A/N: Sorry people. I have no excuses for the late update but I will say that I was busy applying to grad school and studying for/taking my GRE. Then I discovered Doctor Who. Needless to say I'm on the fifth season already and it's only been a few weeks. Anyhow, I admit, I wasn't a fan of this chapter at first. It just wasn't writing how I'd wanted it to. But it grew on me, which you'll all understand as you get toward the end. Yeah. I'm also looking for a beta if anyone is willing. Not only for spelling/grammar but for content help as well. I run out of material. And I worry that people are OOC. So I need help. Also, longest chapter yet! Yay! Thanks for reading/reviewing/following/favoriting! :D!

Waking Up

Chapter 11: Ethereal and Talking Walls

Draco watched as Harry approached Looney again. This was the second time today Harry had gone to the girl. He was really laying it on thick.

It annoyed Draco because he was jealous of the girl's public attention from Harry but more so because Harry hadn't spared him a single look this meal time. Not that he'd seen, anyway. After a date like they'd had today, one would think Harry would be hard put to keep his eyes off of Draco. But Harry had lost Gryffindor 10 House points, from McGonagall no less, and that was always fun. And it was probably a result of Harry being distracted by thoughts of their morning and afternoon together.

Still, Draco would have preferred attention he could see. He had been focused in McGonagall's class and thus wasn't sure it was his doing that had distracted Harry. And now that he could see the raven, he was completely ignored.

But Looney wasn't. Even now Harry was once again whispering in her ear amidst the twitters of her Housemates and the curious stares of the other Houses.

Harry was overdoing it, though. At least in Draco's opinion. His smile was too wide, his expression too silly. He leaned in too close and it almost looked like he kissed Looney's face. The animated chatter broke out into a rambunctious frenzy at that point. Seeming to ignore all of this, Looney allowed herself to be helped from her seat and Harry took her bag as he escorted her from the Hall.

Draco saw red but controlled his jealousy by maintaining his usual inexpressive mask and looked away. He couldn't allow his Housemates, and especially Pansy, to see how Harry's behavior affected him again. But he would settle this soon. Harry seemed to forget quite quickly just whose he was. And Draco would be informing Looney of her place, too. More than soon.

Harry kept the wide smile on his face as he led Luna from the Great Hall, but he was getting more nervous by the second. How could he explain to her that… he wouldn't say he was using her. He was simply letting everyone believe he was dating her.

The chatter and stares only followed them as they headed out the door. Before Harry had formed a coherent explanation, Luna spoke to him.

"It is nice to walk about with friends, isn't it Harry?" she said, smiling slightly while looking off into the distance.

"Er, yeah," he said. "But Luna, there's something I need to tell you."

"Though people have asked me questions about it," she continued as if Harry hadn't spoken.

"Questions?" Harry asked, finally drawing her attention to him.

"Oh yes. They seem to think you and I are together, as it were." She smiled again, perhaps at the ludicrousness of the notion.

"Right, about that…" Harry tried again but trailed off, still at a loss for what to say.

"People do still stare at you an awful lot, Harry. One would think that would have died down after six years. Though I suppose they haven't stopped staring at me either and it's been five years," she said pleasantly, apparently unoffended by still being the object of stares and gossip.

Harry was slightly thrown off by that thought, but decided he needed to plunge ahead. People would be leaving dinner soon so they were running out of time to talk.

"Luna, people think we're together because I've been coming to you in the Hall today and am walking about with you." He didn't want to mention the hickeys and the conclusions people have jumped to because of them.

"Oh, I know. Though that is so little to base such a conclusion on. They have more evidence of hickypunks and no one believes they exist," she frowned slightly. "But I can't imagine how they believe I gave you those," she said, her eyes flicking briefly to his neck where the hickeys currently lay uncovered, despite his collar.

It surprised Harry that Luna was aware of why she was believed to be his girlfriend. And her logic was agreeable, despite the hickypunk reference. People shouldn't buy that they were dating just because he seemed to be flirting with her. But the rest of the Ravenclaws appeared to believe it and they were the logical bunch. So hopefully the story held with the rest of the school.

He didn't know why it was cause for doubt that she could have given him the hickeys, though. Perhaps she was taking her own personality into consideration. But it was true few others knew her even as little as Harry did.

