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Description
Title: Hey There Draco Chapter 17
Chapter Title: TBD
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Violence
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.
Author's Notes: Thanks for waiting! ^_^

This is a Harry/Draco fanfiction. Meaning boy/boy. If you don't like, don't read and definitely don't complain to me about it! Consider yourself warned.

Harry held Draco’s small child’s hand. This was definitely strange and didn’t feel at all right to him. In fact, it felt downright uncomfortable.  Draco didn’t seem pleased with the current situation, either. The lips on the little girl were turned down in a constant pout. Tom the innkeeper had waved pleasantly to them on their way past, but seemed rather suspicious that Harry now had a child with him. Harry had narrowly avoided his gaze as they hurried out of sight.

They were now walking hand in hand down the twisting streets of Diagon Alley.

“Breathe, love,” Draco muttered under his breath. “It won’t be long now.” Harry couldn’t help but ardently disagree with Draco’s assessment. This was going to take forever. At least it would feel that way. Harry had never been quite so aware of time before. How each second on his wristwatch ticked unnecessarily loudly in his ears and how each beat of his heart was a universe of its own. Draco squeezed his hand in what Harry assumed was a sympathetic gesture, but really it felt like Draco was trying to turn his hand blue.

It was taking entirely too long to reach Gringotts. Harry could see it in the distance but it seemed to remain the same size no matter how much they strode towards it. Its white marble glittered, annoyingly tempting, in the fading sunlight. Harry was suddenly over-aware of just exactly where they were. They were in Diagon Alley. They were in the wizard world. They were in one of the most popular, crowded and easily found places in the wizard world. This was ludicrous.  Someone was bound to recognize them through their disguises. They were going to get caught for certain.

As if reading his thoughts, Draco said, “Everything is going to be all right. You’ll see. This will take no time at all.”

“All right,” was all Harry could choke out.

They stopped before the white marble steps leading up to the bank doors and Harry’s stomach did a double flip. They had been miles away. How did it manage to sneak up on them?

Draco lifted his arms up above his head. Harry was baffled by the meaning of this for a moment before Draco said in a very demanding voice, “Carry me!” Harry scooped the little girl up, cradling her sideways like a baby in his arms. He felt a heavy bag of coins being slipped into the inside pocket of his robes. “Just follow my lead,” Draco breathed into Harry’s ear, the breath tickling his earlobe.

Harry ascended the cool marble steps, each tread feeling like it was taking him that much closer to his doom. Draco tucked his head against Harry’s shoulder. He was completely at ease which aggravated Harry to no end. Harry firmly resolved to make it through this just so he could yell at Draco later.

The bank was surprisingly empty. Only a few of the goblins had customers, which left many of them unoccupied.

“Go to that one,” Draco whispered, pointing to the one closest to the door on the right-hand side.

The goblin Draco had indicated looked younger than the rest, in goblin terms, that was. In reality he was probably older than both Harry and Draco put together. Nonetheless, the goblin looked like a newbie. Unsure and clumsy in his position behind the desk and Harry hoped that it was his first day on the job. Harry walked as quickly as he could without looking desperate over to the goblin, who looked up at his approach. He gave Harry a very toothy grin which caught Harry off guard. Yes, this goblin was definitely new, otherwise he’d have known that smiling was not in the job description and generally frowned upon in a goblin community.

“Can I help you?” His voice was high and squeaky.

“I’d like to exchange this money for Muggle currency,” Harry said in a gruff voice. He pulled the pouch of money out of his pocket and laid it on the counter in front of the goblin.

“Which country?” the goblin asked.

It took Harry too much time to realize that he was asking what kind of Muggle money he needed. Draco spoke up. His voice was light and breezy. “Grandfather’s taking me to see Stonehenge. Grandfather promised.” Draco peeked shyly at the goblin from under his long lashes. Even as a little girl Draco was irresistibly cute.
The goblin gave a curt nod and disappeared with the bag in hand.

“We’re going to Stonehenge?” Harry asked stupidly, though he was wise enough to keep his voice low.

“Of course we’re not,” Draco answered in a hiss. He sounded like an angry kitten. “It’s a common vacation spot for our kind, that’s all. It won’t be too suspicious that we’re going there. Besides,” Draco lowered his voice even more and Harry had to strain his ears to hear him, “if anyone tracks us this far this bit of information will send them the wrong way.”

