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Description
Title: Hey There Draco Chapter 8
Chapter Title: A Dark Cloud Emerges
Author: Ruby13b
Summary: Set in the summer after 5th year. Harry and Draco are thrown together by chance and what starts as morbid curiosity transforms into an adventure that neither of them will ever forget.
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Violence.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.
Author's Notes: Thanks for waiting! Thanks to everyone reading this story! Thanks to M, this chapter is for you! ^_^

This is a Harry/Draco fanfic, meaning boy/boy, if you don't like, don't read. You have been warned!!

It was like waking up from some sort of nightmare and realizing it had all been a bad dream. Everything now felt so right, so safe. Harry could never remember feeling like he did at that moment, and it scared him to think of how his life had been before Draco. Harry truly had never been so happy, but there was also a dark cloud hovering over him, a darkness that he would not easily get rid of. Harry could not forget about Sirius and until he recovered him, the darkness would follow him no matter where he went or who he was with. Even if that person was Draco.

Putting all that aside, Harry was still exceptionally content to watch Draco sleep. Draco was snuggled up next to him, curled in the blankets. His hand was clutching a part of the blanket up to his mouth and his hair had fallen over his eyes. He looked so peaceful and Harry had to wonder if Draco had been sleeping this well before they began sharing a bed. Then again, that was only the second time they had shared a bed. Maybe Draco wouldn’t want to sleep next to him all the time. Harry hoped he would, though. He knew this was the best he’d slept in a long time. Since before Sirius died, at least.

Draco’s eyes began to flutter open and Harry quickly shut his eyes. He didn’t want Draco to think he’d been watching him sleep, even though that was exactly what he’d been doing. Harry felt Draco stiffen and then relax and shift a little closer to him. Harry opened his eyes and smiled.

“Hey,” he said softly.

Draco’s cheeks visibly reddened. “Hey,” he returned.

They both sat up, neither of them looking at the other. Harry didn’t know why it felt so awkward all of a sudden. Maybe it was all happening so fast and he was having a hard time keeping up. Harry felt it was time for him to say something extremely sappy that he would most likely regret later on. But he couldn’t stop himself. He hadn’t said anything sappy for a least a day.

Taking Draco’s hand and rubbing it with the pad of his thumb Harry said, “I don’t know what’s happening between us, but whatever it is, I like it.”

Draco looked at him with disbelief before smiling a little and saying, “I think I like it, too.”

Harry leaned forward to kiss Draco but was stopped by Draco breaking into a fit of coughs. Draco clutched his chest with one hand and held the other hand over his mouth as he coughed.

“Are you all right?” Harry asked. Draco’d had that cough for awhile now. Harry was beginning to get concerned.

Draco jumped out of bed, his hand still covering his mouth, and ran out of the room. Harry followed right after him, catching a glimpse of Draco before he ran into the bathroom.

“Draco?” Harry called, knocking on the bathroom door. He could hear Draco coughing through the wood.

“I’m fine,” Draco’s voice gasped. “Just give me a moment.”

Harry waited for about ten seconds before he decided to go in. To his utter amazement, Draco had forgotten to lock the door. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight he met.

Draco was bent over on the ground, blood running out of the corner of his mouth. The blood in the palm of his hand slipped through his fingers and made little droplets on the floor. Harry could do nothing but stare.

“I told you not to come in here!” Draco yelled furiously. He wiped away the blood on the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

“You didn’t tell me not to come in here,” Harry said quietly. He took a few steps towards Draco.

“Stay away!” Draco shouted before he started coughing again, struggling for breath.

“Draco…” Harry started.

“Just go!”

What more could Harry do? He slowly backed out of the room. What the hell? What was going on with Draco? Where had all the blood come from? Harry knew there was something horribly wrong with Draco, and he considered telling one of the adults for a moment. But in the end Harry decided against it. Draco had asked him before to keep it a secret. He was in so much pain, though, it hurt Harry it see it. What hurt even more was the fact that Draco pushing him away like that. Draco had said that he was always getting pushed aside, that he was always alone, but Draco was keeping everyone else out as well. No, Harry decided. He wasn’t going to let Draco push him out. Draco needed someone beside him and Harry Potter was just the boy for the job.

Harry turned straight around and marched back to the bathroom, sweeping the door open and shutting it behind him.

Draco was bent over the sink and looked up as Harry came in. “Bloody hell!” Draco exclaimed. “Not you again!”