"I know," Harry agreed, "but would you mind if we kept up the façade? I don't want anyone to know who I'm dating just yet."

"No, I don't mind. I rather enjoyed the attention today. It gave me the opportunity to educate people about the wrackspurts since they were actually listening to what I had to say, at least for awhile." She smiled brightly at him. "And I can understand wanting to keep the secret. I don't imagine it would be greatly celebrated were everyone to find out you were dating Malfoy," she mused.

She seemed to have drifted back into her own head to contemplate as they walked, but Harry had been shocked into stopping and standing stock still. How did Luna know he was dating Draco? When did she find out? Could he play like he didn't know what she was talking about? What if she had seen them somewhere?

"How… how did you know?" he whispered.

She turned back to him before answering. Her usual dreamy smile had suddenly become terribly insightful. "The walls talk, Harry. One must only listen." She trailed her fingers along the nearest wall before continuing. "The walls see and hear many secrets. Not one can be kept from them within this castle. There is no true privacy here."

Harry was becoming a bit more uncomfortable around Luna than usual. He all of a sudden remembered Hermione's words regarding the girl from that morning. Maybe Luna was otherworldly.

"Anyway," the younger Ravenclaw cut back into Harry's uneasy thoughts, her usual disposition returning and driving away every remnant of her previous serious tone, "I must be getting back to my dorm. Much homework to do. O.W.L. year, you know. See you later, Harry," she said before removing her bag from Harry's possession and making her way in the direction of the Ravenclaw dormitories.

Harry didn't know what to do. He was still shocked that Luna knew he was dating Draco. And the way she said she knew was unsettling him even more. He could barely manage to think straight just yet. But he should feel accomplished, right? He had Luna's permission to let the masquerade continue. And even though she knew his secret, he doubted she'd actually tell anyone.

He made his way back toward Gryffindor Tower, letting his mind wrap around his conversation with Luna. Okay, so she was a bit stranger than he'd believed, but that was alright. She was still his friend. And she was still one of the most trustworthy people he knew, as loyal as any Gryffindor. He could deal with a bit of unsettling behavior. It's not like his own life was normal.

Harry stepped into his common room still lost in thought when he was assaulted by Seamus and Dean who bombarded him with questions and comments too quickly spoken and so thoroughly entangled that he couldn't make sense of anything they said as they carried him off to their dorm room. When they had gotten him there and sealed themselves in the room with a few privacy charms, they deposited him on his bed and simply stood before him smiling smugly, each of their speech tirades ended.

Harry just looked confusedly between the two.

"Er, what's going on, guys?" he said.

"You know what," said Seamus, still smiling at him.

"I think it's time we had The Talk," clarified Dean.

Harry was getting a sinking feeling about now.

"About what?" he asked. He thought he had an idea, but was dreading the answer.

"It's time we talked about who gave you those," Seamus informed him, indicating Harry's still uncovered hickeys.

"Actually, I'd really rather not," Harry told them. He really wasn't in the mood for this.

"Oh, come on, Harry. We won't tell. Besides, we have loads more to talk about than just that. Like when you came over to the dark side," said Dean cheekily.

"Ugh, do we have to do this now?" Harry groaned, just short of burying his face in his bedclothes.

"I think we do. It looks like there's plenty you haven't been telling us, Harry. We can help you, you know. You have no reason to hide from us, or from anyone," Seamus said seriously.

Harry considered this. Seamus and Dean were his mates and they had experience being out in the open with being gay. If it ever came out that Harry was, he could definitely use their advice and support. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to just talk to them about it, even if he didn't tell them who he was seeing just yet. He doubted they'd still help him after that.

"Alright, what do you want to know?" he asked hesitantly. Merlin knew these two could gang up on someone so he was wary of what they'd ask.

They just beamed at him a moment before they started their questions.

"When did you realize you were gay, for starters?" Dean inquired.

"Well," Harry started, blushing slightly, "I suppose I might have known for awhile. I'd catch myself admiring blokes in the locker room and on the Quidditch pitch. The uniforms fit spectacularly well."

"Don't we know it," Dean smiled encouragingly.

Harry relaxed more in the wake of that encouragement. "It just took awhile before I accepted what it was," he finished.