Harry nodded numbly and waited for the goblin to return with their exchanged money. He did so, faster than Harry thought was possible under the circumstances and handed the bag back to Harry, now overflowing with notes.

“Have a good trip,” the goblin offered.

Harry muttered what he hoped was an intelligible ‘thanks’ and was out the front door of the building as quickly as he could manage. He was struggling in the ancient body of the old man he was inhabiting. He could feel the ache and strain of the muscles acutely as he hurried away.

“That was terrifying,” he growled lowly to Draco, who was still in his arms.

“I’m sure it was for you,” Draco answered as if Harry had only commented on a minor inconvenience.

“I never want to do that again,” Harry continued.

“And I doubt that you ever will have to do something like that again,” Draco agreed, his voice still pleasant and calm.

Harry clicked his tongue in annoyance at this statement but said nothing more. Draco Malfoy was in for it when they got back to their room.

The recklessness of their actions in the past twenty-four hours was enough to make even Harry, Gryffindor extraordinaire, think it was too much. Harry wasn’t used to feeling such dread in the pit of his stomach and he didn’t like it one bit. He wasn’t meant to feel such intensiveness, and yet he did. It made him feel all twitchy and bothered and most of all unhappy.

It took less time for them to get back to their room in the Leaky Cauldron than it did to get to the bank. At least it felt like it took less time. Maybe it was only because Harry was rushing so fast. At long last they were back in the safe confines of their room. Harry set Draco down and stalked over to sit on the chair by the desk, waiting impatiently to change back into himself. Draco ignored him and pulled the dress off and left it crumbled on the floor. He picked up the robes he had discarded earlier and went to sit on the bed, the robes, laying on his lap.

Harry undid his belt and put it back to its normal notch. He looked at his hands. Any moment now he would change back. Harry watched as the skin on his hands smoothed and the wrinkles disappeared.

He looked over at Draco and got a glimpse of his bruised body before Draco slipped his robe back over his head.

Draco saw that Harry was watching him and grinned. “See?” he said in his superior tone. “I told you everything would work out. You’re such a scaredy cat. Gryffindor, indeed,” he chuckled.

“You act as though nothing happened,” Harry said incredulously.

“But nothing did happen. The Order hasn’t found us yet, so therefore we are still alive,” Draco said.

“Wait…what?” Harry asked. This conversation had suddenly taken a new turn.

Draco looked at him with disbelieving eyes. “You do realize that they are going to kill us once they find us.”

“If they find us,” Harry interjected.

“Oh, they’ll find us,” Draco insisted. “And when they do, I’ll be sent somewhere far away and you… well… let’s just safely assume that the only daylight you’ll be seeing for some time will be through the bars on your bedroom window. That is, of course, if they don’t just decide to lock you in the closet. Come to think of it, it would be plenty safe in there. And I know how fond you are of closets.”

“You are unbelievable,” Harry said, shaking his head in astonishment. Draco was being exceedingly blasé about this entire ordeal.

“No, I’m realistic. You’re unbelievable.”

Harry shook his head but didn’t say anything more. As far as he was concerned they were both unbelievable. And stupid. And completely in for it and done for no matter what they did.

Draco sighed and went over to Harry, taking his hand. He kissed the tips of Harry’s fingers lightly. “Why are we bickering?” Draco asked. “We should be enjoying the time we have together. We know it can’t last.”

“We are destined to kill each other, after all,” Harry added lightly.

Draco chuckled a little at this. “That may be, but we’re not dead yet.” He kissed the palm of Harry’s hand.

“Go on,” Harry urged him. He was on his feet without realizing that he had gotten up.

“There are other things we can do besides fight,” Draco continued between kisses on Harry’s hand and wrist. He moved to Harry’s neck and began peppering it with light, feathery kisses.

“Like?” Harry was aware that the room had gotten exceedingly hot and appeared to be spinning out of control. He was also only vaguely conscious that he was finding it harder and harder to breathe.