“You can’t push me aside, Draco Malfoy,” Harry said sternly. “I’m here whether you like it or not and I want to help.”

“You can’t save everyone,” Draco told him coldly. “When is that going to sink into that thick skull of yours?”

Ignoring the ‘thick skull’ comment, Harry picked up the hand towel that was next to the sink and turned on the tap, letting a corner of the towel soak up the water. Harry then went over to Draco who recoiled away a little as Harry gently wiped the blood off of his face.

“Don’t be proud,” Harry said gently. “You can’t handle this alone.” Draco sighed and let Harry sit him down on the side of the bathtub. “Now, are you going to tell me what happened?”

Draco shook his head wildly. “Please, Harry, don’t make me talk about it. I just want to forget!” Draco cried.

“All right, all right,” Harry said soothingly. “Calm down. I won’t ask you anymore.” Harry didn’t like leaving it like that. He really did want to know what had happened. But if Draco wasn’t ready, Harry would just have to be patient. Harry was shocked by his own tolerance towards Draco. Even a year ago Harry would have gotten extremely angry and probably yelled and screamed as much as he could. Maybe it was because he was still recovering from the curse he’d been hit with. Or maybe when he’d lost Sirius, a part of him had died and he was just too tired to bother. Or perhaps, really, it was that Harry was just as alone as Draco. They needed each other and shouting would only make everything harder.

“Why are you doing this? Why do you keep helping me? By all rights you should hate me.” Tears leaked out of Draco’s eyes as he spoke these words. Harry wiped the tears away with his finger.

“There’s already so much hate in the world,” Harry said. “I don’t want to add any more. Besides,” he continued, smirking, “I’ve gotten used to having you around.”

Draco actually laughed a little and allowed Harry to help him up and back to their bedroom. Once back, Draco climbed into Harry’s bed instead of his own. They had spent the previous night in Draco’s bed. Harry was a little confused by the change in beds but he was content nonetheless.

Catching the look on Harry’s face, Draco said defensively, “I like your bed better than mine, all right?”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Harry said, holding up his hands. “But they are exactly the same, you realize.”

“Are not,” Draco mumbled, snuggling his face into the pillow. “Your bed smells like you.”

“Well, I have been sleeping in it,” Harry said, walking over to the bed and sitting down. Draco rolled over onto his back, giving Harry a quizzical look. “What’s that look for?” Harry asked, reaching over and sweeping Draco’s hair out of his face before he could stop himself. Draco didn’t seem to mind.

“I’m trying to make out your character,” Draco answered.

“My character?”

“Yes. Why are you being so nice to me? Do you truly like me?”

“Are you so amazed that someone might actually like you?”

“Not just anyone, you. I’ve done so many horrid things to you.”

“And I’ve done horrid things right back,” Harry pointed out.

“I’ve tried to get you expelled so many times.”

“None of which have worked.”

“I tried to get Hagrid fired and the Hippogriff executed.”

“Neither of which happened. Hermione slapped you and your arm was been slashed to pieces.”

“But I…”  Draco started, but Harry cut him off.

“You’re not doing a very good job of selling yourself,” Harry said jokingly.

“This isn’t funny, Potter,” Draco said somewhat harshly. “There’s something else. There’s something you don’t know. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into with me.”

Harry stopped smiling. He sighed and scooted closer to Draco on the bed. Draco recoiled a little and looked away. Harry gently laid his hand on top of Draco’s. Draco’s hand lay still underneath.

“Do you want the truth, Draco?” Harry asked. “The entire truth?” Draco nodded. That was exactly what he wanted. “I know you and I haven’t always treated each other the best.” Draco scoffed a little at this. Not treating each other the best was the understatement of the year.   At times Draco had been downright nasty and they both knew it. Harry cleared his throat with annoyance and continued, “But truly, Draco, I never once seriously thought you were evil. I simply thought you had been misled.” There was no arguing with that one. “I know something happened to you recently that changed your perspective. I don’t know what it was and for some reason you don’t want to tell me. And you don’t have to,” Harry added quickly. Draco laid his other hand on top of Harry’s. “I’m not explaining this well,” Harry mumbled.

“You can hardly be to blame for that,” Draco said seriously. “You are a Gryffindor, after all.”

“That has nothing to do with it!” Harry exclaimed. He then took another deep breath. “What I mean to say is you’re a really great person. I couldn’t see it before because I was blinded by my prejudices. But I see it now.”

