Author's note: Thanks for the support and I wish you all a wonderful day.

From Shadow to Bond

Chapter four

Breaking the Silence

Astoria watched Potter follow Draco with a small smile. She knew he would. She takes her bags of sweets and her Butterbeer and walks over to her sister Daphne and her boyfriend Blaize "You owe me a Galleon sister." Those two had also followed her today. Though Astoria is rather certain Draco was way too distracted by Potter to notice. Draco might not have noticed it if one of the shops had burned down.

"I owe you nothing. Your date is not over." Dephne replies. "Draco might yet try to at least hold your hand."

Astoria snorts "For that he'd have to notice me first. And seriously, I'd bet another Galleon that the next person who goes up to the bathrooms, will came back down and tell us they're making out."

Daphne makes a face. She had seen the way those two had looked at each other. She snorts too "I'm not betting against that. I'm already about to lose the first bet. I seriously thought Draco would at least try harder."

"Please." Blaize grins at his girlfriend. "You do remember fourth year, right? How Draco stayed up an entire night making those Potter stinks buttons? He was mumbling things like 'Stupid tournament' or 'stupid distractions' and most importantly 'Stupid Potter. I'll make him notice me again.' I mean really, how long was Draco upset with him?"

Both girls laugh and Daphne just asks "Was he ever not? Do you remember his ranting on our first train ride?"

Blaize laughs and tries to imitate Draco's whiny voice "How dare he chose a Weasley over me? To just refuse my friendship." The girls laugh even more.

After short moment Dephne is more serious again and asks "Are you sure you don't care for Draco. I saw your face when Draco saw Potter in the village. You looked pretty upset."

Astoria rolls her eyes. "Of course I was upset. I mean really, I agreed for only two reasons. One was to play the perfect little rival for Potter so he'd get a move on. And the second was because Draco should at least buy me some chocolates for my efforts. And guess what. I was worried he'd walk over to Potter before I get my sweets. I mean did you see his face? I was almost drooling."

The other two snort and Daphne adds "And his face when Potter started to put that lollypop in his mouth."

"Have to give it to Draco, he did his best to hold himself back." Blaize snorts.

"But an acting career is not in his future." Astoria snorts. "But really I've never seen another guy that smitten." Astoria sighs "Just remind me to hand back the necklace he gave me. I mean I could sell it for a lot but I think I got enough out of it. Wouldn't be fair to keep this too."

"Dad would disagree." Daphne sighs. Their father had ordered them to find a rich boyfriend. Her previously secret boyfriend Blaize barely made the cut. At least now they could both show something. Blaize doesn't even mind. He's just glad her father might finally approve. His mother's reputation had made sure Mister Greengrass normally Wouldn't approve.

But his mother at least had made a lot of money with her many marriages and her husbands mysterious deaths. And it was even a mystery to him. If the rumours that she killed them are true, she is one hell of an actress because Even hat home Blaize had heard her cry into her pillows for weeks. He assumed some asshole liked her and got rid of all the competition until she would chose him. But he had no idea who that could be.

That money would now at least make sure the financially troubled Greengrass family might allow him to marry their eldest daughter. Especially since the younger had proven that dating the Malfoy heir would not lead to anything.

Astoria grabs the sleeve of the passing Dennis and smiles at the boy sweetly. "Dennis, would you be a dear and go to the boy's rest rooms? I am a bit worried because you see. Both Draco and Potter have been gone for an awful long time. What if they fought, possibly because Draco went on a date with me? You know how those two can get?"

Dennis blushes a bit at the pretty girl and mumbles "Sure."

"I thought you want to help them? And now you're interrupting them?" Daphne grins at her two years younger sister.

Astoria just shrugs "Potter had enough time. And again two reasons. First, it's not going to do Potter much good if Draco comes down with kiss swollen lips and starting his denial all over. Getting caught should help there. and secondly, my dear sister, I need prove this date is officially over to get the Galleon you owe me."

It did not take long before Dennis ran back down, and tripped on his way down the stairs, falling the last five. The previously noisy room got silent while everyone turned to the stairs to see what happened.

"You'll never guess what I just saw?" he calls out loudly, just in time because the first had begun to look away again. His words, however, once again gained him everyone's attention, "Harry Potter is making out with Malfoy."

"I'd say that officially ends my date. Pay up sister." Astoria grins.

Dennis looks up at her. Eyes pleading and apologetic he walks over to her and mumbles "Sorry about your date."

