Draco would never admit to it, but he was avoiding Harry, at least until he had a better handle on "the situation." He knew he wanted the Savior to seek him out, to desire his presence more than anyone else's. He wanted those piercing emerald eyes to look at him and him alone, and the intensity with which he desired it scared him. This was meant to be a business arrangement, at least on his side, and he was starting to get personally involved. Ever since Saturday, he had not been able to get Potter off of his mind. Blazing green eyes and quiet strength clouded his thoughts, both waking and asleep. Last night he had woken up from a particularly vivid dream with an erection the likes of which he hadn't had since he'd hit puberty at thirteen. He had never been at a point in his life where a relationship with a man was feasible, and now that he was able to make decisions for himself, there was so much more pressure to make the right choice. Draco had never had anyone want to spend time with him solely for his personality, and his whole plan rode on Harry wanting him. If he allowed himself to feel truly for Potter, it meant that he had something to lose. Before, if the plan didn't work out, it was no harm no foul, but should he grow to have feelings for the Gryffindor, losing him would be devastating.
Draco felt Potter's gaze on the back of his neck several times during breakfast, but studiously avoided making eye contact. It was Monday though, and they had too many classes together to keep this up. Their first shared class was Defense against the Dark Arts, and Professor Weasley was known for pairing up members of different houses in order to promote positive inter-house relations, which sounded well and good in practice, but only made Draco's life fairly difficult. Because there were only 9 students in the N.E.W.T level class (4 Gryffindors, 2 Ravenclaws, a Hufflepuff, and him), there was a fairly good chance that Draco would be paired off with a Gryffindor. He just hoped that it wasn't Granger. She was suspicious of his intentions with Harry, and he didn't want to confront her yet, not while he was standing on such shaky ground himself. He needed to be more sure of his standing with Potter first, and more importantly figure out how he felt about his mark. He was so deep in thought, he didn't notice the person calling his name until a foreign hand landed on his shoulder.
Instinctually, Draco grabbed the offending limb with his left hand and pulled out his wand with the other. He had had several students try and assault him when he had first returned to Hogwarts, proving their mettle to their housemates, and for many children of families that had remained neutral, showing that they were with the Order. He generally ignored them, deflecting attacks, but never responding. Off-guard as he was, Draco assumed that this unknown person was touching him with less than positive intentions and he reacted instinctually, years of training under the watchful eye of his father taking over. Once he turned to face his attacker, he found his want pressing against the column of a long, milky neck and eyes locked with startled emerald orbs. 'Shite,' thought Draco. This was absolutely the worst thing that could have possibly happened. He had been making such progress with Harry, and now he was (or at least would be perceived as) attacking him in a hallway. He jerked his wand arm down and let go of Potter's hand, taking a step back as he did. This was grounds for expulsion, he was in precarious enough standing with the Ministry of Magic that this may even get him put back into Azkaban. Possibly worse, there was no way for Draco to feign ignorance to Harry's gaze now. A confrontation was imminent, and he didn't need to be a Seer to know that what happened now would dictate both of their futures.
"I'm so sorry-" They both started talking at once. Potter blushed scarlet and held his arm out, gesturing for Draco to go first. Draco had no idea what he should say to alleviate this situation so he just blurted out everything he was thinking.
"I didn't mean to attack you. You must understand, people are not happy with me being here. Some are content to insult me and let me know how unwelcome I am at Hogwarts, others feel the need to make me pay for the sins of my father."
Harry's emerald eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared in fury, and Draco's breath hitched at the simultaneously terrifying and arousing image it made. This was Harry freaking Potter, of course he understood. Had he not suffered the same fate when he said that the Dark Lord had returned? Ridiculed daily by both the Daily Prophet and students, Draco included? How could Draco use this as an excuse when Harry had so rarely responded violently?
"People have tried to assault you? Within the confines of the castle? Why have you not told anyone? Why have you not told me?" Harry rattled off, questioning Draco faster than he could begin to formulate an answer, let alone respond. Draco's breathe caught again in his throat; could Harry not be mad at him, but at those who had previously tried to accost him? Was there no limit to his penchant for self-sacrifice? Draco had, not 5 minutes ago, held a wand to his neck, with the full intent of attacking, and Harry's response was to be angry for him. It was a really incredible thing to be his friend, and the more that Draco got to know Harry, the more he understood why people were so willing to lay down their lives for him.
"You are such a Gryffindor, you know that?" Draco said matter-of-factly, a small smile on his lips, "I am a member of the most hated house, the sole child of one of the most hated families in the country. Do you think that people are going to go out of their way to make my education easy? I am not only alive, but I am free to finish my schooling, while so many people died during the war. Of course people will respond negatively." There was no malice in his voice, he was far beyond that point. He accepted the situation as it was, considering self-pity to be below him, unless it served a greater purpose.
A bell rang throughout the castle, signaling that class would begin imminently, but Harry made no motion to move and Draco was powerless to break eye contact. He was vaguely aware of the hallway emptying, students filing into their respective classes, but Harry's gaze never wavered, his eyes searching and intense.
"I want you here." Harry said after a long period of silence, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I don't think I'd know what to do with myself if you weren't here. Now that we've reached this peace, I feel like I've been so missing out all these years. Who knows how differently things may have turned out if I'd given you a chance all those years ago?"
Harry reached out and took Draco's forearm into his large, slightly trembling hands. He pushed up Draco's sleeve and robe, exposing the faded Dark Mark. Draco watched with wide eyes as Harry brushed the pads of his fingers, rough will callouses, over the Mark, almost reverently. It was both blasphemous and incredibly erotic to see and feel. His arm felt like it was thrumming with some kind of foreign energy that he realized must be Harry's magic. It was heady and Draco felt lightheaded with a sudden wave of lust. It seemed like his subconscious was making the decision for him. He wanted Harry, and what Draco wanted, he usually got. He slowly brought his other hand up to cover Harry's, dark green eyes meeting his. Draco had never felt anything like this before; he felt both like he was burning alive and yet frozen in place, petrified as easily by Harry's gaze as if he'd been a basilisk.
They stood there, alone in the hallway, born enemies trapped in an unspoken conversation for what seemed like forever to Draco. He was terrified by what he saw in Harry's eyes, too open for his own good. In those sparkling emerald eyes he saw hope and companionship and the promise of more. In a moment of vulnerability, combined by a very uncharacteristic showing of Gryffindor bravery, Draco made a rash decision. With his unmarked arm, he grabbed the back of Harry's neck and pulled him into a bruising kiss.