“This,” Draco breathed, before capturing Harry’s lips with his own in a fiery kiss. Harry immediately wrapped his arms around Draco, pulling him as close as was possible. It still felt like there was too much space between them, no matter how close they got. Harry felt something lurch from somewhere around the pit of his stomach. The new sensation nearly caused Harry to collapse.  He wanted Draco Malfoy unlike he had wanted anything else in his life and he wanted him now!

“Draco,” Harry managed to gasp. He didn’t know where this sudden bout of passion from Draco had come from. Draco seemed to be desperate not to let Harry go. Harry had no intention of letting him go, he, himself would most likely fall to the ground if he did.

“Perhaps we ought to move this to the bed,” Draco whispered. Desire was practically pouring out of his words. He wanted Harry, too. That much was abundantly clear. Desperate. Draco appeared so desperate and there was a certain unspoken urgency that radiated off of him. But why?

Harry froze, an abrupt war breaking out in his mind. He knew what Draco was implying, what he was asking. And he was more than aware of what his own teenage hormones were screaming for, but the bit of morality left in Harry’s mind forced him to stop and consider what they were doing. It was irresponsible. They were being irresponsible. It wasn’t right. Running away was one thing, but losing their virginity (though he could only vouch for himself in that category) was quite another. No. The nobleness left in Harry would not allow them to do it like this. Not now. Not in a place like this.

“Draco,” Harry panted, pushing a hand between them. “Stop.”

Draco sighed, but didn’t seem surprised by this. “I know,” he said quietly. He turned away from Harry and went to lie face down on the bed. “You’re not ready, are you.” It wasn’t a question so Harry didn’t respond. “Neither am I,” Draco stated. His voice was firm so Harry didn’t doubt his sincerity. “I only thought…” his voice trailed off and whatever the reason had been, was lost.

Harry had no idea what that reason or reasons had been. And at the moment he didn’t care. Draco had enough secrets for Harry not to feel put out by not knowing one more tiny thing. He stretched out on the bed next to Draco and rested his hand on the small of Draco’s back. Draco turned his face toward him and the embarrassment Draco felt was evident on his face. That face killed Harry. Draco Malfoy was too proud to ever have to be embarrassed.

“Some things shouldn’t be rushed,” Harry said. He rubbed Draco’s back, soothingly. “We’ll be ready some day.”

Draco laughed a humorless laugh. “With our luck we won’t live long enough for ‘some day’.”

Though Harry privately agreed with this he continued on as if he hadn’t heard him. “You’re father would probably murder me,” Harry told him, though he immediately regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. “I’m sorry,” he added as quickly as he could. “That was stupid. I shouldn’t have mentioned him.”

Draco relaxed a little, but still remained slightly tense. “It’s all right,” he said. “You make a valid point. My father would murder you and me right alongside you.”

“Meaning your father would object to our relationship or what we were about to do?”

“Both I imagine,” Draco answered honestly. “The knowledge of our relationship would only make him murder the both of us. But doing what we were about to do would be enough for him to take a few innocent bystanders out with us.” Harry laughed. Draco did not. Harry had to wonder just how much truth was in those words. Though at the moment he wasn’t feeling brave enough to ask Draco that question. Instead he decided to switch the subject.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t like you,” Harry insisted. And it really didn’t. “I only think we should wait for a better time and place. It definitely doesn’t mean that I don’t like you.”

Draco looked at him like he was mad. “I wasn’t even concerned with that,” he said calmly. “I know you’re already in love with me.”

Harry was shocked into stillness by this sudden declaration. Yes, he could admit to himself that he had strong feelings for the flaxen haired boy. Stronger than he probably should have, but having the truth so casually flung out on the table was quite a shock.

“And what about you?” Harry asked. His voice came out weaker than he would have liked. “What are your feelings for me?”

Draco frowned. He was obviously considering his reply very carefully. “You know that I’m very fond of you,” he said slowly.

“That’s not good enough,” Harry replied evenly. It really wasn’t. Harry could say that he was fond of a toaster and it would be true enough.

Draco’s frown grew deeper. Harry was certain that one day there would be a line permanently creased on Draco’s forehead. Draco would be a good-looking older man regardless. Harry had a sudden vision of the two of them, wrinkled and old, sitting on a porch somewhere, their hands clasped tightly together. Harry banished the thought out of his head. It wasn’t nice to think of things that might never happen.

“I genuinely like your company,” Draco offered.

