Chapter 10

Draco loved his new body. So much so that, for the first time, he made sure he was alone in the Dormitory just to admire his hard work. He was naturally tall, standing at six foot, but the muscles seemed to somehow make him look bigger. His chest was fully developed, his pale smooth skin radiating like a Greek statue and his nipples stood erect in the cold air like two small pink discs. Draco flexed in front of the mirror, seeing his bulging muscles and smirked sexily, touching his chest as he moved his hands downward, his eyes following. His stomach muscles were fully formed as well; abs permanent visible thanks to a spell Ron taught him; his body now in a V-shaped. After a very embarrassing talk with Ron, Draco was convinced to stop shaving his entire body and now a treasure trail of platinum blond hair started near the bottom of his abs, down his pelvis, and gathering in a large bush that was neatly trimmed and surrounded his flaccid, girthy cock. He turned around and admire his ass. Before it was flat, his entire body was flat, but now… now there was an obvious big curve, a nice bubble of muscles that shaped nicely and lead towards toned legs. Draco admitted his body, slowly moving his hands all over his chest and stomach, closing his eyes and groaning softly as he imagined Harry touching him; Harry holding onto him. His cock started to harden but didn't get fully hard.

He continued to stare and admire his body. It was mostly hairless, Ron only convinced him to keep his pubic hair, and, while pale, it fitted Draco perfectly. Smooth, undamaged, not even a pimple or hint of one. The only mark, the only disturbance of his perfect skin was the Dark Mark that laid on his inner forearm. Draco held his arm up so that he could stare at the Dark Mark. His stomach boiled, rage brewed, and a sickness overwhelmed him. He closed his eyes and tightened his jaw as he felt bile raise in his throat. Breathing through his nose he forced the bile back down his throat and into his stomach. He kept his eyes closed and continued to breathe slowly until he felt he could open his mouth without vomiting. Opening his eyes, he looked at his Dark Mark once more before grabbing a piece of white cloth and wrapped it around his arm, covering the mark.

With his stain fully covered, he looked at his body once more and did his best to smile. He felt ready to talk to Harry.

Halfway through October came their first trip of the term to Hogsmeade. Harry had wondered whether these trips would still be allowed, given the increasingly tight security measure around the school, but was pleased to know that they were going ahead; it was always good to get out of the castle grounds for a few hours. And he really misses Devilish Temptations. The day before the trip Harry walked into Draco Malfoy. Malfoy looked… different in a very good way. He was much more muscular than he was in the beginning of the year, but not even close to James or Ron both of who had bodies like bodybuilders. But Harry could see Draco's muscles and his… dominance radiating from the boy. Ever since this weird heat started Harry could always feel this weird… feeling from certain people. A feeling that if they wanted to, they could take control of Harry sexually. It didn't matter if they wanted to do that, he just felt the feeling from people like Ron, Blaise, Seamus, …McLaggen. But surprisingly not from James. "Malfoy," Harry said, doing his best to keep a straight face. His heat started to grow inside him.

"Harry… I know that I might be late for this… but I want to talk," Draco said. "I just didn't have the confidence to do so before. …"

Harry stared at Draco for a moment. "Alright… … can we talk somewhere public?"

"Public?"

"I… it's nothing against you… it's just that… I don't want to be alone with anyone who isn't my brother," Harry admitted.

"Yeah, sure," Draco nodded. "Wanna head to the library? We'll take the table in the middle."

"Yes," Harry said, smiling in relief. They walked to the library, both boys keeping a safe distance from each other as they walked in silence. Once they reached the library, they ignored everyone who was busy working on their homework and sat in a table in the middle of aisles of bookcases; students walking around them and not giving them a second glance as they were too busy with their own work. Harry sat on one end of the table while Draco sat on the other. Draco stayed silent, allowing Harry to have the first word, he felt like the raven-haired boy needed it.

"What… what do you want to talk about?" Harry asked.

"Many things really, but first I want to say sorry," Draco said.

"Sorry?"

"Yes, for everything I have done to you since we've met," Draco said. "The journal you gave me… I've filled it already, with all the faults and terrible things I've done to you, to James, to Ron… and to Hermione. I've filled my journal with them to remind me of… of how terrible I was, and so that I know how much I need to repent for. I'm sure you noticed but… my body's different," Draco said bashfully, looking at his muscles. "The conversation I had with Ron Weasley in the beginning of the year… that was part of my repentance to him. I asked him to train me physically, to help me get a body that you would be comfortable with. I told Ron that he could ask me to do anything for him, just as long as he trained me. And, well, he made me wear a singlet. A disgusting one with Gryffindor colors," Draco leaned in. Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Draco Malfoy in anything red and gold. "I know, it was nasty," Draco smiled. "But it actually helped me. … It was rough but Weasley and I got through it and we even began talking on a regular basis. …Gave each other advice on certain matters. …He saw my scar…"

"You have a scar?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded. "I do, not one like you and James obviously, but still it is a scar just the same. A scar that, and I am being honest with you Harry, that I want your help removing. But before that, before we even do anything, I just want to be your friend… like I wanted to be so many years ago before everything got between us."

