Hi lovelies! Please don't kick my ass for such a long break! I promise this chapter is worth it!

But I do apologize that it took me soooo long to finish this. Literally, everything started coming for me. School assignments came in hard after midterms and the depression was like, "Omg hi it's been so long" and I honestly just wanted to sleep with my dog and just recharge. But I will finish this book even if it KILLS me.

Aaaaanyways... Thank you to the lovely Leila1589 for the beta 3

Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Harry retreated into the comfortable space of the Room of Requirements. That room had become his safe haven. He refused to go out after Draco had left him and his friends bullying. Rumours were spreading around the castle about him. Teachers were questioning his housemates about his absences. He couldn't care. This was probably the first time in Harry's life that he had felt this. Sadness. Depression. Harry thought he deserved to have a little breakdown if he wanted to.

As he sat in the dimly lit room, lost in his thoughts, he contemplated the turmoil of his emotions. The door to the room appeared, and he turned his gaze toward it. But when the door swung open, revealing Draco's familiar silhouette, Harry's heart leapt with a mixture of surprise and longing. Draco stepped into the room, his gray eyes filled with understanding and concern. He closed the door behind him, and the click of the latch echoed through the room.

"Harry," Draco said softly, his voice a comforting presence in the otherwise silent space.

Harry looked up, his green eyes meeting Draco's. There was something in the way Draco's gaze held his, a mixture of empathy and sincerity that touched Harry's heart.

"Draco," Harry replied, his voice tinged with vulnerability, "I didn't expect to see you here."

Draco approached slowly, his movements deliberate and gentle. He took a seat beside Harry, their shoulders almost touching, "I've been searching for you, Harry. I couldn't stand the thought of you hiding like this."

Harry felt a lump in his throat, and his eyes welled up with unshed tears. The weight of the isolation and the pain of the bullying had become too much to bear, and Draco's presence was a lifeline in the darkness.

"I didn't know where else to go," Harry admitted, his voice breaking, "I'm just so tired of it all. And then you left so suddenly when you returned. I – I just didn't know what to do."

Draco placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder, and the touch sent a shiver of warmth through Harry's body, "I'm sorry… There's a lot that happened while I was away. I was being stupid and thought you wouldn't want to see me at the time. I think we have a lot to talk about."

"Draco," Harry began, his voice trembling and falling onto Draco's shoulder, "I can't escape this overwhelming sadness. It's like a heavy weight on my chest, and I don't know how to make it go away."

Draco listened intently, his grey eyes filled with empathy and understanding. He had seen the toll that the rumours and the bullying had taken on Harry, and he knew the depth of the pain his friend was experiencing.

"I'm so sorry you're going through this, Harry," Draco said softly, "You don't have to face it alone, though. I'm here for you, and I want to help in any way I can."

Tears welled up in Harry's eyes, and he continued to confide in Draco about the depression that had left him feeling trapped and hopeless. He talked about the isolation, the loss of self-esteem, and the constant sense of sadness that he couldn't shake.

As he spoke, Draco offered a comforting presence, a listening ear, and a shoulder to lean on. He understood that depression was a heavy burden, and he didn't try to offer easy solutions or dismiss Harry's pain. Harry felt a sense of relief as he shared his feelings with Draco. He burrowed himself into Draco's chest, hugging the blonde tightly. Harry could feel Draco's slim fingers combing through his hair at a soothing pace. His hiccupping breaths were slowing with every touch Draco offered.

It wasn't long until Harry felt himself drifting off. He felt the world around him moving and strong arms enveloping him. Soon soft sheets of a bed were against his skin, and he was enclosed in warm, loving arms.

The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm and gentle glow in the room. It was a tranquil morning, and the air was filled with a sense of serenity that contrasted with the tumultuous emotions they had been grappling with.

Harry stirred, blinking his eyes open and turning to find Draco beside him. Draco's grey eyes met Harry's, and they exchanged a small, reassuring smile. It was a smile that held a promise and understanding. The room had provided them with a bed, its sheets and blankets warm and inviting. Harry briefly remembered the strong arms carrying him to the bed.

"Good morning," Draco said softly, his voice filled with sleep.

"Good morning," Harry replied, his voice gentle, "I'm really glad you came last night and I'm glad you're here now."

Draco reached out and brushed Harry's hair out of his face, "I'm glad to be here, too, Harry."Top of Form

They laid there for what felt like hours but could have only been a few minutes. Draco shifted slightly, his grey eyes meeting Harry's with a mixture of vulnerability and hesitation. The memory of his father's recent death weighed heavily on Draco's mind, and he wanted to address it with Harry.

"Harry," Draco began softly, his voice tender, "I wanted to talk to you about what happened – about my father. It'll be a difficult subject, but I think you should know."

Harry tilted his head up to Draco; his gaze filled with empathy, "Of course, Draco. I'm here to listen. You found me after all."

Draco took a deep breath, his grey eyes focused on Harry's green ones, "My father, Lucius, passed away over break. He was killed because I refused to take the Dark Mark. I know he wasn't the best of man, but he was still my father and it's left me with a lot to process."

Harry reached out and placed a comforting hand on Draco's cheek, offering his support, "I'm so sorry, Draco. I can't even imagine how that must feel."

"I can't help but wonder if he ever found the peace he was searching for," Draco continued, his voice tinged with sadness. He pulled Harry closer to him and embraced the brunette. He hid his face in the green-eyed boy's hair, "He made choices that led him down a dark path, and I'm not sure he ever truly reconciled with them."

Harry snuggled into Draco, "It's natural to have questions and doubts, Draco. Your father's journey through was filled with complexities, and it's okay to grapple with those feelings."

Draco pulled Harry back from him and stared at him with a tender look. He stared to search Harry's eyes. Harry smiled up at him. Draco cupped his check and slowly leaned in. Before Harry had realized it, their lips brushed softly, a gentle and tentative connection that sent shivers down their spines. Harry stood frozen before he melted into the warmth and softness of Draco's lips.

The world around them seemed to fade into the background as they continued to kiss, their lips moving in perfect harmony. Harry's hand found its way to Draco's cheek, his touch warm and reassuring, while Draco's fingers moved to thread through Harry's hair, pulling him closer.

As they broke the kiss, their foreheads resting together, their breaths coming in shallow, they locked eyes once more, "How do you always know what to say?" Draco murmured, "You constantly say the right thing to ease my worries."

Harry rolled his eyes with a laugh, "I do not!"

"You do," Draco huffed.

Silence filled the space between them. Harry hid a smiling face in Draco's chest and Draco held him close, pretending he didn't know that Harry was trying to hide.

"I've wanted to do that for a long time," Harry admitted, his voice muffled by Draco's clothes.

Draco's eyes held a glint of longing as he replied, "So have I, Harry."