Draco was walking about the halls, looking for Harry. It was nearly three days since the fight at the ministry and Harry seemed to be avoiding everyone lately. Draco had poked his head through nearly every empty classroom, the owlery, and even the library, but still, he was nowhere to be seen. Draco had just about given up when someone called his name.

"Hey Draco!"

Draco turned around to find Ron and Hermione over by the Great Doors. He gave them a small smile as he headed towards them.

"Hey guys. Have you seen Harry?" Draco asked as soon as he reached them. "I've been looking for him all day. Well, for the last couple of days, really." The other two looked at each other, than back at Draco.

"Harry has been avoiding us to," Ron said, sighing. "I mean, I see him wondering around aimlessly everywhere, but he doesn't want to talk to us. It's a bit annoying, actually."

"Well, you have to see where he's coming from Ron," Hermione snapped before turning towards Draco. "He's been through enough! Anyway, he's actually out on the grounds by the lake. I saw him heading there not ten minutes ago."

"Thanks! I'm going to go talk to him," Draco said, heading out of the front doors without a moments' hesitation.

"He's not going to want to talk!" Ron yelled after him, but Draco ignored him. Ron and Hermione have known Harry longer, but Draco had gotten to know things about Harry that even his best friends didn't know. He could see Harry's form coming closer and closer. Harry was just sitting against the beech tree they usually sat under to study; his knees were drawn against his chest, his head resting upon his knees.

As Draco drew closer, he noticed the blank stare, aimlessly gazing at the lake. Draco drew in a choked breath; he hated seeing Harry like this – all empty. When he reached Harry, he didn't say anything but instead, just sat down next to him against the tree, drawing his knees up to his chest as well. Draco didn't bother to look at Harry, he knew wouldn't look back. So he stared out at the lake as well. And Draco just sat there, not saying a single word.

After what must have been an hour, Harry let out a sigh – the first sound he had made since Draco had sat down. But still, Draco kept his eyes on the lake, even as he felt Harry's hand slip into his own. Draco gave the hand a soft squeeze. He heard Harry trying to cover up a soft sob he let slip.

Again, without looking at him, Draco said softly, "It's ok to cry, Harry. No one's here to see or judge you for it."

It was though Harry was for waiting for permission, because as soon as Draco spoke, he let out an anguished sob that seemed to wrack his body. Draco's eyes prickled with tears as he leaned over and pulled Harry into a firm hug. Harry wrapped his eyes around Draco tightly, burying his face deeply into Draco's chest, finally allowing himself to release all the feelings he's been holding in for the last three days.

The wracking sobs died down after a half hour, and still, Harry and Draco sat there holding each other. Harry gave a few sniffs here and there, his face still buried in Draco's chest. Draco, who had been crying himself, drew in a shaky breath himself.

Without lifting his head, Harry said in a rather hoarse voice, "Why were you crying?"

Draco sighed. "Because it hurts to see you suffering like this." Silence. Then –

"It's not like it's anything knew," Harry said miserably, "I've lost my parents, and now I've lost the closest thing I had for a father." Harry gave another dry sob, now resting his head on Draco's shoulder.

"That's not entirely true," Draco said, giving Harry the excuse to lift his head and finally looking at him. I know for a fact that Sirius wasn't the only one who loved you like a son. Mr. Weasley does, for one thing. And they way Lupin treats is almost father-like as well. And the closeness between you and Dumbledore – it's almost like he's your grandfather or something." And Mrs. Weasley loves you, and Ron and Hermione do as well, and all the Weasley's and…and I love you." Draco looked Harry dead in the eyes as he said this last bit.

Harry's eyes grew wide as Draco said this. "You-you love me?"

A big smile grew on Draco's face. "Of course I do."

Harry smiled, looking down at the ground. Not for the first time, Draco wondered what was going on in that beautiful head of Harry's. After a minute, Harry looked up. "You know, as Voldemort possessed me, all I could think of was how I was never going to see Ron and Hermione, or any of the Weasley's again. And then I thought of you, and all of a sudden, my heart just swelled with such emotion, I thought that that was what was going to kill me. But it wasn't until you kissed me that Voldemort was no longer able to withstand being in me anymore." Harry took both Draco's hands into his own, staring into his eyes. Harry's shocking green eyes always made Draco's heart skip a beat.

"Do you know what I realized then?" Harry asked. Draco shook his head. "That intense feeling I got when I thought I was never going to see you again was me realizing that I love you, too." Harry leaned forward and planted a quick, soft kiss on Draco's lips, then wrapped his arms around him tightly once more.

Draco wrapped his arms around Harry as well. "I love you too," Draco repeated. And they sat there, holding each other, neither one of them wanting to break each other's comforting embrace.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, but let me just say…OMG! Not sure about you guys, but I got a little emotional when I wrote this part! Anyway, wow! I really hope you enjoyed this; I had a wicked fun time writing it! Please read and review, but if you don't have anything nice to say, either critic I professionally (as to sound less offensive) or just don't review at all! I don't take too kindly to negative Nancy's!