“Sappy Gryffindor,” Draco said affectionately. He leaned in and gave Harry a very chaste kiss on the mouth. “You’re such a sentimental fool. I know you mean every word you say. But you have to understand…”

But exactly what Harry had to understand was interrupted by a knock on the door. Draco pulled his hands away from Harry as the door opened and Professor Lupin walked in. If Lupin found the scene in front of him out of the ordinary, he didn’t say so. Harry knew he and Draco had to look very suspicious. They were both in their nightclothes, Draco was in Harry’s bed and they were sitting a little too close.

“Harry, I’d like to speak with you,” Lupin said. He glanced at Draco. “Alone,” he added.

Harry nodded and stood up. Giving Draco what he hoped was a reassuring smile, Harry followed Lupin to the Professor’s room. Harry was certain this was what walking to the gallows had to feel like. Once inside the room, Lupin closed the door and motioned for Harry to take a seat in one of the chairs by the fireplace. Harry did so, sitting on the very edge of the chair.

“Tea, Harry?” Lupin offered. Harry shook his head. Lupin sighed and sat down in the chair opposite him. “Harry,” Lupin began, “I think we need to talk about Sirius.”

Harry frowned. Lupin had to know that saying Sirius’ name in front of him was taboo. “I don’t want to talk about him,” Harry said shortly.

“What you did the other day was nothing less than a suicide attempt,” Lupin said. “It may not be apparent to you, but I believe you are trying to put yourself in harm’s way in a desperate effort to do yourself injury. Perhaps even enough to end your life.”

Harry simply stared at Lupin. “You’re mad,” he said. “You’ve gone barking mad. I did not try to hurt myself.”

“On a conscious level, no,” Lupin agreed.

Harry stood up. He was shaking with fury. “If that’s all you have to say then I’m leaving.”

“Harry, wait,” Lupin said. “I’m not explaining this very well. Let me try again.”

Even though Harry had every desire to bolt out the door, he didn’t. He grudgingly sat down again, not looking at Lupin.  “I don’t see what any of this has to do with Sirius,” Harry said grudgingly.

“Your recklessness, Harry, is going to cost you your life if you don’t check it.”

“I still don’t see what that has to do with Sirius.”

“Sirius was the same way,” Lupin said quietly. He wasn’t looking at Harry. “He missed your father so much that he grew careless. And in the end it cost him his life. I see a lot of your godfather in you. I don’t want your fate to be the same as his.”

Harry leaned back in his chair, covering his mouth with his hand. So many indescribable emotions were running through him at that moment that he scarcely knew himself. Harry knew that Professor Lupin meant well, though he truly wanted nothing more than to be left alone. He didn’t want to talk about his father, he didn’t want to talk about Sirius and he didn’t want to talk about himself. So what if he was on the road to self-destruction? As long as he took Voldemort down with him there shouldn’t be a problem. Harry sighed. There was no way that anyone would understand. It was hopeless.

                                                         ~~~

Meanwhile, Draco was having troubles of his own. He’d decided that rather than waiting alone in the bedroom for Harry to return he would wait downstairs in the drawing room. Only the twins were in the room so Draco was in luck. There was something of the utmost importance that he wanted to discuss with them. Draco needed their advice regarding his relationship with Harry. And since Fred and George Weasley seemed to be the only people who were aware of Harry and Draco’s attachment to each other, there was no one else to ask.

Draco still had yet to work out his feelings. He knew that he was extremely fond of Harry and he liked when he was with him, but he just didn’t know where such a relationship could even hope to go. He knew that Harry loved him already which made him feel even worse. Harry hadn’t come right out and confessed his love, yet. They had only shared a few kisses, after all. But it was only a matter of time for the sappy Gryffindor.

“I don’t see what the problem is, Malfoy,” George Weasley said. “If you like him, you like him.”

“Seems pretty simple to me,” Fred added. “Go on, just shag him silly and get it over with.”

“Excuse me,” Draco said dryly, “but where did ‘shagging him silly’ come from?”

“You know you want to.”

“That’s hardly the point,” Draco said. “Believe it or not, I actually want something more substantial than that.”

“Even the more reason to do it.”

“Enough!” Draco shouted. “I don’t want to talk about that! Getting me and Harry to shag seems to be the only thing you two think about.”

“Not true,” Fred said defensively.

