boy's hips and effectively pinning him to the bed. "Does this answer your question?"

Draco stared up at him, surprised; slowly, a smile spread over his face. "I don't know….think I may need a bit more clarification."

The Gryffindor couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "Such a dork," he murmured. "Okay then, Draco. Let me see what I can do."

Draco found himself being divested of the clothes he had just changed into, and Harry's quickly followed as he proceeded to do his utter best to drive Draco out of his mind.

It was some time later before they collapsed to the mattress, panting for breath.

"Well," Draco managed. "Looks like I didn't need those clothes after all."

This time, Harry just barely managed to stifle the burst of laughter, turning it into a most undignified snort. The noise set Draco off and soon enough the two were howling with laughter.

Just down the hall, Sirius fixed Remus with a dirty look. "And you were yelling at ME about being loud?"

"They're just kids; cut them some slack."

But Sirius was having none of it. He rose from bed and walked to the bedroom door, leaning into the hallway to holler "KEEP IT DOWN OUT THERE!"

In their room down the hall, Harry and Draco stared at each other, wide-eyed.

"…..shit."

"Yeah." Harry grinned abashedly at Draco. "Guess we'd better try and get to sleep."

"Probably." Draco let Harry wrap an arm about him, snuggling up against the Gryffindor.

They were settled in for the night. Several long moments had passed before Draco spoke up. "….me too."

Harry shifted beneath him. "…'me too' what?"

"I would do anything for you."

Harry felt as if his heart had stopped. Six words….six little words, but they meant so very much. "….I…." His throat caught on words that wanted to come out but which he knew he couldn't say, wasn't ready to say.

Luckily, Draco seemed to understand. "I know." Linking his fingers with Harry's, he gave the boy's hand a squeeze. "Me too."

Warm butterflies fluttered through Harry's belly. Kissing the top of Draco's head, he held the boy that much tighter, and soon enough they both fell into the most restful sleep either had experienced in a very long time.

~tbc~