Chapter 10 I Love You, You Silly Gryffindor

Theodore Notte, another Slytherin, was heading back to the common room for the night when he noticed that Potter was following him. Or, at least, going to the same place that he was headed. He stopped and waited for the Gryffindor to catch up, oddly feeling a pull toward the raven-haired boy.

"Where are you headed, Potter?" he asked as he started to walk again.

"The Slytherin common room. I'm meeting Draco. I need to talk to him, and… I have something for him." "Oh? What?" "A book."

"Uh, huh. So, about these rumors?"

"What rumors?" Harry asked in confusion.

"You know, you and Draco? Is he really Courting you?"

"Oh, that," he said, nodding, a faint blush spreading over his cheeks. "Yes, he is."

"Wow. How did that happen?"

"It's sort of complicated."

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me about it. I know that you don't really know me that well."

"No, that's okay. It's not like it's some big secret. I… I love him. I always have, I was just too afraid to tell him what I was feeling. I'd like to think that I would have told him eventually, but I honestly don't know for sure. Then I got sick… Draco found out about it from 'Mione, and… The decision was taken out of my hands. That's it, I guess."

"You were sick? I'm sorry."

"Thanks. I'm mostly better now. Draco's helping me a lot, just by being there."

They reached their destination, Theodore giving the password.

"Thanks for the company," Harry said as they went inside together. "I suppose I'll see you around?"

"Sure," Theodore answered him, leaving his side to head over to Blaise where he sat near Pansy.

Harry nodded, his face lighting up when he saw Draco.

The gorgeous blonde boy was sitting on the floor next to Crabbe and Goyle with his elegant ankles crossed casually, his quill moving over the scroll that was on the table in front of him steadily. He moved closer, almost reluctant to disturb the beautiful scene before him. Draco looked up when he heard him, his gray eyes softening as he set his quill down and stood to embrace him in front of everyone without any hesitation.

"Harry, love… How are you?"

The Gryffindor blushed at his actions and endearment, but he hugged him back tightly, even closing his eyes and resting his forehead against his shoulder. "I'm okay. Better then I was. I missed you…"

A round of teasing yet gentle awws traveled around the room, mostly from the girls, though excluding Pansy, and Harry blushed deeper, squirming a little in embarrassment.

"Draco?" he asked quietly. "Can we talk?"

"Of course," he said, taking him by the hand and starting to lead him over to Crabbe and Goyle gently.

"Um… I sort of meant alone. Please?"

"Oh," Malfoy said, frowning as a bunch of sharp whistles came from the group of boys in the room that were gay like him, or bi, making Harry's face flame like red wand-sparks again.

"Alright. I guess I understand if you're uncomfortable being around my friends."

"No, it's not that. I got along with Theodore just fine on the way here. There's just… I have something to give you…"

More whistles.

"Oh. Okay. We can go to the dorms if you want."

"I do. It's really important."

"Alright."

Draco led him down a spiral staircase made of stone to the dorms, going to the door to the one marked fifth years and sitting down on his bed, looking at Harry and patting the mattress beside him. Harry blushed again, but he sat down beside him, staring down at his own trembling hands.

"So, why did you want to come down here? I know that it's not because you want to sleep with me despite what the Slytherin's up there think."

"No, I… I'm not ready for that yet. I needed to give you this."

Draco was surprised when Harry pulled a book out of his robes and handed it to him. "Magical Creatures Of The Deep? What do I need this for?"

Harry sighed, pulling out his wand and casting a silencing charm for privacy.

"Because everything that you need to know about… about what I am is in there. I marked the page for you. If after you read it, you change your mind about Courting me, I'll understand…" "Harry…" Draco said softly, reaching out to him to take his hand in his. "Look at me."

Harry raised his head reluctantly, his strawberry red lips parting with a soft gasp at the heated look in the Slytherin's eyes.

"There is nothing printed on the pages of this book that could make me let you go. I love you, you silly Gryffindor. Besides, I've already sent my parents a letter informing them of our new relationship."

"You did?" he asked, his expression one of shock and worried dismay. "Already? What did they say?"

"I have not received a response as yet. It truly does not matter to me what they say, Harry. I know what I want, baby, and Malfoys always get what they want." "They do, do they?" Harry asked teasingly, mischief shining in his green eyes. "Always." "Hmmm… Then it's a good thing that I want you so desperately. Merlin forbid that I would fight the inner workings of the universe."

Draco smiled, leaning closer to kiss him gently, a brief brushing of soft lips before he pulled back reluctantly, not wanting to make Harry uncomfortable.

"Do you want to go back up to the common room now? We could hang out and cuddle while I read this book."

"Sounds good to me."

"Only good?" Draco teased him playfully. "No," Harry answered seriously. "It sounds wonderful, Dray…"