"My… friend… Draco, I don't know," Harry said. "The last person who tried to get close… he broke me."

"I know… Ron told me bits of it, but I just want to promise here that I will never break you. I just… I like you Harry, a lot, if we can't be boyfriends I am fine with that, I just want to be somebody you can trust," Draco whispered.

"Trust takes time, Draco. Are you sure?" Harry asked.

"I am positive Harry. I want to change, I want to be a better person. But as long as I have this scar… as long as you still hate me… I don't think I can really be one."

"Let me see it," Harry said. "Let me see your scar." He reached for Draco's arm. Draco flinched but allowed Harry to push the sleeve of his robe over his forearm, revealing the white cloth that covered it. Harry moved the cloth until he saw a hint of black. He breathed deeply. "How?"

"They forced me, my aunt and him," Draco said.

"Say his name," Harry demanded. "Don't say 'him' or 'the Dark Lord' but say his name."

"Okay… Vol—V-Voldemort," Draco stuttered, doing his best not to flinch at the sound of the name. "My aunt and V-Voldemort forced the Dark Mark on me. They invaded my home after my father was sent to Azkaban. I was sleeping, tired from packing, I was going to go to Blaise's for the summer. We were supposed to be heading to France. But my Aunt Bellatrix burst into my room with a few other Death Eaters. They woke me up, pulled me out of bed, and kept talking about a 'great honor' as my aunt dragged me out of my room. He—Voldemort was waiting in my father's study. He just gave this sickening grin as we entered. He said some words… but I was too sick to remember them. My aunt grabbed my arm and practically ripped my sleeve off. Voldemort pressed his wand against me… and I felt an awful pain like I never felt before; it was as if my arm was thrust directly into the fire, pressed against the burning wood as it cracked under my skin and a poker was etching into it. The pain grew and grew; and the more pain I felt the louder I yelled. Voldemort did not care, he wanted me to scream, he loved the way I screamed. My aunt Bellatrix just going on about how much of an 'honor' this was, and how she wishes she could feel the pain I was feeling again. I thought my arm was going to be burned off; I thought Voldemort was going to rip my arm out leaving only a bloody mess. When it was done… this was here but the pain did not stop in fact it just kept growing and I screamed, my voice going hoarse.

"Voldemort gave me a mission once the pain started to subside. He tasked me of… of killing Dumbledore. I don't want to do that, I don't want to become a murderer. I didn't ever want to side with that madman. Father always raved about him, talking about Voldemort as if he was a god… but he's nothing more than a monster. I don't like Dumbledore, I don't like how he's keeping useful spells illegal… but Voldemort… Voldemort is even worse." Draco shuttered and took a deep breath. "As soon as I could I ran to my room and Floo'ed to Blaise's home. He and Mrs. Zabini were having dinner. I fell out of their fireplace, still trembling in pain. There, soot-covered and trembling I told Blaise and Mrs. Zabini everything. Everything I've told you. They locked their fireplaces, blocked their house; made sure that nobody could get in. …The next day Blaise sent house-elves to get my things, and I've been living with him ever since. I hate him. I hate Voldemort. He turned my father into a fanatic… maybe he was always like that but he… he never was a dad to me. As sick as it sounds, Blaise is actually the closest thing I have to a dad. Could always rely on him."

A silence fell upon them. Harry gently let go of Draco's wrist and helped pull down his robe sleeve before leaning back into his chair, thinking. Draco waited, the seconds passing like hours as he stared at Harry's beautiful features. The people around them continued to write and move around; unaware or uncaring that a Slytherin and a Gryffindor were sitting together.

Finally, after what seemed like a millennium for both of them, Harry looked up at Draco. He had a soft smile on his face. "Thank you… for telling me this," he said. "I… I don't think we can be friends but… James and Blaise are having a date at Devilish Temptation during Hogsmeade. If you want, we could head over to the Three Broomsticks together… and talk, share a drink."

"I would love that Harry, thank you," Draco said. Both boys smiled.

"One more thing… if there's room… you should add this memory to your journal," Harry said. "As for your scar… I think I'll be happy to help. Can you promise me one thing?"

"What is it Harry?" Draco asked.

"Please don't break me. I don't want to be broken again… I don't even know if I can even be fixed," Harry admitted.