"And when did you actually start dating blokes?" Seamus asked.

"Just this year. Sometime first term. He is a seventh year," Harry answered.

"Really now? Well you've about as much experience as us. I'm not sure there's much we can teach him, Seamus," Dean told his partner.

"Don't be too sure," Seamus responded. "He's still got that innocent air about him. I'd say there's plenty he has yet to learn." He was talking to Dean but had his eyes dancing mischievously at Harry.

Harry almost gulped. He again had the thought that if things didn't work out with Draco, he could definitely see himself as a part of a trio with Dean and Seamus. They would be no end of fun. Though it would almost certainly lack the passion he found with the blond.

Dean laughed. "True, I don't suppose we've had that air in quite some time."

"Not even a hint of it," Seamus smiled at his partner. "At our rate, I'm surprised we even remember what it feels like."

Harry almost smiled at this. He could definitely use some pointers from these two if their banter was anything to go by. Not that he wasn't a satisfactory lover, but it never hurt to throw in new tricks every now and then and aim for exceptional.

"So how many chaps have you dated? Done anything with any of them?" Seamus inquired, resuming their question session.

"Besides the snogging free for all we can obviously see?" Dean added with a smirk.

Seamus' smile returned but he didn't comment on the remark. Harry just rolled his eyes before answering.

"I dated and slept with two guys first term. Now I'm just dating one," he told them.

"Dated two guys at once? Harry, you animal," Seamus barked a laugh. Dean's laughter followed swiftly after.

Harry blushed again before commenting. "You know that's not what I meant."

"We know, but it's so much more fun to think of that way," Seamus laughed again.

"Not that I haven't considered the option," Harry looked at them pointedly, aiming for a bit of revenge for their teasing.

"Oh, we've got a wild one!" Dean exclaimed, having caught on.

Seamus laughed heartily as only an Irishman can. "I'm not sure you're ready for us yet, Harry, even with two partners under your belt," he said.

"Not to mention he's already dating someone," Dean helpfully threw in.

"True," Harry mused.

Draco would not take kindly to this conversation were he to know of it. He was beautifully jealous when Harry only pretended to flirt with Luna, someone there was no chance in hell he'd actually be with. If he knew Harry was flirting with Seamus and Dean, a pair there was a very real chance he could be with, he'd hex them all into oblivion.

"Ah, but if this goes the way of the previous two…" Seamus trailed off suggestively, raking Harry over with his eyes. "Then we could have some fun. We'd train him up nice and proper."

"Right, but until then," Harry said, hoping Seamus would take the hint to drop his train of thought.

Since Draco had been mentioned he was officially feeling guilty for flirting with the pair, even if it had started off as revenge. Thoughts of the blond were now intruding into his head and though Harry imagined Draco punishing him for this infidelity, none of the thoughts were unpleasant. Even the punishment sounded pleasurable as Harry thought Draco would reassert his claim in the most delicious of ways.

"…-arry? Harry!" Harry heard one of his friends saying, as if from a distance. His thoughts were absorbed in daydreams of Draco reminding him that he was the boyfriend of a dragon.

"I think we've lost him," the other friend answered when Harry did not.

"Ah, sorry," Harry apologized, tuning back in to their conversation. It wasn't easy. Imagines of he and Draco still danced behind his eyelids and at the corner of his thoughts. It was rather distracting.

"Did you go somewhere pleasant?" Dean asked him with a knowing smile playing about his lips.

"In fact, I did," Harry assured him, "and I'm going somewhere else pleasant now," he finished, rising.

Harry headed toward the door but stopped when he got there, turning back to his friends.

"Thanks for the talk. It helps. And I'm sure you're aware the rest of the school currently believes I'm dating Luna. I'd appreciate it if you didn't do anything to contradict that. My partner and I aren't ready to make ourselves known just yet and Luna is aware of her part in it. So just go with it, yeah?"

At their nods, Harry smiled gratefully at them before assuring them they'd talk again soon and heading off in search of his best friends.

Draco was not pleased. He felt slighted and when he felt that way, he tended to seek revenge. That's how he came to be in the owlery the following morning before breakfast attaching a letter addressed to Luna Lovegood to a school owl. He'd actually had to ask someone her real name. Luna. How ludicrous. Looney suited her much better.

