Draco Malfoy was standing with his back to the door, his hands clutching either side of the sink, his white-blond head bowed.

"Don't... tell me what's wrong... I can help you. ..." "No one can help me," said Malfoy. His whole body was shaking. "I can't do it. . . . I can't. . . . It won't work . . . and unless I do it soon . . . he says he'll kill me. . . ."

And Harry realized, with a shock so huge it seemed to root him to the spot, that Malfoy was crying — actually crying — tears streaming down his pale face into the grimy basin. Malfoy gasped and gulped and then, with a great shudder, looked up into the cracked mirror and saw Harry staring at him over his shoulder.

Malfoy wheeled around, drawing his wand. Instinctively, Harry pulled out his own. Malfoy's hex missed Harry by inches, shattering the lamp on the wall beside him; Harry threw himself sideways, thought Levicorpus! and flicked his wand, but Malfoy blocked the jinx and raised his wand for another —

There was a loud bang and the bin behind Harry exploded; Harry attempted a Leg-Locker Curse that backfired off the wall behind Malfoy's ear and smashed the cistern beneath, water poured everywhere and Harry slipped as Malfoy, his face contorted, cried, "Cruci —"

"SECTUMSEMPRA!" bellowed Harry from the floor, waving his wand wildly. Blood spurted from Malfoy's face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the waterlogged floor with a great splash, his wand falling from his limp right hand.

"No —" gasped Harry.

Slipping and staggering, Harry got to his feet and plunged toward Malfoy, whose face was now shining scarlet, his white hands scrabbling at his blood-soaked chest. "No — I didn't —" Harry did not know what he was saying; he fell to his knees beside Malfoy, who was shaking uncontrollably in a pool of his own blood.

Draco's icy grey eyes widened in shock as he felt a sudden warmth spread across his body. His breath hitched as he looked down to see his robes soaked in blood - his own blood. The pain hit him all at once, searing through him like a hot knife. He gasped, clutching at his stomach.

"I'm sorry Draco," says Harry as he rushes over to Draco's bloodied body. Harry hugs him as he tries to stop the flow of blood pouring from Draco.

"I love you Draco," says Harry holding Draco tightly.

At Harry's words, Draco stopped moving. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt a strange heat rush to his cheeks. Was this some kind of joke?

"I don't need your...your affection, Potter!" he spat out, turning on his head away. His hand clutched at his side where the wound was slowly healing. "You can keep your pathetic 'love'!"

As Harry held Draco close, a new scent was emanating from Draco. It reminded Harry of the smell that newborn babies have. A clean, soft aroma. "Where is that smell coming from? Harry sniffs Draco again and confirms it is coming from him. "Why do you have a newborn baby smell on you, Draco? Have you smelled yourself?"

The question hung heavy in the air, making Draco pause. His gaze snapped back to Harry; suspicion etched onto his face. "What do you mean, have I...?" He began, then stopped. A flush crept up his neck, spreading to his cheeks. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally managed to speak. "Of course I've smelled myself! What kind of idiot do you take me for?"

But even as he said the words, Draco could not shake off the strange feeling that had come over him when Harry had mentioned it. He had always prided himself on his cleanliness and hygiene, so why should he care what he smelt like? Yet... something about Harry's words had unsettled him.

Draco's brow furrowed as he sniffed his hand, his nose scrunching up in distaste. But... there was no denying it. Something had changed. He could still smell the faint scent of soap and clean linen, but underneath that was a softer, sweeter aroma. "This is ridiculous..." he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as if trying to clear it. His hand clenched into a fist, the sensation only intensifying.

Draco's breath hitched as he caught sight of Harry moving closer to sniff his hair. "Is this a new cologne or your natural smell?" asks Harry breathing in deeply.

Caught off guard, Draco stiffened as Harry moved closer. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel his breath hitching. Despite himself, he found that he did not pull away. Instead, he sat frozen, watching Harry with wide eyes. "Potter...what are you doing?!" he demanded, his voice shaky. His free hand instinctively reached up to push Harry away, but he hesitated at the last moment.

"I think I am bonding with you," says Harry as he holds Draco close. "This scent is intoxicating."