But Harry shook his head at this. “Care to try again?”

“I know what you’re getting at,” Draco snapped. “I’m not going to say something I don’t believe in.” His expression then softened and he took Harry’s hand in his. “I can’t imagine being with anyone else. And even if I could imagine it, I wouldn’t want anyone but you.”

Harry nodded. That was enough. In fact it was more than enough to keep him satisfied in this life and the next. However what Draco added next surprised Harry.
“I don’t know why you haven’t been stolen away. I feel like I don’t deserve you.”
This surprised Harry for two reasons. The first was he had never known Draco Malfoy to believe that he didn’t deserve what he wanted. And the second was the high opinion Draco seemed to have of him. All those years of torment at Draco’s hand appeared to say otherwise, though that could have been Draco’s way of saying it wasn’t fair that Harry Potter didn’t belong to him.

Harry scooted closer to Draco and wrapped his arms around him. He lightly stroked the bruise on Draco’s cheek, smiling at the fact that Draco didn’t shy away from his touch.

“I don’t want to hear you talk that way,” Harry said softly. He kissed Draco on the nose. Draco made a face, indicating that he didn’t like being kissed on the nose. Harry laughed and took Draco’s hand, linking their fingers together as tightly as he could. “Not even death will make me let go of your hand.”

Draco’s eyes widened, but he didn’t pull away. He rested his cheek against their clasped hands.

“Do you truly mean it?” Draco whispered.

“When have you known me to lie?”

“Never,” Draco said, shaking his head. “But you are a Gryffindor, after all, which makes your motives rather questionable.

Harry grinned at this. “Aren’t we getting that backwards, love? Slytherins usually are the ones who have questionable motives.”

Draco laughed at this, a true genuine laugh. Harry loved seeing him smile. This was his Draco. This was the Draco nobody but him knew. This Draco would always be his. Harry grinned as well and smoothed back Draco’s already perfect hair. Draco laid his head on Harry’s chest, still laughing to himself. Harry tightened his hold on him. He knew that these carefree moments could never last. Things were about to become a lot more difficult with each passing day for them. Harry could only hope that he could continue to make Draco laugh like this until the very end.

Description
Title: Hey There Draco Chapter 17
Chapter Title: TBD
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Violence
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.
Author's Notes: Thanks for waiting! ^_^

This is a Harry/Draco fanfiction. Meaning boy/boy. If you don't like, don't read and definitely don't complain to me about it! Consider yourself warned.

Harry held Draco’s small child’s hand. This was definitely strange and didn’t feel at all right to him. In fact, it felt downright uncomfortable.  Draco didn’t seem pleased with the current situation, either. The lips on the little girl were turned down in a constant pout. Tom the innkeeper had waved pleasantly to them on their way past, but seemed rather suspicious that Harry now had a child with him. Harry had narrowly avoided his gaze as they hurried out of sight.

They were now walking hand in hand down the twisting streets of Diagon Alley.

“Breathe, love,” Draco muttered under his breath. “It won’t be long now.” Harry couldn’t help but ardently disagree with Draco’s assessment. This was going to take forever. At least it would feel that way. Harry had never been quite so aware of time before. How each second on his wristwatch ticked unnecessarily loudly in his ears and how each beat of his heart was a universe of its own. Draco squeezed his hand in what Harry assumed was a sympathetic gesture, but really it felt like Draco was trying to turn his hand blue.

It was taking entirely too long to reach Gringotts. Harry could see it in the distance but it seemed to remain the same size no matter how much they strode towards it. Its white marble glittered, annoyingly tempting, in the fading sunlight. Harry was suddenly over-aware of just exactly where they were. They were in Diagon Alley. They were in the wizard world. They were in one of the most popular, crowded and easily found places in the wizard world. This was ludicrous.  Someone was bound to recognize them through their disguises. They were going to get caught for certain.

As if reading his thoughts, Draco said, “Everything is going to be all right. You’ll see. This will take no time at all.”

“All right,” was all Harry could choke out.

They stopped before the white marble steps leading up to the bank doors and Harry’s stomach did a double flip. They had been miles away. How did it manage to sneak up on them?