He'd originally intended to do something much worse to Looney than telling her off, but knew that if any harm befell her, Harry would seek him out first. Draco thought he could probably pin the blame on someone else, claiming a jealous girl attacked the girlfriend of Harry Potter to clear out the competition, but he didn't know if Harry would buy that.

In the end he settled on this letter. It wasn't a Howler as it could have been. He didn't want anyone to recognize his voice. As it was he'd used a spell to change his handwriting. But it said quite clearly and in no uncertain terms that Harry Potter now belonged to someone else and she better not get the idea in her loony little head that Harry's behavior implied differently. He'd considered telling her also that she was nowhere near worthy of the attention Harry currently lavished on her, but decided that also would not sit well with Harry were he to hear of it. This letter would have to do. Though broaching no room for argument, it still did not insult Looney in any overly cruel way that would cause Harry to complain even if Looney did show it to him.

Draco's punishment for Harry would be a lot more satisfying. His raven clearly needed a lesson in how to keep his hands where they belonged. They should be touching Draco or no one at all. Draco would be remiss if he did not teach Harry what was and was not okay. And he would take great pleasure in reminding Harry just where his loyalties lie. He just had to decide when and where this lesson would be given.

Draco watched the morning post owls come in with their usual flurry. He received his weekly care package from his mother, but he paid it little attention. He was watching for when Looney received his letter. He was hoping the letter would scare her into obedience or at least unsettle her a bit.

What he did not expect was for there to be several owls arriving for the usually unpopular Ravenclaw. It appeared Draco wasn't the only one with a bone to pick with the girl. There was even a Howler that exploded in loud rambles about how she was mad and would be utterly insane to think whatever she had going on with Harry would last and how she wasn't good enough for him.

Looney listened to the Howler with a smile upon her face as it insulted her, but Harry had stood near the beginning of the message and made his way over to her. Before the letter could finish Harry incendio-ed it to ashes that he then banished. He shot the girls of the room a venomous look as the letter had apparently been sent by one among the female population.

As Harry stood watch behind Looney, likely in case of anymore Howlers, Looney gathered her remaining letters and put them in her bag. When she showed no signs of getting up to leave with him yet, he simply placed himself beside her at the Ravenclaw table.

The professors at the Head table made a few comments about keeping the peace and Dumbledore mentioned something about the inappropriateness of such a Howler, but they all went greatly unheeded.

Draco had mixed feelings. He was almost happy for the Howler because it said everything he'd wanted to say and he didn't have to get his hands dirty saying it. It was a bit upsetting, too, because whatever girl had sent the Howler had clearly deluded herself into believing she had some sort of claim on Harry that Looney was poaching on. Draco did not like people thinking they owned what was his. Also upsetting was the fact that he would not be able to see Looney's reaction to his own letter as she had put her mail in her bag, assumedly to be opened and read later. Though judging by her calm response to the Howler, which was harsh, Draco did not think his own letter, which was mild in comparison, would garner the response he had hoped for. Looney might even laugh at it.

"Well that was quite a show," Draco heard from beside him.

He turned to see Pansy also watching the scene at the Ravenclaw table as it closed. Draco hadn't feared being caught watching it currently because the entire school had looked on as the event unfolded.

"Looney's gone and made an enemy," she continued.

"Doesn't seem fazed by it, though," Blaise noted.

"No, she doesn't," Pansy acknowledged. "She actually smiled while it screeched at her."

"What do you expect?" Theodore cut in. "She's called Looney for a reason. Mental, that one. Wouldn't recognize a threat on her life if someone held a wand to her face with an AK on their lips."

"But Potter came to her rescue nicely," Millicent said, still looking at the Ravenclaws where Harry sat talking to Looney.

"Guess that puts to rest the question of if he's actually dating her," Theodore said.

"No, he could just be protecting his friend," Blaise reasoned.

"Exactly; you know how those Gryffindorks are," Pansy agreed. "They love being the hero. It could mean nothing."

"What do you think, Draco?" Theodore asked him.