"Of course you can Harry. If I can find redemption, you can be fixed," Draco said sincerely. "And I will never, ever, do any action that would break you Harry. I care about you too much."

"Thank you Draco… I… thank you," Harry sighed.

"Anytime. I'll see you at Hogsmeade," Draco said standing up.

"See you at Hogsmeade."

They left at separate times. Once they were both gone, Cormac McLaggen stepped out from behind a bookcase and sat down in the same seat Draco was sitting at. He grabbed his arm at his side and looked at where Harry was sitting only moments ago. "I'm so sorry Harry," he said to the air. "I'm sorry. …" He shook his head, his eyes shut in pain. "No—dad stop please," he pleaded. "I'm not… I'm not an abomination. I'm not! Stop it! It hurts!" Cormac's face fell to the table and he covered it, making it look like he was sleeping, as he tried his best to stop his tears, but failing. His body shook and tears fell. "Why can't I be happy?"

Harry woke early on the morning of the trip, which was proving stormy, and whiled away the time until breakfast by reading his copy of Advanced Potion-Making. The more Harry pored over the book, the more he realized how much was in there, not only the handy hints and shortcuts on potions that were earning him such a glowing reputation with Slughorn, but also the imaginative little jinxes and hexes scribbled in the margins, which Harry was sure, judging by the crossings-out and revisions, that the Prince had invented himself.

Harry already attempted a few of the Prince's self-invented spells. There had been a hex that caused toenails to grow alarmingly fast; a jinx that glued the tongue to the roof of the mouth; and, perhaps most useful of all, Muffiato, a spell that filled the ears of anyone nearby with an unidentifiable buzzing, so that lengthy conversations could be held in class without being overheard. The only person who did not find these charms amusing was Hermione, who maintained a rigidly disapproving expression throughout and refused to talk at all if Harry had used the Muffiato spell on anyone in the vicinity.

Sitting up in bed, Harry turned the book sideways so as to examine more closely the scribbled instructions for a spell that seemed to have cause the Prince some trouble. There were many crossings-out and alterations, but finally, crammed into a corner of the page, the scribble:

Levicorpus (nvbl)

While the wind and sleet pounded relentlessly on the windows, and Neville snored loudly, Harry stared at the letters in brackets. Nvbl… that had to mean "nonverbal." Deciding to give it a go, Harry pointed his wand at nowhere in particular, gave it an upward flick and said "Levicorpus!" inside his head.

"Aaaaaaaargh!"

There was a flash of light and the room was full of voices: Everyone had woken up as James had let out a yell. Harry fell out of the bed in a panic. James was dangling upside down in midair as though an invisible hook had hoisted him up by the ankle.

"Sorry!" Harry yelled, though he was snickering as Dean and Seamus roared with laughter. "Hang on—I'll let you down—"

He groped for the potion book and riffled through it in a panic, trying to find the right page; at last he located it and deciphered one cramped word underneath the spell: Praying that this was the counter-jinx, Harry thought Liberacorpus! with all his might.

There was another flash of light, and James fell in a heap onto his mattress.

"Sorry," Harry repeated weakly, while Dean and Seamus continued to roar with laughter. Somehow Ron was sleeping through all of this.

"Harry," James said in a muffled voice, "you are in so much trouble."

By the time they had got dressed, padded themselves out with several of Mrs. Weasley's hand-knitted sweaters and carrying cloaks, scarves, and gloves, James's shock had subsided and he had decided that Harry's new spell was highly amusing. After breakfast, the twins along with Ron and Hermione started to make their walk towards Hogsmeade, all of them wincing as they stepped out into the wind and sleet.

The walk into Hogsmeade was no enjoyable. Harry wrapped his scarf over his lower face; the exposed part soon felt both raw and numb. The road to the village was full of students bent double against the bitter wind. More than once Harry wondered whether they might not have had a better time in the warm common room, and when they finally reached Hogsmeade and saw that Zonko's Joke Shop had been boarded up, Harry took it as confirmation that this trip was destined to be different. Ron pointed, with a thickly gloved hand, toward Honeydukes, which was mercifully open, and Harry, James, and Hermione staggered in his wake into the crowded shop.

"Thank God," Ron shivered as they were enveloped by warm, toffee-scented air. "Let's stay here all afternoon. …I'm sure Colin won't mind."

James m'boy!" said a booming voice from behind them.

"Oh no," Harry muttered. The four of them turned to see Professor Slughorn, who was wearing an enormous furry hat and an overcoat with matching fur collar, clutching a large bag of crystalized pineapple, and occupying at least a quarter of the shop.

"Harry, James, that's three of my little suppers you've missed now!" Slughorn said, poking them genially in the chest. "It won't do m'boys, I'm determined to have you! Miss Granger loves them, don't you?"