“That’s right,” George agreed, folding his arms across his chest and nodding. “You and Harry are not the only ones on our ‘get together list’.”

“For example, we think it high time our dear younger brother shags the bookworm.”

Trying desperately to block the unpleasant image of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger together, Draco said, “Could we please not talk about that, either?”

“Very well. What would you like to talk about?”

“You,” Draco said slowly. “Are the two of you always together?”

The twins exchanged glances. “Well, yes,” Fred answered. “We do everything together.”

“Is there nothing that you do by yourselves?”

“Nope, we do everything together.”

“Don’t you ever want to be alone?” Draco said. He could hardly believe that the twins were with each other 24/7. That would be too much for anyone.

“We’ve never been apart for more than a day,” George said. “We would probably die if it had been any longer.” Beside him, Fred nodded in agreement.

“That’s stupid.”

“Well, we don’t expect someone who’s not a twin to understand,” Fred said honestly. “The truth is we are two halves of the same whole. Separated we just don’t feel like a complete person.”

The twins lived for each other. Draco could understand that. But he wouldn’t believe that it was simply because they were twins. There had to be more to it than that.

“What if you weren’t twins?” Draco asked. “What then?”

The twins looked at each other for a moment before answering. It seemed that they were actually taking the question seriously, which Draco was grateful for.

“It would be the same thing,” George said slowly. “After all, Fred is my most important person.”

Most important person?

“That’s right,” Fred agreed. “Maybe it started because we are twins, but now it’s simply because we can’t live without each other.”

“Wait, wait,” Draco said. “You are each other’s most important person? I don’t get it.”

“What’s not to understand?”

“It seems pretty clear to us.” Fred then sighed and continued seriously, “It is what it is, Malfoy. Everyone has someone who is the most important person to them.”

“It could be a friend, relative, brother, sister, parent, boyfriend, girlfriend,” George said. “It’s the person who always comes first in your mind.”

Draco’s head was suddenly full of images of Harry. Harry, the way he looked when he smiled or when he laughed. Harry, when he was sad and the way his eyes burned with his past. And finally Harry, with the expression he always had when he saw Draco. It was the same expression Draco had seen for the past five years. It was neither a good look nor a bad look, merely a look, green eyes blazing with confined passion. Harry was always on his mind. From the first moment they’d met he had been a constant presence in the back of his head. Draco understood that now.

The twins seemed to recognize the flame igniting in Draco’s brain. They exchanged knowing glances as Draco’s attention snapped back into the present and he nodded, shakily.

“If you like him, tell him.”

                                                               ~~~

Harry left Professor Lupin’s room feeling even worse (if it was possible) than when he had entered. He knew the Professor had every reason and right to be concerned about him. And in truth he was happy to know that Lupin cared as much as he did. But even with that being said, Harry’s mind was made up and nothing could sway him from the path he had chosen.

Trudging moodily back to his room, he was surprised to see that Draco wasn’t there. Harry was worried about Draco and the secrets he was keeping, though he knew there was nothing he could do but wait and hope to Merlin it would get better.

Harry was even more shocked when he found Draco in the drawing room, accompanied by the twins, of all people. Harry wouldn’t have guessed that Draco would talk to the twins, especially after the stunt they’d tried to pull with the aphrodisiac. The twins left the room almost as soon as Harry entered, throwing Draco very meaningful glances on their way out. Harry decided that he really didn’t even want to know what that was all about. Harry didn’t have to say anything; Draco immediately got up and followed him back to their room.

Once back inside the bedroom and after making sure the door was firmly shut, they laid down side by side on Harry’s bed. Hands next to each other. Fingers gently touching.

“Was it bad?” Draco asked.

“No worse than I expected.”

“Well, do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” There was a very pregnant pause in which Draco coughed a few times and Harry squeezed his eyes shut, biting back the urge to demand that Draco confess his secrets. Instead Harry asked, “Were you talking to the twins?”

“A little,” Draco answered vaguely.

“Did they have anything useful to say?”

“Not really... Harry?”

“Yes?”

“I… well… I…” Draco struggled. “I’m glad you’re here.” Well, it wasn’t ‘I love you’. It wasn’t even ‘I like you’. But it was a start.

“I’m glad I’m here, too,” Harry answered honestly. He draped his arm around Draco, who snuggled into him. Harry closed his eyes, taking that moment to rest. He knew this tranquility wouldn’t last long. They had work to do.