Draco had been sitting back listening to the reasoning and assumptions of his Housemates. He hadn't been surprised when Harry had gone to Looney's rescue, though he hadn't expected Harry to place himself at her side after the spectacle. It annoyed him slightly, but it was in Harry's character so he wasn't too shocked. He was much more interested in what conclusions others drew from Harry's behavior. It was a mixed opinion right now. He appreciated that Pansy and Blaise didn't just jump to conclusions and instead reasoned like clever Slytherins, but he'd much rather they'd have accepted it and not questioned anything. It was just easier that way.

"Hard to say," he said instead. "One never knows just what Potter is doing. He could be protecting a friend or standing up for his girlfriend. I wouldn't rule anything out at this point. But I'm not putting too much thought into it. Potter's affairs are none of my concern."

"No, but the girl might come in handy," Theodore said cryptically.

They all knew what he was referring to, but none wanted to add on to that comment.

Sixth years had a break Friday mornings before afternoon classes. It was supposed to be used as study time for them to do all the extra work professors piled on them in preparation for their N.E.W.T.s, but few actually worked during this time unless they were really behind.

Draco brushed off his friends to walk the halls, hoping he'd catch Harry walking back from escorting Looney to her first class. He'd been walking for about 15 minutes before he tired of waiting around for Harry when he had no idea if the boy would even pass this part of the castle. Since he was already caught up in his work and had no desire to return to his common room lest his Housemates still be talking of Harry and his possible girlfriend, he decided to take another trip outside. He could do with more fresh air anyway. The castle got rather stifling with its stagnant occupants. They never changed.

He took his broom outside with him. It had been awhile since he'd ridden it since Quidditch season had yet to return for the Spring. He missed flying with the air rushing past him. He missed the thrill of chasing the Snitch. He missed competing against Harry most of all.

He took to the sky as soon as he left the castle walls. He wanted to taste the air as soon as possible from as high as he could. He flew a few laps around the castle turrets and made his way above the Forbidden Forest. He had hated the place since first year when McGonagall had assigned him detention with Hagrid and he'd had to go into it. Even seeing it in the light third year hadn't assuaged his fear, especially as he'd been nearly mauled to death by the hippogriff. The place was a living nightmare, filled with countless foul creatures just waiting to rip one's head off, or suck them bloodless, or kidnap them in the night so they were never heard from again. Draco stayed away from it like his life depended on it, which he was almost positive it did.

He flew away from it with chills born of more than the cold. Sometimes nightmares of what he thinks he saw first year still haunted him. It was enough to want an escape just then. Draco decided to fly away from Hogwarts towards Hogsmead where he planned to have a nice Butterbeer. It would certainly help warm him up.

Before he made it off Hogwarts' grounds, something moving by the Quidditch pitch caught his eye. He turned and saw a figure flying across the field in spectacular moves. He could tell it was Harry by the agile motions. Turns and dives and speed all spoke of his raven. His Hogsmead plans completely derailed, Draco headed toward Harry.

He flew up slowly as not to distract Harry. He was enjoying the show far too much to interrupt. And Harry was beautiful. Lithe as the small bird Draco usually associated him with. Powerful as the bird of prey that he could sometimes become. Graceful in a way that combined the two like only Harry could. Draco just watched him for a time.

And Harry did not seem to see him. He kept on flying this way and that and Draco wondered if he was seeing future moves of the Gryffindor team. If so, everyone else was in for a rude awakening.

All of a sudden Harry took a stunning dive and pulled up what looked like a foot off the ground in a miraculous recovery before flying slowly back upward. Draco felt his heart thud hard in his chest. Bloody idiot Gryffindor. He could have been killed if he had made impact with the ground.

"Are you insane?" Draco yelled at him.

He could tell he'd surprised Harry for the raven looked up too abruptly and almost unseated himself. Draco felt his heart stumble as Harry fought briefly for balance. Damn, this boy was too close to him. He was inside him already.

Harry didn't seem too worried as he smiled as he flew towards Draco.

"Hey, I didn't see you there. I was just working off some steam. That Howler someone sent Luna this morning bothered me," he said frowning. "What brings you out here?"

Draco just blinked at him a moment. "You're out here risking your neck because of Looney?" he asked disbelievingly.

Harry frowned at him again. "Her name is Luna. And not because of her, because of whoever sent her the Howler."

"It didn't even bother Looney that much. She smiled as she listened to it!" Draco exclaimed.