"Yes," Hermione said helplessly, "they're really—"

"So why don't you two come along, James?" Slughorn demanded.

"Well, we've had Quidditch practice, Professor," James said, who had indeed been scheduling practices every time Slughorn had sent them a little, violet ribbon-adorned invitation.

"Well, I certainly expect you to win your first match after all this hard work!" Slughorn said. "But a little recreation never hurts anybody. Now, how about Monday night, you can't possibly want to practice in this weather. …"

"We have an appointment with Dumbledore," Harry lied easily.

"Unlucky again!" Slughorn cried dramatically. "Ah, well …you can't evade me forever boys!"

And with a regal wave, he waddled out of the shop, taking as little notice of Ron as though he had been a display of Cockroach Clusters.

"I'm looking for Colin," Ron muttered before walking away from them. Hermione frowned and looked at James and Harry. "Now what?" she asked them, looking at the place where Ron had just been. "We can't just leave him alone can we?"

"Well actually… I think it's best if we let him cool down," James said. "Besides… I kind of have a date today."

"You do?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Yeah, and I have to get going. Ron'll be fine, I'm sure," James said. "See you at the castle then."

Hermione stared flabbergasted. "Seriously? He's seriously having a date in this weather?" she asked.

"Yeah um… Hermione…" Harry said, looking a bit sheepish.

"Oh not you too," she exhaled.

"Yeah… I'm really sorry to leave you like this," Harry said squinting slightly.

"Fine, fine go. I'll just hang out with Ginny, I guess. You know, you boys been doing this a lot lately," Hermione said. "Keeping me out of things."

"It's not much," Harry said. "And it's umm… mostly boy stuff. Anyway, bye Hermione." Harry raced out of shop and into the sleet again. The biting wind seemed to kill the small flame inside him as he made his way towards the Three Broomsticks, where Draco was waiting.

The Hogsmeade entrance to Devilish Intentions was smartly hidden down an alleyway near Hog's Head. There was no goblin to greet the students who enter, instead all they had to do was speak the password and the door would open up. "Freezing," James muttered to himself as he struggled to the wooden wall that hid the door. "Friend!" he shouted at the wall and all but ran inside as it opened up. Warm air greeted him and James quickly pulled off his scarf as he entered into the international pub. "James! Over here," Blaise smiled, waving at him from a table. He was wearing a dark-emerald sweater. James shared the smile and made his way to Blaise. "Hope the weather didn't beat you too bad," Blaise said. He placed his hand on James's and swore. "You're freezing! Let me get you something to warm you up."

"Thanks," James said. Blaise stood up and came back a minute later with two drinks. James just finished taking off his extra layers and placing them on the seat next to him as Blaise placed the drinks on the table. "Any colder and Harry and I would have froze out there," James said.

Blaise chuckled. "Either of you didn't think of using a Warming Charm?"

"No… had a bit of a rude awakening," James said.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, Harry wanted to try out a new spell only thing he tried it out on me," James said smiling. "Yanked me into the air by my ankle! It was hilarious! Well after the fact… during so I was mostly angry at Harry for waking me up."

"So what did you do?" Blaise smirked. James leaned forward. "Simple, he's wearing one of the special clothes I've brought for him. It's underneath all the layers of clothing he has, but it's still there."

Blaise laughed. "You, are evil," he laughed pointing at James who just grinned knowingly and nodded.

"I have a great sense of clothing for Harry, I don't know what you're talking about," James said.

Blaise laughed and shook his head. "Man I miss this," he sighed.

"Me too," James said. He picked up his drink and took a long sip from it, the liquid heating him up immensely. "Oh, we have to thank you. For what you told Harry about his heat thing," James said. "He's not shifting uncomfortably anymore so I'm guessing he's doing it and it's working."

"I had a feeling," Blaise said. "So he doing it while you're in the bed or is he actually staying in his own?"

"His own," James chuckled. "Not that I wouldn't mind seeing him doing it… I just want to make sure that this heat isn't killing him."

"What do you mean? The heat thing is purely sexual; not dangerous at all… at least not self-inflicting dangerous," Blaise said.

"Yeah but… guys like McLaggen are always there to take advantage of a boy like Harry," James said. "This is the first time we've been separated since his heat thing actually started; I'm just worried about him, you know?"

"Of course I know, he's our boy," Blaise said. "It's only natural that you worry about him. I do too."

James laughed. "You sound like Harry's your kid or something."

"Guess that means he'll have to call me 'Daddy,'" Blaise smirked.

"As if! If he's calling one of us 'Daddy' it'll be me!" James said.