"Come on Dennis. You earned yourself a treat. Have Draco's Butterbeer, he hasn't touched it yet anyway." Astoria offered.

Dennis looks at her wide eyed. "Aren't you upset."

"No I'm fine. I just went out for a few reasons of my own. And to play the rival to get Potter's ass into gear. Looks like that part of the plan worked splendidly." She walks him over to the table she was at before and hands him Draco's untouched drink "And for making sure Draco can't act like nothing happened and has to, finally, admit to his feelings. You deserve this drink. Consider it earned Dennis."

The boy blushes and mumbles "Thanks' you're really nice. You know, you're the only Slytherin our year that calls me Dennis. All the others call me little Creevey."

Dephne grins and makes a heart shape with her finger "ooooohhhh Astoria... I had no idea."

"Shut up." Astoria orders in a hiss and blushes. She worriedly looks at Dennis "She's just teasing, forget her."

Dennis also blushes but scraps together his Gryffindor courage saying "What if I'd rather ask you on a date then forget anything. You're very pretty you know."

Astoria grins and shrugs "Okay. But be ready little lion. My father is going to skin you alive!"

"Why?" Dennis asks worriedly "Cause my folks are Muggle?"

"Nope." Astoria sighs "Dad doesn't care about that, as long as there is money. Which is my point. I doubt you'd make his cut."

Dennis suddenly grins "My dad's a lawyer. Has his own law company and all. Works mostly with other huge companies on contracts and legal advice."

"Should that mean anything to me?" Astoria just frowns.

"He makes like a hand full of millions of pounds a month. Oh right, muggle money" he adds noticing with a grin that her look didn't change at all and that she must still be confused "It exchanges to a million Galleon a month. We have 5 villas in Britain and I lost count how many abroad. Will that help?"

"I think my father will love you." Astoria smiles charmingly.

"While that might be helpful, you know, beats being skinned alive." Dennis chuckles and with a blush adds But iIt's not his love I want."

Astoria blushes and smiles gently "Well, Dephne did have a reason to tease me. Just one sec." She quickly goes to her sister grinningly giving her the necklace from Draco "Give that back and take my bags back with you please." Before her sister has a chance to say no, she rushes to Dennis, links their arms and drags him out with a happy smile suggesting "You know, how about we start our date at Honydukes?"

Blaize and Dephne look after them and stay quiet for a moment until Blaize mumbles "We should get her a stomach soothing potion. She's bound to get an upset stomach with this many chocolate."

At that time Potter is still Tring to calm Draco "I don't think she'll be that mad. It was only your first date."

"Yeah and I left her, and ended up getting caught making out with you. And knowing the little Creevey, he blurted that out to the entire Hogwarts population." Draco complains. "I embarrassed her."

Harry just smiles at Draco and pulls him back into his arms and sounds very smug "I'll take the blame. After all, it's not even a lie. I did seduce you, didn't I."

Draco just glares for a moment and snorts leaning against him "And you even dared to promise that I wouldn't regret this. Guess what..."

Harry just gives him a short kiss again and whispers "I'll make sure you won't be in trouble. I'll help you?"

"How?" Draco asks upset. "Astoria is likely to slap me her sister probably too. As Dephne's boyfriend Blaize can no longer talk to me until they'll forgive me and that will be oh let me think." He acts thoughtful before he glares at Harry "Probably never." Draco groans "And the rest of the school might think I fed you a love potion or worse. You're little Fanclub, which isn't nearly as little as I'd like by the way, already hates me because of those ridiculous rumours that you love me and even fought with the Weasley girl over me."

"Firstly, I wouldn't let anyone slap your handsome face. Secondly, the rumours already prove that you wouldn't need a potion and I'd happily prove it. Pomfrey can check me all she likes, we both know you didn't need a potion. I already love you without any magic needed. Thirdly, what fanclub and lastly. The rumours aren't ridiculous. And I bet they started when I confronted Ginny about what she had said to you in the Gryffindor common room."

Draco glowers "Have you ever heard about discretion?"

"Heard yes." Harry grins "But I suck at it."

Draco snorts "Never would have noticed."

"You're really cute when you grin like that." Harry smiles at him.

"Stop trying to distract me." Draco frowns and slaps his shoulder gently "I'm still mad at you. I'm only in this because if you. I can't. Even go back down."

Harry just grins "Why not. You have me to protect you."

Draco sighs again and looks at him. His eyes begging him not to leave him again "For how long."

"As long as you'll have me." Harry promises "I've never felt this much for anyone before. Please Draco. I promise you. I truly love you and only you. And trust me. I'll never give up on you."