Description
Title: Hey There Draco Chapter 8
Chapter Title: A Dark Cloud Emerges
Author: Ruby13b
Summary: Set in the summer after 5th year. Harry and Draco are thrown together by chance and what starts as morbid curiosity transforms into an adventure that neither of them will ever forget.
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Violence.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.
Author's Notes: Thanks for waiting! Thanks to everyone reading this story! Thanks to M, this chapter is for you! ^_^

This is a Harry/Draco fanfic, meaning boy/boy, if you don't like, don't read. You have been warned!!

It was like waking up from some sort of nightmare and realizing it had all been a bad dream. Everything now felt so right, so safe. Harry could never remember feeling like he did at that moment, and it scared him to think of how his life had been before Draco. Harry truly had never been so happy, but there was also a dark cloud hovering over him, a darkness that he would not easily get rid of. Harry could not forget about Sirius and until he recovered him, the darkness would follow him no matter where he went or who he was with. Even if that person was Draco.

Putting all that aside, Harry was still exceptionally content to watch Draco sleep. Draco was snuggled up next to him, curled in the blankets. His hand was clutching a part of the blanket up to his mouth and his hair had fallen over his eyes. He looked so peaceful and Harry had to wonder if Draco had been sleeping this well before they began sharing a bed. Then again, that was only the second time they had shared a bed. Maybe Draco wouldn’t want to sleep next to him all the time. Harry hoped he would, though. He knew this was the best he’d slept in a long time. Since before Sirius died, at least.

Draco’s eyes began to flutter open and Harry quickly shut his eyes. He didn’t want Draco to think he’d been watching him sleep, even though that was exactly what he’d been doing. Harry felt Draco stiffen and then relax and shift a little closer to him. Harry opened his eyes and smiled.

“Hey,” he said softly.

Draco’s cheeks visibly reddened. “Hey,” he returned.

They both sat up, neither of them looking at the other. Harry didn’t know why it felt so awkward all of a sudden. Maybe it was all happening so fast and he was having a hard time keeping up. Harry felt it was time for him to say something extremely sappy that he would most likely regret later on. But he couldn’t stop himself. He hadn’t said anything sappy for a least a day.

Taking Draco’s hand and rubbing it with the pad of his thumb Harry said, “I don’t know what’s happening between us, but whatever it is, I like it.”

Draco looked at him with disbelief before smiling a little and saying, “I think I like it, too.”

Harry leaned forward to kiss Draco but was stopped by Draco breaking into a fit of coughs. Draco clutched his chest with one hand and held the other hand over his mouth as he coughed.

“Are you all right?” Harry asked. Draco’d had that cough for awhile now. Harry was beginning to get concerned.

Draco jumped out of bed, his hand still covering his mouth, and ran out of the room. Harry followed right after him, catching a glimpse of Draco before he ran into the bathroom.

“Draco?” Harry called, knocking on the bathroom door. He could hear Draco coughing through the wood.

“I’m fine,” Draco’s voice gasped. “Just give me a moment.”

Harry waited for about ten seconds before he decided to go in. To his utter amazement, Draco had forgotten to lock the door. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight he met.

Draco was bent over on the ground, blood running out of the corner of his mouth. The blood in the palm of his hand slipped through his fingers and made little droplets on the floor. Harry could do nothing but stare.

“I told you not to come in here!” Draco yelled furiously. He wiped away the blood on the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

“You didn’t tell me not to come in here,” Harry said quietly. He took a few steps towards Draco.

“Stay away!” Draco shouted before he started coughing again, struggling for breath.

“Draco…” Harry started.

“Just go!”

What more could Harry do? He slowly backed out of the room. What the hell? What was going on with Draco? Where had all the blood come from? Harry knew there was something horribly wrong with Draco, and he considered telling one of the adults for a moment. But in the end Harry decided against it. Draco had asked him before to keep it a secret. He was in so much pain, though, it hurt Harry it see it. What hurt even more was the fact that Draco pushing him away like that. Draco had said that he was always getting pushed aside, that he was always alone, but Draco was keeping everyone else out as well. No, Harry decided. He wasn’t going to let Draco push him out. Draco needed someone beside him and Harry Potter was just the boy for the job.

Harry turned straight around and marched back to the bathroom, sweeping the door open and shutting it behind him.

Draco was bent over the sink and looked up as Harry came in. “Bloody hell!” Draco exclaimed. “Not you again!”