"So what does that leave me with? Will you call me 'Daddy,' James?" Blaise asked, leaning towards the Potter, who blushed. "I'll take that as a yes," Blaise smirked. "I'll be a very good Daddy for you James, don't worry." Blaise snickered.

James shook his head and sighed. "We're on a date and we're talking about who's going to be Harry's Daddy?" he asked.

"Yeah, why not?" Blaise asked. "We care for him a lot obviously. It's like one weird happy family. The two Daddies and their son."

James gave a laugh. "Just don't go touching our son," he said looking up at Blaise with an amused look. "He has to be innocent forever."

"Well with my instruction with his heat, I doubt he's innocent anymore," Blaise said.

"Then I'll rephrase… Harry will be never be touched by anyone who isn't me. He is my brother… only I can love him the way he needs to be loved. Anyone else would just break his heart," James said.

Blaise frowned at that but said nothing. He took a sip from his drink and studied his date's body for a moment. "How about you?" he asked.

"Me?"

"Yeah, are you allowed to be touched by someone who isn't Harry?" Blaise asked.

James's cheeks flared red again. "I…I uh… yes?"

Blaise smirked. He reached for James's hand and held it. "Then why can't Harry? If you're allowed to be touched… why can't Harry?" Blaise breathed. He pulled James's hand close to him so that there was barely an inch between his lips and the hand. James gulped, his eyes staring at Blaise's lips.

"I… he…."

"Well James?" Blaise breathed, his warm breath hitting James's cold hand. James just stuttered. Blaise smirked and lightly kissed James's hand. "Can Harry touch someone else?"

"Yes," James said meekly.

"Good," Blaise said. He didn't let go of James's hand but instead pulled on it, forcing the muscular teen to stand and move to sit next to him. "I like this better, don't you?"

James nodded and smiled shyly. "I do," he said.

"Good, because between you and me… I'm not letting go," Blaise said, lifting their held hands to eye-level and kissing it.

"Yeah…" James said, smiling. Deep inside him he felt a tiny spark, like the strike of a match, but figured it to a mixture of the warm drink and nerves.

"Oh! I have something great to tell you," Blaise said. "It's about McLaggen."

The air around them changed. James sat straighter and stared at Blaise, any confusion or lust in their eyes gone and replaced by seriousness. "What is it?"

"I've wrote a letter to my mother some weeks ago, asking her to look into the McLaggen family," Blaise said. "Specifically, looking for something we can used to keep Cormac away from Harry. This morning, I've gotten a letter from my mother."

"What did it say?" James asked.

"She befriended Cormac's mother. She's already gathered plenty of information that Cormac would never want people to know; things that would go against his… how do you put it… gallant personality," Blaise said. "She'll bring me the full details on Wednesday, she feels that Cormac's mother is hiding something that we desperately need."

"That's amazing! How can your mother do that?" James asked.

"Nobody can say no to a Zabini," Blaise smirked. "We have a way of charming people. I mean, look at where you are."

James looked down and blushed when he saw that he and Blaise were sitting directly next to each other. The match inside him grew a little more. When did this happened?

"So what are you going to do, once you have the information?" James asked.

"Blackmail him of course," Blaise shrugged. "If he tries to even talk to Harry, we'll let the information slip and everyone in Hogwarts will know."

"Good," James said.

"Good?" Blaise chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "And here I thought you would be condemning what Draco and I are doing."

"You know my brother and I," James said. "You know what we dabble with. We're not exactly really Light wizards, are we?" He smirked.

"No, no you guys certainly aren't," Blaise chuckled. "But that's what I love about you two. You and Harry has this incredible thirst for magic… and are both incredibly good at it! It's amazing."

"I don't know what you're talking about," James said. "Harry's the one who's good at magic, not me."

"Excuse me? Have you seen your potion-making? And how about dueling? You're the best at both James! You even make your own potions! Like come on!" Blaise praised, kissing James's hand again.

"I guess… but Harry—"

"James, shut up about Harry for a moment, and listen to me," Blaise commanded, his voice sparking the light in James even more. "You are amazing. I mean look at your body, your muscles—every inch of perfection that showcases your time and dedication to a cause. Your potion-making skills is beyond measure, you always appear relaxed no matter how stressful or complex the potion is, and you sing while doing it! Who else can say that? Harry might be amazing at Charms and Transfiguration, but Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts are your strong-points. You fought Voldemort and survived… twice! You taught everyone last year at that D.A. and everyone, including Harry, looks up to you for guidance. You are loving, caring, strong, amazing… so many things James. You are everything that I want in a person and more. I am just lucky enough to be your friend. … Harry is great, but he is nothing without you. Just like how I am nothing without you as well."

"Blaise…"

"What I'm trying to say here is… James Sirius Potter, I love you. And I want you to be my boyfriend. Will you?"