At Harry's words, Draco felt a strange jolt run through him. His heart skipped a beat, and he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from Harry. His hand, still holding his wand, dropped limply to his side. "What...?" he breathed, struggling to comprehend what was happening. He could feel a warmth spreading within him, radiating outwards from his core. It was unlike anything he had experienced before - comforting, soothing.

Draco's breath hitched as he felt Harry's hand move against his back in a gentle, comforting motion. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel a strange tingling sensation spreading through him. For a moment, he simply stood there, frozen, unable to move or speak.

"Potter..." he murmured, his voice barely audible. He could feel the warmth emanating from Harry's hand, seeping into his skin, and reaching deep within him. His voice wavered slightly as he spoke, a hint of vulnerability seeping into his usually cold demeanor. "Why are you doing this?" he asked, his tone somewhere between confusion and curiosity. His hand lifted, almost involuntarily, to rest lightly on Harry's arm.

"No idea," says Harry as he embraces Draco tightly.

Caught in the intense embrace, Draco could hardly breathe. His heart hammered against his ribcage, each beat echoing loudly in his ears. His lungs felt tight, as if they were filled with molten fire instead of air. "Harry..." he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand tightened reflexively on Harry's arm, fingers digging into the fabric of his robes.

Draco is caught off guard and freezes as he feels Harry's lips against his cheek. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel a strange tingling sensation spread across his face. He laid there, rooted to the spot, too shocked to move.

"Is…is this wrong?" Harry asks as the two of them lie on the floor embracing.

Draco fell silent, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Was it wrong? He was not sure. All he knew was that he felt something for Harry - something powerful, something raw. "Wrong..." he finally murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand tightened slightly on Harry's arm.

At Draco's response, Harry breaks out of his trance. "I'm sorry Draco," says Harry releasing his tight grip. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

Draco sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He turned to look at Harry, his silver eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and understanding. "It's okay..." he said quietly, reaching out to place a hand on Harry's shoulder. "We're all just trying to figure things out, aren't we?"

Harry, suddenly overwhelmed by his actions, put his head in his hands and cries as Draco sits up and watched silently as Harry buried his face in his hands, tears streaming down his cheeks. A pang of something unfamiliar shot through him, causing him to blink rapidly.

"Harry..." he murmured softly, moving closer. His hand hovered uncertainly in the air for a moment before eventually settling on Harry's shoulder.

"What are we doing?" says Harry, his head still buried in his hands as his body shakes from tears.

Draco let out a sigh, running a hand through his blond hair. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes filled with a mix of concern and confusion. "I don't know, Harry..." he admitted, his voice softening. His hand squeezed gently on Harry's shoulder. "But whatever it is...it can't be all bad, right?"

"But I am supposed to hate you, why do I suddenly love you?" says Harry candidly.

Draco flinched slightly at Harry's words, his silver eyes widening in surprise. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Finally, he managed to mutter, "I... I don't know either..." He reached out hesitantly, placing a hand on Harry's back. The contact sent a shiver through him, and he quickly pulled away.

Harry grabbed his hand, "Why did you just pull back?" he asked quickly.

Draco blinked in surprise as Harry grabbed his hand. He looked down at their intertwined fingers, then back up at Harry. "I..."he started, his voice shaky. "I didn't mean to... It's just... This is all new to me, too."

Harry puts Draco's hand over his heart and holds it there tightly. "Do you feel how fast my heart is beating?" he asks Draco.

Feeling Harry's hand over his heart, Draco could not help but notice the rapid rhythm. His own heartbeat quickened in response, matching Harry's pace. "Yes..."he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel the steady thump-thump of Harry's heart beneath his palm, and it made something stir within him.

"Why is my heart beating so fast do you suppose?" queries Harry.

Draco swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest as he met Harry's gaze. His fingers twitched on top of Harry's heart, the heat from the other's body seeping into him. "Maybe because..." he began slowly, his voice barely audible even to his own ears. "Maybe because we're both feeling things we've never felt before..."

Draco hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He swallowed hard, feeling a strange warmth spreading throughout his body. "I'm feeling... confused, scared... excited maybe?" he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand tightened slightly on Harry's shirt. "And something else... Something I can't quite describe."