"Luna. And that's not the point. They shouldn't have sent that to her or said any of that nonsense. She's not mental and not unworthy of me or any of the other rubbish they said about her," Harry said.

"If Looney didn't take offense then I hardly see where it's your place to go off in a snit about someone saying something that wasn't even about you. And to be out here almost breaking your neck to vent off some of this irrational irritation is idiotic. And such a Gryffindor move I'm surprised I'm surprised. Killing yourself certainly won't solve the problem or stop that girl from sending Looney anymore Howlers," Draco steamed.

"First, it's Luna. Stop calling her Looney. She is not mental. Just a little… different. Second, the insult was about me too as the girl said Luna wasn't good enough for me, as if I'm so high and mighty that I would be stooping down to date her. Luna is frankly several steps up from some of the girls that have pursued me. Third, I was not trying to kill myself. I'm just practicing my flying. I've done that dive before and I'm working on perfecting it. It's one of the things that will wipe the ground with the Slytherin team when the season starts back up," Harry finished with a smile.

Sufficiently distracted, Draco answered only the last part.

"You wish, Potter. None of these silly little moves you've been doing will even impress us. We've been practicing and have moves so incredible that they'll amaze you Gryffindorks into falling right out of the sky," Draco bragged.

None of it was true, but that wasn't the point. He couldn't let Harry get away with his own bragging without retaliation. And the falling out of the sky line might have been in bad taste considering Harry almost did a few minutes ago, but Harry wasn't worried about it so neither would Draco be. At least he wouldn't look it, anyway. His heart had only just come back to its normal pace from the double assault Harry's dive and balance floundering had given it.

"You need to be put back in your place, Potter. Think I'll teach you a thing or two about flying. Watch and learn," Draco commented before flying off a ways and doing a few exceptional moves of his own.

Harry was admittedly better than him still, but Draco had definitely improved since first year. Harry's skill was a constant goal to reach for and Draco was getting there. Except he didn't plan to stop there. He intended to surpass Harry by far. Eventually.

Harry took up the challenge and raced alongside Draco as he sped off and did dives and turns of his own. Despite them having no Snitch to chase, the flying competition between them still fulfilled Draco in a way that he had been lacking since the Quidditch season ended. There was just something about flying against Harry. But Draco had to admit that there was nothing like flying with him.

They stayed out flying for about an hour before the cold got to them. Harry kind of enjoyed it, but like yesterday, Draco complained.

They made their way to the Quidditch changing rooms. They'd decided that instead of trying and failing to correct their appearance like yesterday, they would shower and start again. But instead of going to separate sections as they would with their teams, they stayed together. Separating hadn't even occurred to them.

Harry admired Draco's build as the blond removed his coat and outdoor accessories. Draco was long and slender but muscled slightly from his Quidditch training. He was toned and firm in all the right places and Harry had a hard time doing nothing more than just looking.

And Draco paid no attention to Harry. He only appeared to want out of his cold attire. He said nothing as he pulled his jumper and collared shirt over his head and his trousers and pants down his legs.

Harry watched as every delicious inch of Draco was revealed to him. Though they had done a fair amount at this point, they had never been naked together. Ignoring that first morning together. Harry didn't really count that as it had been an accident and he hadn't really been looking at Draco. At least not with the appreciation he had now.

Harry found himself rather entranced with Draco's body. As creamy skin flowed into creamy skin, Harry found he wanted to taste Draco like he had that first morning. See if that skin still held the intoxicating flavor it possessed then.

When Draco was finally nude, he looked up and blinked at Harry. Harry was still fully dressed, but considerably more heated than he had been when they'd arrived there. At least in one area of his body.

It didn't seem to take Draco long to realize what had distracted Harry from removing his own clothes. He took a quick look down at himself before smiling wickedly at the raven. He started walking toward Harry which made tempting parts of his anatomy sway, distracting Harry from that smile. Though his attention was directed downward, Harry heard Draco laugh loudly from somewhere above.

Draco was upon him before Harry had gathered his wits back enough to look up. When he did, it was to see that same wicked smile gracing Draco's lips, but that mischief that he loved was present in the dragon's eyes now, too. That look always promised immeasurable pleasure for both of them.