James stared at Blaise. "You already asked…"

"But that was just for one date. This time, I am asking for real," Blaise said. "I know that this isn't something you're supposed to ask on the first date, but with our history—"

"Yes," James interrupted. "I'll be your boyfriend."

Blaise's smile couldn't get bigger. Without warning he jumped onto James and kissed him deeply. James gave a noise of shock but quickly melt into the kiss, wrapping his arms around the skinny, tall Slytherin as Blaise took full control of the kiss. They both found themselves moaning, the match-flame inside James burned and grew to a roaring fire that stretched throughout his body. He felt hot, his forehead sweating and the only relief form this sudden flame was Blaise's lips. He continued to kiss, groaning and opening up to Blaise as the taller boy straddled on his lap and thrust his tongue into James's mouth. Their tongues met and battled for dominance, but the more Blaise controlled James, the more the flames burned and he felt pleasure. He opened his mouth and moaned, "Hot, hot," against Blaise's mouth.

Blaise moved away, still sitting on James's lap. "What?"

"Hot—feel hot," James groaned. He gasped with realization. "Harry—he felt the same—we both have it!"

"The heat? You have the heat as well?" Blaise asked.

James nodded. Blaise chuckled and caressed James's cheek, his fingers like soothing ice cubes drifting across his flaming face. "Then we'll just have to kiss it away for now, don't we?"

"Yeah… kiss," James said before pulling Blaise in for another snog session.

Ron found Colin with his brother. The two Creevey brothers were in Gladrags Wizardwear, a clothing shop. Ron spotted them through the window and stomped inside, shivering from the cold. "Ron!" Colin smiled as soon as the door closed and ran past racks of robes and other clothes to kiss his boyfriend. Ron instinctively picked Colin up with one arm and held him to him like a big baby (it was helpful that Colin was on the small side).

"Hey baby," Ron said, kissing him. Colin wrapped his arms around Ron's neck and looked at him, frowning slightly. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, just… I don't know, frustrated," Ron said.

"Well, I know how to fix that," Colin smirked and kissed Ron again. Dennis walked up to them and pretended to look grossed-out, making fake gagging sounds.

Ron chuckled and swooped the tiny Creevey up with his other arm, holding them both to his chest. "Hello Dennis," Ron smirked.

"Put me down Ron! I'm not your baby!" Dennis protested.

"You sure? There's enough of me for both my boys," Ron smirked.

"Eww gross!" Dennis gaged but blushed. Ron laughed and let Dennis to the floor, but still held onto Colin. For some reason the two boys could always make him laugh.

"So boys, what are you guys doing in here?" he asked.

"Colin needs new socks and we thought it would be great to buy our parents some robes of their own," Dennis said.

"New socks huh?" Ron said looking around. "What type of shop is this? I never even noticed this place before."

"It's a quirky clothes shop," Colin said. "But I'm sure there's some good clothes here!"

"Speaking of clothes… I think there are some things we should talk about Colin… by ourselves," Ron said, a suddenly lewd expression on his face. "Unless your brother's ready to admit he loves me too."

"No."

"Over there," Colin pointed to a corner of the shop that was empty. Ron carried him there and found a small stool which he sat on. Colin moved so the was sitting comfortably on Ron's lap. "What do you want to talk about?"

Ron's face got extremely red. "Remember when we started dating, and I told you I uhh have some… fetishes?" he asked.

"Yeah," Colin said.

"I want to talk with you about one of them. …I want to see if you uhh want to start it," Ron said.

"Well, I have to know what it is first," Colin chuckled.

"Okay. But don't judge me, okay?" Ron said. Colin nodded. "I love Dom/sub play," Ron said. "I love the dynamic, the feeling… and fantasized every day about being in a relationship like that. Particularly an old friend of mine… let's call him 'Snuffles' … opened me up to this thing called umm 'Puppy play. Nothing will change! It's just that at times I'll ask you to act like a puppy, my puppy, and you'll um… do everything I'll ask you to do—"

"Sounds fun!" Colin smiled. Ron stared at him shocked. "I like Dom/sub play as well… and yeah, I'll be your puppy… and your baby," Colin smiled like a little kid in a candy shop. "Does that mean I'll have to call you 'Sir'? Or how about 'Master' since you'll be my owner? Oh! How about 'Daddy' since people who own pets seem themselves at parents?"

"I—uhh… we can talk about that later," Ron said, his voice unusually high. "For now… Ron's fine."

"Okay Ron," Colin said, grabbing his Ron's shirt and licking his cheek. "Your puppy is ready to listen."

"This will involve training, you know, lots of it."

"I'm ready."