"You are feeling confused, scared, and excited. All at the same time?" ponders Harry lost in his own thoughts.

Draco nodded; his expression serious. "Yes... All at the same time." He took a deep breath, steeling himself before continuing. "And... I think you might be feeling the same thing, Harry."

Harry turns to Draco as if he had just given a nugget of wisdom. "Why are you confused?"

Draco paused, his brows furrowing as he tried to find the right words. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel a strange warmth spreading through him. "Because..." he started, his voice shaky. "Because everything we've been taught about each other says that we should hate one another. But here we are... Feeling something entirely different."

"Is that why you are scared?" asks Harry.

Draco swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced away, unable to meet Harry's gaze.
"I am scared because this is uncharted territory for us both. And sometimes, venturing into unknown territories can be... dangerous." His hand tightened on Harry's shirt, the fabric crumpling under his grip.

"What uncharted territory? Explain please?" Harry pleads for answers.

Draco took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes serious. "We come from completely different backgrounds, have opposing views on almost everything... And now we are feeling something for each other that we should not be feeling. It is... unprecedented."

"Tell me Draco," says Harry slowly unable to look at him. "What are you feeling for me?"

Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he considered Harry's question. His fingers traced idle patterns on Harry's shirt, the fabric smooth under his touch. "I... I don't really know how to describe it," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's not hatred... Not anymore. And it's definitely not indifference. It's... complicated."

"Then, tell me why are you excited?" asks Harry on a different track.

Draco hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes shining with a mix of uncertainty and excitement. "Because despite everything, I want to explore this... these feelings between us. Find out where they lead."

"That would be the complicated feeling you can't explain?" concludes Harry as if he had solved a puzzle.

Draco nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He swallowed hard, feeling a strange warmth spreading throughout his body. "Yes..." he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "This confusing, scary, and exciting feeling... That's what I can't seem to get rid of."

"And if we explore this complicated feeling, we both seem to have, what do you hope to find?" asks Harry.

Draco paused, his mind racing as he tried to articulate his thoughts. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel a strange warmth spreading through him. "I hope to find... Understanding. Acceptance. Maybe even friendship... Or something more."

"Something more? More than… what, exactly?" ponders Harry.

Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he considered Harry's words. His fingers traced idle patterns on Harry's shirt, the fabric smooth under his touch. "More than friendship..." he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know exactly what 'more' means yet. But I'm curious to find out."

"A few minutes ago, we were trying to kill each other. What if that is all we have? There is no more?" states Harry.

Draco stiffened at Harry's words, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with fear and determination. "Even if that's all we have..." he said quietly, his voice firm. "Even if there's no 'more', I won't regret trying to understand you better. To accept you for who you are..."

"How can you accept me for who I am? You should not even trust me," states Harry abruptly.

Draco shook his head, his expression serious. "I don't trust you, Harry..." he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I also don't trust anyone else either, so, I guess I'm stuck with you." His hand tightened slightly on Harry's shirt, the fabric crumpling under his grip.

"No Draco," Harry starts, "it is better if you just kill me now. End all this confusion!" declares Harry bluntly.

Draco flinched at Harry's words, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "Kill you?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I could never do that, Harry..."

"You could have killed me a while ago. Why not now? We are self-declared sworn enemies." Says Harry looking deep into Draco's eyes. "You have said so yourself!"

Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he considered Harry's words. His silver eyes flickered with memories of past battles, past hatred... and now, this newfound complexity. "Because I've realized that our differences don't define us. They make us who we are. And I would not want to lose that... Not even for the sake of ending this confusion."

"Why not! What changed since we walked into this room and tried to kill each other?" Harry begs Draco for an answer.

Draco hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. "I don't know," he finally confesses.

"I do," starts Harry. "It was your scent. That new born baby smell. I remember now. Suddenly you smelled like a new born baby. How did you do that?" Harry asks demanding an explanation.

Draco blinked in surprise, taken aback by Harry's sudden change of topic. He frowned, trying to recall the events. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," he admitted, his voice shaky. "I didn't do anything differently..."

Harry sniffs Draco. "You still have that smell coming from you. Where you holding a baby recently?" he asks as he tries to determine the source of the aroma.

