Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR and anyone she legally lets use them. Not me.

A/N: Sorry guys, just came back to school so I'm still settling back in. But, I've got this chapter for you! (And I think you're going to like it xD) Thank you my FANTASMIC reviewers, you have truly astounded me with the sheer number of reviews that I've received. I am deeply humbled. Thank you for the fave/alert adds too, I'm amazed at how many ppl are following this story. I hope I can deliver x.x

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Chapter 22

Harry opened his eyes once again to a dark room and soft whispers. Steadying his breathing, Harry attempted to come of his sleep-induced fog while still pretending to be asleep. Frankly, he had had quite enough of waking up to the enigmatic Slytherins just watching him, and thought he was better off faking his slumber.

Until the hissing voices near him began to process.

"What the hell Severus? I come back and Potter is just lying here, turning blue?"

"I do not know what happened, Draco. We were simply discussing something before he fell unconscious."

"Oh really. You expect me to believe that."

"Yes, I do. It is the truth."

"I doubt it."

"That would be your problem then Draco."

"Severus Tobias Snape, I'm going to check Potter once more and then you're going to explain to me exactly what is going on here."

Judging by the sharp retreating footsteps, Snape was probably billowing out of the room, clearly not very happy at being told off by his younger lover.

"Potter? You awake?" Opening his eyes slowly, Harry blinked and turned his head to see the concerned face of Draco Malfoy at his bedside.

"What—?" He whispered, rising in bed. To his surprise, Malfoy gently pushed him back onto the bed.

"No getting up yet Potter. Lucky for you, your magic is reviving itself, which could be the reason you fell unconscious. However, it seems likely there are other reasons for your collapse," Malfoy said as a matter of fact, his eyes assessing Harry's expression. "Were Severus and you having a particularly trying conversation?"

Harry shook his head, lying, "No, I think I'm just a bit tired. I'll go to sleep I think." Harry paused as he shifted the bedclothes around, "So, I can do normal things tomorrow?"

A frown deepening on his face, Malfoy reluctantly nodded, "Yes, but I would still recommend you don't exhaust yourself. You'll just end up in the same condition again."

Relieved that he could move around normally tomorrow, Harry nodded absentmindedly, "Mmk."

The Slytherin nodded, unexpected concern still alight in his eyes, "Are you sure you're alright Potter? You were turning blue pretty fast there."

Harry looked up in surprise, inappropriate warmth filling his heart at the concern he saw in the pale face, "I'm fine. Thanks though."

Draco walked towards the door, still contemplating a number of things when Potter whispered, "May I ask you a question Malfoy?"

Draco turned and shrugged, "Sure."

"If you don't mind me asking…how did you and Snape…"

Draco cocked an eyebrow, "Get together?" Potter blushed and nodded. Draco sat in the armchair and folded his hands together, "Tit for tat Potter. I'll answer your question if you'll answer one of mine."

Potter paused and pursed his lips in thought before nodding slowly. Obviously, the man was too curious to care.

Smirking, Draco said, "It was a slow process. We were in constant contact because of the Death Eaters and our spying. We told each other nearly everything, we trusted each other above anyone else. There was no one else that knew who we truly were, knew us. And then one day I couldn't hide my attraction in time and he noticed. I almost fainted in embarrassment but then he came closer and closer and he kissed me. And we were lost."

Potter nodded, his eyes looking out the window, "I can imagine."

Settling his chin on his steepled fingers, Draco asked, "Why is it that there isn't anyone?"

Potter's forehead wrinkled and he cocked his head in the most adorable way, "Huh?"

Draco shrugged, "I mean, you have plenty of prospects, you're hardly hard on the eyes, and you're not some sadistic crazy gay man. So why no significant other?"

Potter's eyes widened and he looked away, "I have my reasons."

Snorting, Draco said, "I can tell. That's not an answer."

Potter was silent for so long that Draco didn't think he'd answer. Finally, the Gryffindor softly said, "You love Snape, yes?"

Raising an eyebrow, Draco drawled, "Would I go along with all this if I didn't?"

Potter nodded, his eyes still gazing out the window, "I can imagine how much you love him. It started off slow, at first simply a physical attraction. Stress of war and sexual release were the only ways to forget for a moment. But being with him is unlike any connection you have ever felt. He laughs and your heart is so light it might float away. He smiles and you sigh because the emotion is too much for you to hold inside. Your eyes meet his and it is as if your souls know each other. When they sparkle you are lost in them, and time passes by, forgotten. When you're with him, you feel safe, protected, like nothing in the world can hurt you. In his arms, you feel invincible. And when you touch, your magic sings, for the two of you are in perfect harmony."