"I'm going to ask you to do a lot of things," Ron said. "Wear some things you'll might not be comfortable with."

"Did you see where we are?" Colin chuckled. "I'm ready for anything you throw at me."

"Good," Ron said, his voice deepening. "Kiss me then. Like a puppy."

Colin leaped at Ron's face and started licking everywhere he could like an excitable puppy. Then, once his face was spit-soaked, Ron grabbed Colin's hair roughly and pulled him into a dominating kiss.

"I think this will be good for us Pup," Ron said, his voice practically growling.

Colin smiled and barked playfully before they both laughed.

Harry and Draco were sitting in a booth in the Three Broomsticks. They were sitting on opposite sides of the table, each holding a butterbeer and sitting in silence. They didn't know how to even begin; Harry was too busy worried about James and Draco seemed too nervous to even talk. They looked at each other, stared for a moment, before looking back down at their drinks. Harry's heat was starting to irritate him. He could feel a small fire burning in his pelvis, threatening to dance either to his rear or front. He shifted uncomfortably and Draco looked up.

"How is… is your heat bothering you?" Draco asked.

"Yeah," Harry said. "It's getting worse."

Silence.

"Thank you for… agreeing to meet somewhere public," Harry said. "I'm sorry if this inconvenience you."

"Of course, it doesn't," Draco said. "I told you that I don't mind at all. McLaggen did some horrible things to you… it'll take time to build up that trust."

"Yeah… it will," Harry said.

"But maybe this will make you feel better," Draco said. "I've lettered the Weasley twins, the ones who owns that joke shop, and ordered pranks, jinxes, anything that they could send. All for using on Cormac."

"You did?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, it's a huge order too. So whenever the idiot thinks of even stepping close to you, he'll be peppered with enough dungbombs that he'll need a shower for a weak to get the smell off," Draco grinned.

Harry gave small laugh. "That'll… be nice to see. I think I'll have to be there, so I can put it in my journal."

Draco laughed and smiled, "I'll have to put it in my journal as well."

"What did the twins say?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, I have no response yet. But I'll tell you the moment it comes," Draco said. Harry nodded. "So… Blaise tells me that you and James keep skipping Slughorn's parties," he said.

"Yeah, thank god," Harry muttered. "Ron is angry that he pays attention to us and completely ignores him. Poor guy."

"You should have seen the way he talked to me on our first lesson," Draco said. "I mentioned my grandfather and he completely blew me off!"

"Guess he heard about your father… sorry," Harry said.

"No, it's okay, he's a stain. Don't worry about him. Or my mother," Draco said. He looked at his arm and sighed. "As soon as this thing's off I don't care who wins the war. In fact they could kill each other and we'll lose nothing."

"Draco!" Harry gasped. "You can't mean that!"

"I do," Draco said. "I hate Voldemort. But I don't like Dumbledore either. The spells Blaise told me you and James practice… the spells that help people like us… they're all illegal, not that Voldemort cares, but they're still all illegal thanks to Dumbledore and his lot."

"But still you have to admit that one is better than the other," Harry said.

"Maybe, but that's why I'm hoping that they both, you know, just kill each other, have the war end in a sort of draw," Draco said. "That way we can just pick up the pieces and continue living our lives. Look outside Harry, that is Dumbledore's fault just as much as Voldemort's." Draco pointed to the window. Harry looked to see the boarded-up shops and empty streets of Hogsmeade.

"I guess you're right… and if Dumbledore learns certain things about James and I he would be very angry," Harry said.

"Like what?" Draco asked. "If you don't mind me asking," he added on.

"Like I still talk to snakes, I'm still using my gift as a Parselmouth," Harry said. "We're both magically more powerful than Dumbledore knows—he doesn't know about my journals or James's potions."

"James makes potions?" Draco asked.

"On his off time," Harry said. "He hadn't really had the time to do so lately."

"Too busy with school?" Draco asked.

"And Dumbledore's lessons," Harry said.

"Wait, Dumbledore is giving you lessons?" Draco asked.

"Yeah, we're going over Voldemort's past," Harry nodded. "One second," He pulled out his wand and muttered, "Muffiato." He pocketed his wand. "There, nobody will hear us now. Dumbledore's making us view memories of Voldemort's past. I don't know why… it makes no sense to me yet. I'm… I'm not a fighter, James is. James was always the fighter between the two of us. He fights and I heal his wounds. That's how it always was."

"You're scared that you might lose him, aren't you? Because of the war," Draco said.

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "If it wasn't for that stupid prophecy… none of this would be happening."

"Prophecy?" Draco asked. "I've read about that in the Daily Prophet. You mean it's real?"

"Yeah… it is," Harry said sadly. "Lately I've been looking at it, trying to find some way to save my brother."