Harry didn't ask what Draco had in mind. It was so much better to be surprised along the way. When Draco started undoing Harry's coat, Harry offered no resistance. He stood still as Draco removed his gloves from his hands and unraveled the scarf from around his neck. His accessories fell to the floor and were quickly joined by his unbuttoned coat and Harry barely noticed. He only had eyes for Draco then.

His tie went not long after. He briefly lost sight of his dragon as his jumper and shirt were removed, but Draco made up for it a thousand fold when he kissed Harry's newly exposed skin. Harry's eyes fluttered shut. The heat from Draco's kisses were quickly warming whatever chill he still had left from being outside.

Draco spent a few minutes on Harry's torso. He kissed his neck and chest and stomach. He introduced his tongue, licking in soft, lazy strokes. He avoided Harry's mouth but that was fine as Harry was unaware of everything except sensation during that time. He was focused on nothing but feeling and wouldn't have had the coordination to kiss Draco back when necessary.

Draco's kisses and licks were on Harry's lower stomach now and he felt his belt being undone. Harry knew what was coming and some part of his brain cheered for the imminent caress of Draco's tongue on his shaft, but the majority of his brain was concentrated on feeling Draco's lips still attached to his abdomen.

Harry felt himself being more exposed as Draco lowered his trousers and pants, but he couldn't think on that too much as a hand suddenly wound itself around him. Harry's head fell backward. He thought it was more than he could take.

He was proven wrong when Draco's mouth engulfed him. The tongue played along his lower head, pressing into the slit and tucking beneath the skin where head met shaft. Harry was awash in awareness. He was conscious of every millimeter of skin Draco's mouth caressed.

His hands found their way into Draco's hair. They did that a lot. Harry had to admit that he loved Draco's hair. The silken tresses were so unlike his unruly mop. He could spend great amounts of time doing little but running his hands through Draco's hair.

Even that thought went away when Draco sucked. His mouth was still concentrated on Harry's penis' head, but it was enough. His hand was still holding Harry's shaft and the warmth only added to the pleasure. When Draco took to licking Harry's shaft the raven groaned. It wasn't long before Draco nearly swallowed him, pulling Harry in and out of his mouth in tandem with his moving hand.

Harry couldn't take much more. When Draco used his teeth to gently scrap along his pole, Harry groaned again and squeezed Draco's hair in warning. He was quite done for. He'd be coming in another second.

The orgasm rushed through him. He felt like the cum cascaded out of his body and all down Draco's throat. Draco didn't seem to mind as he swallowed it all and proceeded to lick along Harry for any excess cum running down him.

Harry's knees nearly gave out on him. He felt so empty just then. Surely even his bones had liquefied and exited through him in that orgasm. There was nothing left in him to hold him up.

Draco resumed his feet and balanced Harry before speaking to him.

"Let that be a reminder to whom you belong," he said. "Looney could never do you like this."

Before Harry could even wrap his head around the comment, let alone form a coherent response, Draco chose that moment to attack his mouth. Harry had no idea why Draco always chose moments of his post-coital incoherency to try to talk to him of matters that mattered. Harry's thoughts drifted again as he tasted himself mixed in with the familiar taste of Draco. It was an interesting combination. The snogging only lasted a minute before Draco broke off and dragged Harry to the showers.

The shower was slow and hot, in more ways than one. They washed each other with caressing hands and soapy cloths. Mouths wandered and bodies rubbed and Harry returned the favor of an orgasm. He gave Draco another hand job in the shower and a blow job when they'd gotten out. Draco's continual pleasure was enough to trigger his own release a second time. Needless to say they were both fairly relaxed by the time they headed back up to the castle for lunch.

Draco was feeling rather on top of the world as he ambled into the Great Hall for dinner. He'd had a spectacular morning and had reasserted his dominance and claim in Harry's life. He wasn't sure if Harry had quite gotten the message, though, as he'd made no comment to it. But if not, Draco had no problem with showing him again and again just who his lover was.

His afternoon class went well. Draco had always enjoyed Arithmancy. It seemed even easier given his good mood.

Harry came in looking as carefree as Draco did. He joined his friends and engaged them in animated chatter. Dinner passed pleasantly enough but Draco noticed Harry shot many slightly concerned looks Looney's way.