Draco gaped as Potter voiced emotions Severus and he had never spoken of, but undoubtedly felt for each other. How could Potter know?

Sad green eyes turned to him, "Once you have felt a love like that, Draco, everything else is simply a shadow of what you once had. No other love will ever compare, and no other love will ever be the same."

For the first time, Draco felt a well of sadness for the Gryffindor. Nobody deserved to lose something like that. Draco's heart clenched at the idea of losing Severus, "Harry…" Draco breathed, moving to gently touch Harry's knee, "What happened?"

Harry gave him a small smile, "We could not be together. It wasn't meant to be I suppose."

Frowning, Draco said, "Did he feel the same way?"

Harry smiled, "He did, once. And then it was gone." It was obvious that the Gryffindor did not want to speak of the time.

"And there was never anyone else?"

Harry swallowed, "I thought there was. But he was similarly unattainable." Taking a deep breath, Harry gave Draco a wry smile, "Cherish what you have Draco. Losing it will be more than you can bear." Clearing his throat, Harry said, "I think I'm going to sleep now."

Draco nodded, wanting to give the emotional Gryffindor his space, and left, buried in his own thoughts.

"Draco?" Severus frowned at the sad expression on his lover's face. "Is Potter okay?"

Draco looked up and then, suddenly, he engulfed Severus in his arms, burying his face in Severus's throat.

"Draco?"

Pulling away, Draco raised his silver eyes to meet Severus concerned black ones, "I'm such a prat."

Severus raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And this is new how?"

Draco gave a small laugh.. "I asked Potter why there wasn't anyone in his life. And he told me…that he'd been in love once, the way he described it…it was so odd, it was like he was describing how I felt about you."

Severus raised an eyebrow, "Indeed?"

Draco nodded, "The emotion in his voice, it was astounding. And then, apparently, they couldn't be together." Draco shook his head, "Blasted Potter. He's the only one that can manage to make me feel bad for someone!"

Severus smiled wryly, "Was it that moving?"

Draco nodded raising his gaze, "Look."

Raising an eyebrow in question, once Draco's nodded, Severus casted a silent, wandless, Legilimens and watched the scene in Draco's head, gently withdrawing at the point when Draco left Potter's room.

"I…I am speechless. Emotions are a Gryffindor's expertise, no doubt, but words are not. He expresses himself quite eloquently. It is shocking."

Draco nodded, "He obviously felt very deeply for the man."

Severus nodded.

Stepping away, Draco narrowed his eyes and frowned, "And, Severus, would you care to explain what exactly you and Potter were talking about that led to him falling unconscious in his room?"

Onyx eyes glanced, gaze sharpening, "You would not understand Draco."

"Oh? Really. Try me Severus. You're the one who keeps telling me we should look out for Potter and all. And yet, at every turn, I feel like you've been causing half of his debilitating attacks," challenged Draco, clearly unimpressed with Severus's answer.

Elegant hands clenched, Severus sighed tersely, "I cannot tell you Draco. I…have a theory about something. Once I know that it is true, I shall inform you. Not before."

"Not even when it's my patient you're fucking with?"

Glaring at the blonde Severus sneered, "Well excuse me Draco. I did not realize that your patient's wellbeing was more important than your lover's."

Draco narrowed his eyes, "Don't you dare Severus Snape. I'm not falling for this one again. You're just trying to make me angry so I'll forget about the question."

Severus pursed his lips in frustration.

Shoulders slumping, Draco took one of Severus's clenched hands in his. He was finished fighting with Severus about Potter. "Okay, okay. Fine. I'll let it go for now. But, if it happens again..." Draco trailed off threateningly.

Severus squeezed Draco's hand, even as his chest ached oddly at the lies he was telling his lover. But if Draco knew… "I promise. I will inform you of everything."

Draco bit his lip, "You realize you're scaring me here Severus? This all sounds perfectly ominous. Not reassuring at all."

Years of experience spying kicking in, Severus plastered a playful smile on his face and tugged on Draco's hand to draw him close, "You have no reason to worry Draco. It is not important at all. It is simply an interesting intellectual dilemma."

Draco rolled his eyes as he straddled Severus hips, "Oh? More interesting than me?" Teeth gently nipping Severus's ear, Draco twined his arms about Severus's neck.

With a growl, Severus flipped them over and passionately attacked Draco's laughing lips.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he'd think about this puzzlesome problem. For now, a bit of stress-relief.

In the middle of the night Severus Snape awoke, gasping for air as his brain finally put the last few pieces of the puzzle together. While he had slept, his conversations with Potter had woven together with the conversation he had had with Draco and the scene he had witnessed in Draco's mind.

Harry Potter had been in love with Draco Malfoy.

And Draco Malfoy had loved him back.

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