"Looking at it?" Draco asked.

Harry pulled out a journal from his cloak and turned towards the end of the book. "This is from last year," he said. He gently pushed the journal closer to Draco. Draco looked at the book. A couple of pages after the one Harry opened to was completely soaked and wrinkled. Curiosity got the better of Draco and he turned to it.

"That's the page Sirius dies on," Harry said. "I kept crying on it…"

"Sorry," Draco muttered. He turned back to the page Harry showed him and looked down. Harry tapped the page and the memory began to play. A blue crystal ball filled with smoke appeared, and an unearthly voice began to speak:

"The ones with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark them as his equal, but they will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The ones with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

"It's about us," Harry said. "At least, that is what Dumbledore told us…"

"This is bad," Draco frowned. "Dumbledore is certain that this prophecy is true?"

"Yeah."

"Then he'll make sure that you two fight," Draco said, "this is horrible Harry! There has to be some way to get you two out of it!"

"I don't know how," Harry said, his voice quickening and growing frantic. "I've thought about this so much, I've listened to this stupid prophecy so much—I just can't think of anything! But I have to think of something, I have to get James out of this stupid prophecy because if I don't he'll die! And if he dies I can't live with myself, I—"

"Harry!" Draco yelled. He grabbed both of Harry's arms. The heat inside Harry cooled instantly to the touch. "Harry… calm down… calm down, Harry," Draco soothed. "You're not alone. We'll help each other, we'll figure this out together, don't worry. We'll get rid of my Dark Mark and we'll get both of you out of this stupid prophecy. You'll see."

"Thanks," Harry sniffled. "Thank you Draco… I… I'm sorry that I'm so weak right now."

"Don't be sorry, you're not showing weakness, you're showing concern, love. Love is not a weakness Harry, the absence of love is," Draco said. Harry smiled softly. He looked at Draco and asked, "Can you move… so that you're next to me?"

"Yeah, of course," Draco said. Still holding Harry's arms, he moved down the booth until he was sitting next to him. Harry relaxed into him, resting on his chest, and crossing Draco's arms around him.

"This will sound stupid… but I can only really relax if I'm being held by someone with muscles," Harry admitted.

"It's not stupid, I think it's cute," Draco said softly. Enjoying the weight of Harry on him. "You stay here as long as you want, okay?"

"Thanks…"

"So, I've heard you've been practicing Quidditch a lot, want to tell me more about that?" Draco asked, changing the subject. Harry was grateful for it and began telling Draco about his practice sessions and how strong his team is this year. The rest of their trip was spent on safe topics, Harry stayed resting on Draco's chest during the entirely of their date. When it was time to go Harry gave Draco a chaste kiss on his cheek and thanked him for everything before leaving.

Draco left after Harry, and caught up with Blaise. When they returned to the Slytherin Dormitory, there was a letter waiting for them.

Malfoy, Zabini,

Sorry for the wait, we had to make sure that you two were actually serious about your intentions and what happened to Harry. Here's your package plus a few extra, give this McLaggen boy a living hell and don't forget to come back to Weasley Wizard Wheezes for your wizarding needs.

Fred and George Weasley

P.S. James loves chocolate and Harry is very ticklish.

A/N: The couples are together; Ron and Colin are entering their next stage, and there is something wrong with McLaggen. Are we sure that what the boys planning to do to him is right?

Himekitsune24: Draco and Blaise are planning to unleash hell on Cormac. However… it seems like he's already living in one.

David-El: Hi friend! It's alright take your time reading this, and Ron went through a little character development… he's going to go through more but it's a start. As for Cormac's secret… it's going to change everyone's opinions. Some might have already guessed but… it's sad.

Jokul Frosti: I can't help it! It's too easy making him the villain! And yeah, Cormac accidently set off Harry's heat. That and the "wife kink" that Viktor and Harry joked about… well, they triggered something in McLaggen.

I.C.2014: Dumbledore is very creepy, isn't he?

Littlesprout: I bet you I can change your opinion on McLaggen in… three chapters.

CloudZzFluffyBedsOfWhite: It couldn't be jealous Hermione! She's batting on the other team! Another title for this story could have been the Gay Golden Trio. And see? The Draco/Harry started already lol. And yeah… Cormac's only crime is that he was too hasty because of reasons we don't know yet; and it looks like Dumbledore's going to be using him. Poor kid.

AnnaMerteuil: Next chapter I bet I can change your opinion on McLaggen!

Leopardblack: First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes babies in the baby carriage! And James is basically a buffed up version of his Dad. So imagine if James Potter the father went to the gym for some years.

Izrehu: Thanks, I like submissive Harry. Submissive Harry just seems natural, you know?