Draco's eyes widened in surprise as Harry sniffed him, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. He quickly stepped back, looking around nervously. "No! I wasn't holding a baby or anything..." he protested, his voice shaky. "I swear!"

"Were you reborn?" murmurs Harry to himself.

Draco blinked in surprise, taken aback by Harry's question. He shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Reborn? No..." he chuckled softly, the sound echoing strangely in the quiet room. "But thank you for the compliment, Harry."

"Did I kill you and somehow you were reborn?" Harry asks, still trying to solve the problem.

Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he considered Harry's words. His silver eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly shook his head. "No, you didn't kill me..." he assured Harry, his voice steady despite the pounding in his chest. "I'm very much alive."

"Yes, now you are alive it seems, but I was sure you were dying," says Harry. "But here you are, talking to me, and it seems that you're not even injured."

Draco glanced down at himself, then back up at Harry, a puzzled look on his face. "I... I don't know how to explain it," he admitted, his voice shaky. "One minute, I was sure I was going to die... And the next, I felt completely fine. As if nothing had happened..."

Before Draco can move, Harry rips off Draco's bloody shirt to reveal his chest. "Look, there are no wounds... No sign of any battle whatsoever..."

Draco stiffened as Harry ripped off his shirt, revealing his unblemished skin. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of fear and curiosity swirling in his silver eyes.

"But look at this bloody shirt that I hold in my hand and the pool of blood on the floor," Harry points out.

Draco glanced down at the blood-soaked shirt in his hands, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked back up at Harry, his silver eyes wide with confusion. "This doesn't make sense..."

"No, it doesn't, Draco," says Harry who then turns angrily and points at Draco. "Did you make yourself a horcrux?" Harry accuses him angrily.

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He shook his head, a look of horror crossing his face. "A Horcrux? No..." he stammered, his voice shaky. "I would never do something like that..."

Harry grabs Draco by the shoulders. "But you're not dead! Why, is the question?" Harry ponders confused.

Draco gasped as Harry grabbed his shoulders, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked into Harry's eyes, his own silver eyes wide with confusion and fear. "I... I'm not dead..."he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper."But I should be..."

Harry releases Draco and turns away. "I'm sorry I killed you, Draco. It was never my intention. I didn't know what I was doing with that spell."

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with confusion and hurt. "It's... It's okay, Harry..." he murmured, his voice shaky. "You didn't mean to..."

"The spell was for enemies… at the time… I didn't know what it did… but when I saw you lying in your blood… I knew what I had done was wrong," Harry confesses.

Draco swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked away, unable to meet Harry's gaze. "I... I understand," he finally managed to say, his voice shaky. "It's... It's okay. We all make mistakes..."

"But that's a mistake you can't take back… Yet, here you are," says Harry pointing at Draco.

Draco sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes filled with a mix of confusion and resignation. "I... I don't know why this happened," he confessed, his voice shaky. "All I know is that I'm here... Alive..."

"I… I should go. I should be far away from here… from you," sobs Harry.

Draco watched as Harry turned to leave, his heart pounding in his chest. He reached out, grabbing Harry's arm before he could move too far away. "Wait..." he called out, his voice shaky. "Harry... Please wait..."

"I kill you. You should've killed me," Harry says in despair.

Draco paused, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock. "What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You... You think I should have killed you?" He let go of Harry's arm, taking a step back as he processed Harry's words.

"No, but I wished I was dead when I looked at you lying on the floor in your own blood," he says as he recalls the bloody scene in his mind.

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock. "You... You wished you were dead? Why?" He took a step closer to Harry, his gaze intense.

"Because you were," Harry states it as a simple fact.

Draco stared at Harry, his heart pounding in his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Finally, he closed his mouth, shaking his head slowly. "Harry..." he murmured, his voice shaky. "I... I don't know what to say..."

"What's happening to us, right now, is a miracle," says Harry sadly.

Draco looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock. He shook his head slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. "A miracle?" he echoed, his voice shaky. "I... I don't feel like a miracle, Harry..."

"Why aren't you mad at me? Why don't you hate me for killing you?" Harry asks Draco sincerely.