Draco lifted his arms up above his head. Harry was baffled by the meaning of this for a moment before Draco said in a very demanding voice, “Carry me!” Harry scooped the little girl up, cradling her sideways like a baby in his arms. He felt a heavy bag of coins being slipped into the inside pocket of his robes. “Just follow my lead,” Draco breathed into Harry’s ear, the breath tickling his earlobe.

Harry ascended the cool marble steps, each tread feeling like it was taking him that much closer to his doom. Draco tucked his head against Harry’s shoulder. He was completely at ease which aggravated Harry to no end. Harry firmly resolved to make it through this just so he could yell at Draco later.

The bank was surprisingly empty. Only a few of the goblins had customers, which left many of them unoccupied.

“Go to that one,” Draco whispered, pointing to the one closest to the door on the right-hand side.

The goblin Draco had indicated looked younger than the rest, in goblin terms, that was. In reality he was probably older than both Harry and Draco put together. Nonetheless, the goblin looked like a newbie. Unsure and clumsy in his position behind the desk and Harry hoped that it was his first day on the job. Harry walked as quickly as he could without looking desperate over to the goblin, who looked up at his approach. He gave Harry a very toothy grin which caught Harry off guard. Yes, this goblin was definitely new, otherwise he’d have known that smiling was not in the job description and generally frowned upon in a goblin community.

“Can I help you?” His voice was high and squeaky.

“I’d like to exchange this money for Muggle currency,” Harry said in a gruff voice. He pulled the pouch of money out of his pocket and laid it on the counter in front of the goblin.

“Which country?” the goblin asked.

It took Harry too much time to realize that he was asking what kind of Muggle money he needed. Draco spoke up. His voice was light and breezy. “Grandfather’s taking me to see Stonehenge. Grandfather promised.” Draco peeked shyly at the goblin from under his long lashes. Even as a little girl Draco was irresistibly cute.
The goblin gave a curt nod and disappeared with the bag in hand.

“We’re going to Stonehenge?” Harry asked stupidly, though he was wise enough to keep his voice low.

“Of course we’re not,” Draco answered in a hiss. He sounded like an angry kitten. “It’s a common vacation spot for our kind, that’s all. It won’t be too suspicious that we’re going there. Besides,” Draco lowered his voice even more and Harry had to strain his ears to hear him, “if anyone tracks us this far this bit of information will send them the wrong way.”

Harry nodded numbly and waited for the goblin to return with their exchanged money. He did so, faster than Harry thought was possible under the circumstances and handed the bag back to Harry, now overflowing with notes.

“Have a good trip,” the goblin offered.

Harry muttered what he hoped was an intelligible ‘thanks’ and was out the front door of the building as quickly as he could manage. He was struggling in the ancient body of the old man he was inhabiting. He could feel the ache and strain of the muscles acutely as he hurried away.

“That was terrifying,” he growled lowly to Draco, who was still in his arms.

“I’m sure it was for you,” Draco answered as if Harry had only commented on a minor inconvenience.

“I never want to do that again,” Harry continued.

“And I doubt that you ever will have to do something like that again,” Draco agreed, his voice still pleasant and calm.

Harry clicked his tongue in annoyance at this statement but said nothing more. Draco Malfoy was in for it when they got back to their room.

The recklessness of their actions in the past twenty-four hours was enough to make even Harry, Gryffindor extraordinaire, think it was too much. Harry wasn’t used to feeling such dread in the pit of his stomach and he didn’t like it one bit. He wasn’t meant to feel such intensiveness, and yet he did. It made him feel all twitchy and bothered and most of all unhappy.

It took less time for them to get back to their room in the Leaky Cauldron than it did to get to the bank. At least it felt like it took less time. Maybe it was only because Harry was rushing so fast. At long last they were back in the safe confines of their room. Harry set Draco down and stalked over to sit on the chair by the desk, waiting impatiently to change back into himself. Draco ignored him and pulled the dress off and left it crumbled on the floor. He picked up the robes he had discarded earlier and went to sit on the bed, the robes, laying on his lap.

Harry undid his belt and put it back to its normal notch. He looked at his hands. Any moment now he would change back. Harry watched as the skin on his hands smoothed and the wrinkles disappeared.

He looked over at Draco and got a glimpse of his bruised body before Draco slipped his robe back over his head.