Draco grins "That sounded like a threat."

"Good. It is one to all those girls out there who want you. You do realise that you're way hotter than me?" Harry grins "I'm just lucky your taste seems to suck."

Draco sighs "I don't want to go out there. Can't we just stay in here forever?"

Harry grins and leans closer "Oh I'm sure to find something to pass the time in here, but I fear you might need some food and drinks at some point or another." He looks more caringly again and just gives him another short and gentle kiss. "It won't get better if you hide now. Come on Dray. I promise, I won't let anything bad happen to you, my love."

Draco just sighs resigned and with a slight blush on his face. His heart fluttering every time Harry speaks of love. Not just likening him but real love. He leans closer burying his face in Harry's shoulder. Breathing in his unique scent. A bit earthy with a hint of peppermint still lingering on his breath.

Draco still fears to only get hurt again. But he knows also that it is pointless to just pretend to not love him. He's no longer sure he ever even truly stopped to love Harry. And it feels so damn god to be in his strong arms. To have him there and protect him. But the fear that it's just a fleeting emotion for him is still there. He takes another deep breathes thinking that it doesn't matter. If he dates him now or not, losing his love will hurt all the same. And he might regret it more to not take the time he can have him for now. "Fine." Draco sighs "I'll come down with you. But if you dare let anyone hurt me, I'll make you pay." Thinking that Harry himself will probably one day hurt him the most.

They go down and the first thing they hear is some cat whistles from some of Harry's friends. Shamus even calls out to him "Congrats Harry. For finally catching your man. Took you long enough."

"Just shut it." Harry grins happily holding Draco's hand and standing a bit before him to shield the scared little Slytherin by his side.

Harry hears a younger Ravenclaw nearby ask another Gryffindor his age ask "And you're really sure Malfoy didn't get him a love potion?"

Hermione and Ron were on the next table and heard it too. Proven by Hermione's snort "Please, you do realise that no one could ever get under Harry's skin like Malfoy did? Have a guess why?" she grins and winks at him.

"No way? You mean he always had a thing for Malfoy?" the Ravenclaw wants to know his voice layered with surprise.

"Not knowingly or he wouldn't have dated Cho or Ginny." Ron shakes his head before he shrugs "But you know, pent up sexual tension of a guy in denial cause some explosive outbursts."

"See." Harry whispers "Nothing too bad happened."

"Yet." Draco whispers back with a frown before he flinched and adds "Dephne."

Harry turns back to the crowd and sees the older of the Greengrass sisters. The younger one must have already left. Harry does feel sorry for her. She was probably hurt by Dennis' words earlier and Harry does agree with Draco that he most certainly will have told them all.

Blocking her way a bit Harry makes sure to speak to her first in the hope she won't start screaming at Draco "Can we do something for you?"

"You, not really. Astoria just asked me to give Draco this necklace back. She thinks it's a little too much." Dephne grins.

Deaco blushes "She can keep it. And I'm sorry I hurt her feelings."

Blaize snorts "Man, she was just in it for the sweets."

"But we are a business family. We don't make transactions where only we benefit." Daphne defends her family's honour and adds with a grin "She planned to repay you by making Potter her all kinds of jealous, just so he'd get his ass into gear. Worked better than she thought. She was even temporarily worried he'd snatch you up before she got any sweets."

"She also send up the little Creevey for making sure you couldn't deny anything and end the date to win her bet with Dephne." Blaize grinningly adds.

"And seriously, you could have at least held her hand once!" Dephne groans at the reminder "Anyway, she offered to pay that little Creevey with your butterbeer. He oped to take her instead and they are of to honeyduke's."

"Again?" Draco asks. "Didn't I just buy her like two bags full of chocolate?"

"Three." Harry and Dephne say together.

Dephne just grins "Look at that Draco, Potter paled more attention to your date than you did!"

"At least I won't have to listen to anyone of his 'Why did he ask her.' Whining." Ron helpfully calls over.

"Not fair, we had to take Draco's whinging every time he was on Potter withdrawal for years." Blaize calls back.

"Potter what?" Harry asks curious.

Draco just pushes him "Who cares let s go back to the castle. You know, we both know you hate crowds."

Harry looked between Blaize and Draco for a moment. His curiosity battling his wish for some more privacy with Draco. It didn't take long for Harry to agree "Okay see you guys later."

The two boys almost flee from the masses that all stare after them while Ron just grins at Blaize and Dephne with a playful glint in his eyes "So...Potter withdrawal?"