“You can’t push me aside, Draco Malfoy,” Harry said sternly. “I’m here whether you like it or not and I want to help.”

“You can’t save everyone,” Draco told him coldly. “When is that going to sink into that thick skull of yours?”

Ignoring the ‘thick skull’ comment, Harry picked up the hand towel that was next to the sink and turned on the tap, letting a corner of the towel soak up the water. Harry then went over to Draco who recoiled away a little as Harry gently wiped the blood off of his face.

“Don’t be proud,” Harry said gently. “You can’t handle this alone.” Draco sighed and let Harry sit him down on the side of the bathtub. “Now, are you going to tell me what happened?”

Draco shook his head wildly. “Please, Harry, don’t make me talk about it. I just want to forget!” Draco cried.

“All right, all right,” Harry said soothingly. “Calm down. I won’t ask you anymore.” Harry didn’t like leaving it like that. He really did want to know what had happened. But if Draco wasn’t ready, Harry would just have to be patient. Harry was shocked by his own tolerance towards Draco. Even a year ago Harry would have gotten extremely angry and probably yelled and screamed as much as he could. Maybe it was because he was still recovering from the curse he’d been hit with. Or maybe when he’d lost Sirius, a part of him had died and he was just too tired to bother. Or perhaps, really, it was that Harry was just as alone as Draco. They needed each other and shouting would only make everything harder.

“Why are you doing this? Why do you keep helping me? By all rights you should hate me.” Tears leaked out of Draco’s eyes as he spoke these words. Harry wiped the tears away with his finger.

“There’s already so much hate in the world,” Harry said. “I don’t want to add any more. Besides,” he continued, smirking, “I’ve gotten used to having you around.”

Draco actually laughed a little and allowed Harry to help him up and back to their bedroom. Once back, Draco climbed into Harry’s bed instead of his own. They had spent the previous night in Draco’s bed. Harry was a little confused by the change in beds but he was content nonetheless.

Catching the look on Harry’s face, Draco said defensively, “I like your bed better than mine, all right?”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Harry said, holding up his hands. “But they are exactly the same, you realize.”

“Are not,” Draco mumbled, snuggling his face into the pillow. “Your bed smells like you.”

“Well, I have been sleeping in it,” Harry said, walking over to the bed and sitting down. Draco rolled over onto his back, giving Harry a quizzical look. “What’s that look for?” Harry asked, reaching over and sweeping Draco’s hair out of his face before he could stop himself. Draco didn’t seem to mind.

“I’m trying to make out your character,” Draco answered.

“My character?”

“Yes. Why are you being so nice to me? Do you truly like me?”

“Are you so amazed that someone might actually like you?”

“Not just anyone, you. I’ve done so many horrid things to you.”

“And I’ve done horrid things right back,” Harry pointed out.

“I’ve tried to get you expelled so many times.”

“None of which have worked.”

“I tried to get Hagrid fired and the Hippogriff executed.”

“Neither of which happened. Hermione slapped you and your arm was been slashed to pieces.”

“But I…”  Draco started, but Harry cut him off.

“You’re not doing a very good job of selling yourself,” Harry said jokingly.

“This isn’t funny, Potter,” Draco said somewhat harshly. “There’s something else. There’s something you don’t know. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into with me.”

Harry stopped smiling. He sighed and scooted closer to Draco on the bed. Draco recoiled a little and looked away. Harry gently laid his hand on top of Draco’s. Draco’s hand lay still underneath.

“Do you want the truth, Draco?” Harry asked. “The entire truth?” Draco nodded. That was exactly what he wanted. “I know you and I haven’t always treated each other the best.” Draco scoffed a little at this. Not treating each other the best was the understatement of the year.   At times Draco had been downright nasty and they both knew it. Harry cleared his throat with annoyance and continued, “But truly, Draco, I never once seriously thought you were evil. I simply thought you had been misled.” There was no arguing with that one. “I know something happened to you recently that changed your perspective. I don’t know what it was and for some reason you don’t want to tell me. And you don’t have to,” Harry added quickly. Draco laid his other hand on top of Harry’s. “I’m not explaining this well,” Harry mumbled.

“You can hardly be to blame for that,” Draco said seriously. “You are a Gryffindor, after all.”

“That has nothing to do with it!” Harry exclaimed. He then took another deep breath. “What I mean to say is you’re a really great person. I couldn’t see it before because I was blinded by my prejudices. But I see it now.”