Draco saw that Harry was watching him and grinned. “See?” he said in his superior tone. “I told you everything would work out. You’re such a scaredy cat. Gryffindor, indeed,” he chuckled.

“You act as though nothing happened,” Harry said incredulously.

“But nothing did happen. The Order hasn’t found us yet, so therefore we are still alive,” Draco said.

“Wait…what?” Harry asked. This conversation had suddenly taken a new turn.

Draco looked at him with disbelieving eyes. “You do realize that they are going to kill us once they find us.”

“If they find us,” Harry interjected.

“Oh, they’ll find us,” Draco insisted. “And when they do, I’ll be sent somewhere far away and you… well… let’s just safely assume that the only daylight you’ll be seeing for some time will be through the bars on your bedroom window. That is, of course, if they don’t just decide to lock you in the closet. Come to think of it, it would be plenty safe in there. And I know how fond you are of closets.”

“You are unbelievable,” Harry said, shaking his head in astonishment. Draco was being exceedingly blasé about this entire ordeal.

“No, I’m realistic. You’re unbelievable.”

Harry shook his head but didn’t say anything more. As far as he was concerned they were both unbelievable. And stupid. And completely in for it and done for no matter what they did.

Draco sighed and went over to Harry, taking his hand. He kissed the tips of Harry’s fingers lightly. “Why are we bickering?” Draco asked. “We should be enjoying the time we have together. We know it can’t last.”

“We are destined to kill each other, after all,” Harry added lightly.

Draco chuckled a little at this. “That may be, but we’re not dead yet.” He kissed the palm of Harry’s hand.

“Go on,” Harry urged him. He was on his feet without realizing that he had gotten up.

“There are other things we can do besides fight,” Draco continued between kisses on Harry’s hand and wrist. He moved to Harry’s neck and began peppering it with light, feathery kisses.

“Like?” Harry was aware that the room had gotten exceedingly hot and appeared to be spinning out of control. He was also only vaguely conscious that he was finding it harder and harder to breathe.

“This,” Draco breathed, before capturing Harry’s lips with his own in a fiery kiss. Harry immediately wrapped his arms around Draco, pulling him as close as was possible. It still felt like there was too much space between them, no matter how close they got. Harry felt something lurch from somewhere around the pit of his stomach. The new sensation nearly caused Harry to collapse.  He wanted Draco Malfoy unlike he had wanted anything else in his life and he wanted him now!

“Draco,” Harry managed to gasp. He didn’t know where this sudden bout of passion from Draco had come from. Draco seemed to be desperate not to let Harry go. Harry had no intention of letting him go, he, himself would most likely fall to the ground if he did.

“Perhaps we ought to move this to the bed,” Draco whispered. Desire was practically pouring out of his words. He wanted Harry, too. That much was abundantly clear. Desperate. Draco appeared so desperate and there was a certain unspoken urgency that radiated off of him. But why?

Harry froze, an abrupt war breaking out in his mind. He knew what Draco was implying, what he was asking. And he was more than aware of what his own teenage hormones were screaming for, but the bit of morality left in Harry’s mind forced him to stop and consider what they were doing. It was irresponsible. They were being irresponsible. It wasn’t right. Running away was one thing, but losing their virginity (though he could only vouch for himself in that category) was quite another. No. The nobleness left in Harry would not allow them to do it like this. Not now. Not in a place like this.

“Draco,” Harry panted, pushing a hand between them. “Stop.”

Draco sighed, but didn’t seem surprised by this. “I know,” he said quietly. He turned away from Harry and went to lie face down on the bed. “You’re not ready, are you.” It wasn’t a question so Harry didn’t respond. “Neither am I,” Draco stated. His voice was firm so Harry didn’t doubt his sincerity. “I only thought…” his voice trailed off and whatever the reason had been, was lost.

Harry had no idea what that reason or reasons had been. And at the moment he didn’t care. Draco had enough secrets for Harry not to feel put out by not knowing one more tiny thing. He stretched out on the bed next to Draco and rested his hand on the small of Draco’s back. Draco turned his face toward him and the embarrassment Draco felt was evident on his face. That face killed Harry. Draco Malfoy was too proud to ever have to be embarrassed.

“Some things shouldn’t be rushed,” Harry said. He rubbed Draco’s back, soothingly. “We’ll be ready some day.”