Draco wasn't sure why. Looney didn't look to be in any trouble. Some people were giving her curious or conniving glances, but nothing was being done to her. Draco supposed Harry was just looking to keep it that way.

Halfway through the meal Harry left the Gryffindor table and resumed his place beside Looney with the Ravenclaws. It wasn't apparent why but Draco thought Harry might have been making a statement. Gryffindors. They were like that.

Draco went back to his meal and didn't spare Harry another look. Beside him, Pansy began speaking.

"You know, Drake," she said, drawing his attention, "I've been looking for days for who your new partner is, and I haven't found a thing. No one has heard anything and no one has even seen you show particular interest in anyone new. You've never been this secretive before."

"Maybe no one has been looking in the right places," he smiled at her.

Trust Pansy to have actually been looking. He hadn't doubted she'd look, but didn't think she'd start so soon.

"Oh, no, darling, they've been looking everywhere. You've abandoned all your old haunts," she responded.

"Well the old things do get boring. New lover, new meeting place. We all need a bit of change now and then, after all," he said.

"Perhaps, but I still intend to find out just who inspired this change. You know we don't keep secrets, Drake," she told him.

"Oh, I don't know. We all need our little secrets, Pans. I haven't asked you about what's going on between you and Blaise," he whispered.

That brought her up short. She clearly didn't know he knew. And he wouldn't have if he hadn't caught them twice now in some secluded corner in each other's arms. He didn't mind. They were his closest friends. And were they to marry, it would make a good alliance between their families. And if it was nothing more than fooling around, then that was fine, too. Despite him having been with both of them a time or two, he had no problem with them being with each other now.

Pansy scowled at him. She never did like being thwarted.

"I think I just need to change tactics," she said.

Draco didn't have time to ask her what she meant. Next thing he knew, he again had a lap full of Pansy. But unlike last time, she now attached her lips to his.

The kiss surprised Draco. So much so that he didn't know how to react at first. He didn't kiss Pansy back, though he wouldn't have minded doing just that. She certainly knew how to kiss. He'd always loved the way her lips played against his. And unlike a bloke's lips, Pansy's were soft and yielding. They molded to his in a way that asserted his masculine dominance without him having to do a thing. It was always nice to have another bend to your will. And her tongue flicking against his mouth was a nice touch.

But this was wrong. Though kissing Pansy was nice, hers weren't the lips he desired. He craved a rougher touch, a less yielding caress. He wanted the lips that not only let him push but pushed back, demanding just as much as they gave. Draco didn't know how to go about telling Pansy this. Pushing her away never occurred to him, though he later supposed it should have.

But he didn't have to worry too long. Pansy detached herself from his face before what Draco considered a long time. She gave him another brief kiss before licking her lips for emphasis and removing herself from his lap. She smiled as she ysed her thumb to wipe a bit of her lipstick from his lips.

"That ought to lure out whoever it is you're seeing," she said licking her lips again. "Your taste has improved since we last kissed, Drake. Remind me to kiss you more often," she finished with another smile.

Draco wondered if she tasted any of the remnants of Harry on his lips. He was distracted from this thought when he noticed Snape looking menacing as he stalked toward them. Almost immediately after that he spared a glance in the direction of Harry and Looney. Harry was staring at him like many other students but his expression was a mix of surprise and hurt rather than the overall curiosity of the rest of the school. The hurt and shock quickly morphed into barely restrained anger, though. Draco thought he was in for it the next time he and Harry were alone together.

"I think you've just gotten both of us in a world of trouble," Draco told Pansy as he looked away from Harry and turned to meet his fate at the hands of Snape.

A/N: Is it normal to fangirl your own writing? When the thought of them showering together (a major step for them, I might add) occurred to me (and how could I not do it since the opportunity just presented itself so flawlessly? I did not plan it ahead of time like I did most of the chapter), my jaw dropped and I had to cover my mouth for fear of looking retarded to my relatives. And when I started writing Draco stripping, seeing him as Harry did, I nearly sqee'd. x3 Gosh, Tom stripping before you. Just imagine it, people. Ugh. The hotness of that boy. And Draco stripping Harry?! No words. I think you get the point. Anyhow, I think it's good that I react thus. I saw a post on facebook the other day that said "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader." I think that's true. If I feel it, maybe you guys do, too. If I don't, why would you?