“Sappy Gryffindor,” Draco said affectionately. He leaned in and gave Harry a very chaste kiss on the mouth. “You’re such a sentimental fool. I know you mean every word you say. But you have to understand…”

But exactly what Harry had to understand was interrupted by a knock on the door. Draco pulled his hands away from Harry as the door opened and Professor Lupin walked in. If Lupin found the scene in front of him out of the ordinary, he didn’t say so. Harry knew he and Draco had to look very suspicious. They were both in their nightclothes, Draco was in Harry’s bed and they were sitting a little too close.

“Harry, I’d like to speak with you,” Lupin said. He glanced at Draco. “Alone,” he added.

Harry nodded and stood up. Giving Draco what he hoped was a reassuring smile, Harry followed Lupin to the Professor’s room. Harry was certain this was what walking to the gallows had to feel like. Once inside the room, Lupin closed the door and motioned for Harry to take a seat in one of the chairs by the fireplace. Harry did so, sitting on the very edge of the chair.

“Tea, Harry?” Lupin offered. Harry shook his head. Lupin sighed and sat down in the chair opposite him. “Harry,” Lupin began, “I think we need to talk about Sirius.”

Harry frowned. Lupin had to know that saying Sirius’ name in front of him was taboo. “I don’t want to talk about him,” Harry said shortly.

“What you did the other day was nothing less than a suicide attempt,” Lupin said. “It may not be apparent to you, but I believe you are trying to put yourself in harm’s way in a desperate effort to do yourself injury. Perhaps even enough to end your life.”

Harry simply stared at Lupin. “You’re mad,” he said. “You’ve gone barking mad. I did not try to hurt myself.”

“On a conscious level, no,” Lupin agreed.

Harry stood up. He was shaking with fury. “If that’s all you have to say then I’m leaving.”

“Harry, wait,” Lupin said. “I’m not explaining this very well. Let me try again.”

Even though Harry had every desire to bolt out the door, he didn’t. He grudgingly sat down again, not looking at Lupin.  “I don’t see what any of this has to do with Sirius,” Harry said grudgingly.

“Your recklessness, Harry, is going to cost you your life if you don’t check it.”

“I still don’t see what that has to do with Sirius.”

“Sirius was the same way,” Lupin said quietly. He wasn’t looking at Harry. “He missed your father so much that he grew careless. And in the end it cost him his life. I see a lot of your godfather in you. I don’t want your fate to be the same as his.”

Harry leaned back in his chair, covering his mouth with his hand. So many indescribable emotions were running through him at that moment that he scarcely knew himself. Harry knew that Professor Lupin meant well, though he truly wanted nothing more than to be left alone. He didn’t want to talk about his father, he didn’t want to talk about Sirius and he didn’t want to talk about himself. So what if he was on the road to self-destruction? As long as he took Voldemort down with him there shouldn’t be a problem. Harry sighed. There was no way that anyone would understand. It was hopeless.

                                                         ~~~

Meanwhile, Draco was having troubles of his own. He’d decided that rather than waiting alone in the bedroom for Harry to return he would wait downstairs in the drawing room. Only the twins were in the room so Draco was in luck. There was something of the utmost importance that he wanted to discuss with them. Draco needed their advice regarding his relationship with Harry. And since Fred and George Weasley seemed to be the only people who were aware of Harry and Draco’s attachment to each other, there was no one else to ask.

Draco still had yet to work out his feelings. He knew that he was extremely fond of Harry and he liked when he was with him, but he just didn’t know where such a relationship could even hope to go. He knew that Harry loved him already which made him feel even worse. Harry hadn’t come right out and confessed his love, yet. They had only shared a few kisses, after all. But it was only a matter of time for the sappy Gryffindor.

“I don’t see what the problem is, Malfoy,” George Weasley said. “If you like him, you like him.”

“Seems pretty simple to me,” Fred added. “Go on, just shag him silly and get it over with.”

“Excuse me,” Draco said dryly, “but where did ‘shagging him silly’ come from?”

“You know you want to.”

“That’s hardly the point,” Draco said. “Believe it or not, I actually want something more substantial than that.”

“Even the more reason to do it.”

“Enough!” Draco shouted. “I don’t want to talk about that! Getting me and Harry to shag seems to be the only thing you two think about.”

“Not true,” Fred said defensively.