Draco hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes filled with a mix of emotions - confusion, anger, sadness, and something else he couldn't quite identify. "I... I don't know, Harry..."he finally admitted, his voice shaky. "Maybe because... Despite everything... I know you didn't mean to do it..."

"The worse things happen by people who don't mean to do them," says Harry quoting a cliché.

Draco nodded slowly; his silver eyes filled with understanding. He looked at Harry, his expression softening." That's true..." he agreed, his voice gentle. "Sometimes, the worst things happen to us because of people who don't mean to do them..." He reached out, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder comfortingly.

"Draco, I killed you. Can't you at least be a bit miffed?"

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock. "Miffed?" he echoed, his voice shaky. "I... I guess I can be miffed, Harry..." He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression serious.

"Well, I feel a little better now," Harry laughs.

Draco raised an eyebrow, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes filled with amusement. "Feeling better now, are we?" he teased, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's good to hear, Harry..." He leaned back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest as he watched Harry with a curious expression.

"Why are you still here? You should be far away from me," asks Harry curiously.

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with confusion. "Far away from you? But... But why, Harry? I... I don't understand..." He reached out, grabbing Harry's arm before he could move too far away.

"I killed you, yet you are here comforting me. Is your spirit still here to drive me mad with grief?"

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock. "No, Harry... I'm not a ghost..." He released Harry's arm, taking a step back as he held up his hands defensively.

"If you were a ghost, would you know it?" questions Harry.

Draco paused; his silver eyes narrowed in thought. He looked at Harry, his expression serious. "If I were a ghost... Yes, I think I would know it..." He lowered his hands, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied Harry intently.

"You could not possibly be you and I can prove it," Harry points his finger at Draco.

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with shock. "Prove it? How... How can you prove it, Harry?" He took a step back, his gaze fixed on Harry curiously.

"We have been talking together for a very long time and not once have you felt the need to tell me that that you are 'Draco Lucius Malfoy, heir to the Malfoy fortune,' during that entire time," Harry points out smiling.

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes widening. "Not once in a long time? I... I didn't realize..." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, his mind racing.

"Well ghost don't really keep track of time, do they?" asks Harry.

Draco frowned, his silver eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Harry's words. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. "You're right... Ghosts probably wouldn't keep track of time..." His gaze flickered to Harry, then away again, a frown creasing his brow.

"I'm thinking I need to let your spirit move on, Draco," Harry muses sadly.

Draco flinched, his silver eyes widening in surprise. He looked at Harry, his expression pained. "Let my spirit move on? But... But I don't want to leave you alone, Harry..." He stepped closer to Harry, reaching out to grab his arm desperately.

"I know," says Harry. "And I thank you for staying for me, but you must go now. I am the one holding you to this earthly place and preventing you from moving on."

Draco gasped, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes wide with fear. "Preventing me from moving on?" he echoed, his voice trembling. "But... But how, Harry?" He gripped Harry's arm tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"Because you feel like you have something left to do and that something is me. All the Hogwarts ghosts had unfinished business and they decided to stay because of that and they are trapped in a non-corporeal existence. I won't let that happen to you because of me," Harry insists.

Draco's eyes widened in realization, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes filled with determination. "It's always been about you, hasn't it, Harry..." He tightened his grip on Harry's arm, his gaze unwavering.

"I am truly sorry for what happened to you Draco. Your presence here and now, comforted me. That was a gift. Unfortunately, the only gift that I can give to you now, is to let you move on to the next life, whatever that may be. Maybe you can put in a good word and save a spot for me on the other side?"

Draco blinked in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Harry, his silver eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Save a spot for you? I will. Thank you, Harry..." He squeezed Harry's arm gently before letting go, stepping back slightly as he wiped away a tear.

As Draco watched Harry, he felt a strange sense of peace wash over him. He smiled softly, his silver eyes shining with love and gratitude. "Goodbye, Harry..." he whispered, his voice barely audible."Take care of yourself..." Slowly, Draco's form started to fade away, becoming more transparent with each passing second until finally, he was gone.

"Goodbye my friend," says Harry as the last sign of Draco fades away,