Draco laughed a humorless laugh. “With our luck we won’t live long enough for ‘some day’.”

Though Harry privately agreed with this he continued on as if he hadn’t heard him. “You’re father would probably murder me,” Harry told him, though he immediately regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. “I’m sorry,” he added as quickly as he could. “That was stupid. I shouldn’t have mentioned him.”

Draco relaxed a little, but still remained slightly tense. “It’s all right,” he said. “You make a valid point. My father would murder you and me right alongside you.”

“Meaning your father would object to our relationship or what we were about to do?”

“Both I imagine,” Draco answered honestly. “The knowledge of our relationship would only make him murder the both of us. But doing what we were about to do would be enough for him to take a few innocent bystanders out with us.” Harry laughed. Draco did not. Harry had to wonder just how much truth was in those words. Though at the moment he wasn’t feeling brave enough to ask Draco that question. Instead he decided to switch the subject.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t like you,” Harry insisted. And it really didn’t. “I only think we should wait for a better time and place. It definitely doesn’t mean that I don’t like you.”

Draco looked at him like he was mad. “I wasn’t even concerned with that,” he said calmly. “I know you’re already in love with me.”

Harry was shocked into stillness by this sudden declaration. Yes, he could admit to himself that he had strong feelings for the flaxen haired boy. Stronger than he probably should have, but having the truth so casually flung out on the table was quite a shock.

“And what about you?” Harry asked. His voice came out weaker than he would have liked. “What are your feelings for me?”

Draco frowned. He was obviously considering his reply very carefully. “You know that I’m very fond of you,” he said slowly.

“That’s not good enough,” Harry replied evenly. It really wasn’t. Harry could say that he was fond of a toaster and it would be true enough.

Draco’s frown grew deeper. Harry was certain that one day there would be a line permanently creased on Draco’s forehead. Draco would be a good-looking older man regardless. Harry had a sudden vision of the two of them, wrinkled and old, sitting on a porch somewhere, their hands clasped tightly together. Harry banished the thought out of his head. It wasn’t nice to think of things that might never happen.

“I genuinely like your company,” Draco offered.

But Harry shook his head at this. “Care to try again?”

“I know what you’re getting at,” Draco snapped. “I’m not going to say something I don’t believe in.” His expression then softened and he took Harry’s hand in his. “I can’t imagine being with anyone else. And even if I could imagine it, I wouldn’t want anyone but you.”

Harry nodded. That was enough. In fact it was more than enough to keep him satisfied in this life and the next. However what Draco added next surprised Harry.
“I don’t know why you haven’t been stolen away. I feel like I don’t deserve you.”
This surprised Harry for two reasons. The first was he had never known Draco Malfoy to believe that he didn’t deserve what he wanted. And the second was the high opinion Draco seemed to have of him. All those years of torment at Draco’s hand appeared to say otherwise, though that could have been Draco’s way of saying it wasn’t fair that Harry Potter didn’t belong to him.

Harry scooted closer to Draco and wrapped his arms around him. He lightly stroked the bruise on Draco’s cheek, smiling at the fact that Draco didn’t shy away from his touch.

“I don’t want to hear you talk that way,” Harry said softly. He kissed Draco on the nose. Draco made a face, indicating that he didn’t like being kissed on the nose. Harry laughed and took Draco’s hand, linking their fingers together as tightly as he could. “Not even death will make me let go of your hand.”

Draco’s eyes widened, but he didn’t pull away. He rested his cheek against their clasped hands.

“Do you truly mean it?” Draco whispered.

“When have you known me to lie?”

“Never,” Draco said, shaking his head. “But you are a Gryffindor, after all, which makes your motives rather questionable.

Harry grinned at this. “Aren’t we getting that backwards, love? Slytherins usually are the ones who have questionable motives.”

Draco laughed at this, a true genuine laugh. Harry loved seeing him smile. This was his Draco. This was the Draco nobody but him knew. This Draco would always be his. Harry grinned as well and smoothed back Draco’s already perfect hair. Draco laid his head on Harry’s chest, still laughing to himself. Harry tightened his hold on him. He knew that these carefree moments could never last. Things were about to become a lot more difficult with each passing day for them. Harry could only hope that he could continue to make Draco laugh like this until the very end.