“That’s right,” George agreed, folding his arms across his chest and nodding. “You and Harry are not the only ones on our ‘get together list’.”

“For example, we think it high time our dear younger brother shags the bookworm.”

Trying desperately to block the unpleasant image of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger together, Draco said, “Could we please not talk about that, either?”

“Very well. What would you like to talk about?”

“You,” Draco said slowly. “Are the two of you always together?”

The twins exchanged glances. “Well, yes,” Fred answered. “We do everything together.”

“Is there nothing that you do by yourselves?”

“Nope, we do everything together.”

“Don’t you ever want to be alone?” Draco said. He could hardly believe that the twins were with each other 24/7. That would be too much for anyone.

“We’ve never been apart for more than a day,” George said. “We would probably die if it had been any longer.” Beside him, Fred nodded in agreement.

“That’s stupid.”

“Well, we don’t expect someone who’s not a twin to understand,” Fred said honestly. “The truth is we are two halves of the same whole. Separated we just don’t feel like a complete person.”

The twins lived for each other. Draco could understand that. But he wouldn’t believe that it was simply because they were twins. There had to be more to it than that.

“What if you weren’t twins?” Draco asked. “What then?”

The twins looked at each other for a moment before answering. It seemed that they were actually taking the question seriously, which Draco was grateful for.

“It would be the same thing,” George said slowly. “After all, Fred is my most important person.”

Most important person?

“That’s right,” Fred agreed. “Maybe it started because we are twins, but now it’s simply because we can’t live without each other.”

“Wait, wait,” Draco said. “You are each other’s most important person? I don’t get it.”

“What’s not to understand?”

“It seems pretty clear to us.” Fred then sighed and continued seriously, “It is what it is, Malfoy. Everyone has someone who is the most important person to them.”

“It could be a friend, relative, brother, sister, parent, boyfriend, girlfriend,” George said. “It’s the person who always comes first in your mind.”

Draco’s head was suddenly full of images of Harry. Harry, the way he looked when he smiled or when he laughed. Harry, when he was sad and the way his eyes burned with his past. And finally Harry, with the expression he always had when he saw Draco. It was the same expression Draco had seen for the past five years. It was neither a good look nor a bad look, merely a look, green eyes blazing with confined passion. Harry was always on his mind. From the first moment they’d met he had been a constant presence in the back of his head. Draco understood that now.

The twins seemed to recognize the flame igniting in Draco’s brain. They exchanged knowing glances as Draco’s attention snapped back into the present and he nodded, shakily.

“If you like him, tell him.”

                                                               ~~~

Harry left Professor Lupin’s room feeling even worse (if it was possible) than when he had entered. He knew the Professor had every reason and right to be concerned about him. And in truth he was happy to know that Lupin cared as much as he did. But even with that being said, Harry’s mind was made up and nothing could sway him from the path he had chosen.

Trudging moodily back to his room, he was surprised to see that Draco wasn’t there. Harry was worried about Draco and the secrets he was keeping, though he knew there was nothing he could do but wait and hope to Merlin it would get better.

Harry was even more shocked when he found Draco in the drawing room, accompanied by the twins, of all people. Harry wouldn’t have guessed that Draco would talk to the twins, especially after the stunt they’d tried to pull with the aphrodisiac. The twins left the room almost as soon as Harry entered, throwing Draco very meaningful glances on their way out. Harry decided that he really didn’t even want to know what that was all about. Harry didn’t have to say anything; Draco immediately got up and followed him back to their room.

Once back inside the bedroom and after making sure the door was firmly shut, they laid down side by side on Harry’s bed. Hands next to each other. Fingers gently touching.

“Was it bad?” Draco asked.

“No worse than I expected.”

“Well, do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” There was a very pregnant pause in which Draco coughed a few times and Harry squeezed his eyes shut, biting back the urge to demand that Draco confess his secrets. Instead Harry asked, “Were you talking to the twins?”

“A little,” Draco answered vaguely.

“Did they have anything useful to say?”

“Not really... Harry?”

“Yes?”

“I… well… I…” Draco struggled. “I’m glad you’re here.” Well, it wasn’t ‘I love you’. It wasn’t even ‘I like you’. But it was a start.

“I’m glad I’m here, too,” Harry answered honestly. He draped his arm around Draco, who snuggled into him. Harry closed his eyes, taking that moment to rest. He knew this tranquility wouldn’t last long. They had work to do.