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Title: I'll Meet You There
Author: Ruby13b
Summary: Draco has been watching Harry waiting down by the lake for some time now. What is he waiting for? What will Draco do about it? And can a simple promise be enough for these two boys to survive the war?
Genres: Drama, Romance,
Rating: R
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content
Status: Complete
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.

***This is a Harry/Draco fanfiction, meaning boy/boy. If you don't like, don't read.

It was the third night in a row that Draco Malfoy had watched Harry Potter go down to the lake. Harry Potter, the golden boy, never even did much. He would simply clasp his hands behind his back and stare out across the water, almost as if he were waiting for something. Draco couldn’t help but find this behavior intriguing. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was becoming captivated by the other boy. The way Harry would rake his hands through his hair and then slump to the ground, as if he was defeated. Harry would sit with his legs drawn close to his chest and his forehead resting against his knees. He would stay like that for a time and then, as suddenly as he came he went again. He would get up, brush the dirt off of his clothes and return to the castle. Draco would then move to stand where Harry had just been. He didn’t know why.

The only thing Draco did know was that he had to do something about it. Though he didn’t know what he ought to do. He wanted to talk to the Gryffindor boy. But what could he say? Why would Potter even want to listen to him? Then again, had he gone mental? He really wanted to talk to Potter?

Draco shook himself out of his head to stare at Harry. Like always, he had his hands behind his back and was gazing blankly at the water. Harry heaved a huge sigh but did nothing more. It was now or never for Draco. Treading lightly, Draco made his way over to Harry. He figured the direct approach was the best one in dealing with the boy who lived.

Harry stiffened at the rustle of movement behind him. He turned, noticing Draco. Harry didn’t seem to be overly surprised to see him there. He sighed again and turned back around. He said nothing for several moments. Draco didn’t say anything either.

“If you want to torment me, can’t you wait for the daylight hours?” Harry finally said.

Draco was shocked by his words. He moved to stand closer to Harry, though he wasn’t within touching distance. It was best to keep at least a little air between them.

“I’m not here to torment you,” Draco said quietly. Harry looked at him, disbelief lacing his eyes. Draco chuckled a little at this. He could hardly believe it himself. “Well, I’m not.”

Harry shrugged noncommittally and turned back to the water. Draco eyed Harry suspiciously. This behavior was almost more than he could handle.

“If you’re not here to prolong my suffering, then why are you here?” Harry asked.

“What are you doing out here?” Draco asked, switching the subject.

Harry didn’t answer right away. He seemed to now be looking at something just beyond the water. No, not at something, for something. It was like he was waiting.

“I like it out here,” Harry answered vaguely. Draco made a noise in his throat, implying that he wasn’t taking Harry’s word for it. Harry turned and looked Draco straight in the eye. “There’s no deep or profound reason. I just like it, that’s all.”

Draco waved his hand a little saying, “Fine then, keep your secrets. I don’t particularly care why you’re out here.” Draco had had enough of this charade. Honestly, trying to get information out of Harry Potter was like pulling teeth. He turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Harry asked.

Draco stopped. “Do you honestly care, Potter?”

Harry turned his eyes away from Draco and muttered, “It was just nice not to be alone for once.”

Draco could have told him that he hadn’t been alone for the past three days, but that would be admitting to having watched Harry for that long. That wasn’t something Draco was going to do.

“You think I make good company?” Draco asked, bewildered. “Sweet Merlin, Potter, you must be desperate.”

Harry’s green eyes flashed in anger. “Go away, Malfoy!” he yelled. “I can’t stand to look at you any more!”

Taken aback by Harry’s sudden outburst, Draco sneered, “Fine! I hope you have a good time out here alone!” With nothing more Draco stormed away. Little did he know that Harry’s eyes were watching him leave sadly.

                                                      ~~~

Draco didn’t return for another two nights. The next time he did come down to the lake he found Harry sitting under the tree that was close to the lake. Harry didn’t even turn around as Draco approached.

“’Lo, Malfoy,” Harry said dully. His voice sounded hoarse and cracked. Draco said nothing in response. He merely sat down. They were closer together than they had been on the first night.

“I know why you do it,” Draco told him abruptly.

“Do what?” Harry asked reproachfully.

“This.” Draco made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “I know why you seek solitude.”

“Congratulations,” Harry said dully. He didn’t see why he needed to say anything else.

“You shouldn’t do this to yourself. You’ll make yourself go mad,” Draco pointed out.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m only going to die anyway,” Harry said.

“Ah, so that’s what this is about,” Draco said.

“What?” Harry exclaimed indignantly. “You said you knew!”

“Well, I didn’t really,” Draco said simply. “I knew that if I said I did, you’d end up saying what it was.”

Harry was at a loss for words. He gaped at Draco with his mouth open soundlessly. Draco smirked at him. “Slytherin!” Draco offered as an explanation.

“No joking,” Harry said, shaking his head. “I walked right into that one.”

They both fell silent again. Draco peered at Harry.

“You’re scared,” Draco said.

“Of course I am. I’d be a fool if I wasn’t,” Harry told him, repeating the words that Lupin had said to him all that time ago.

Draco considered teasing Harry about losing his Gryffindor courage, but even he knew that was in bad taste, so he said nothing. Draco stood up and walked over to the edge of the lake. He picked up a stone from the bank and began tossing it in the air and catching it.

“I suppose it can’t be helped,” Draco said; he tossed the stone into the water. It skipped twice and then vanished. Draco watched Harry follow the stone with his eyes.

Harry then sighed, glancing over at Draco. There was something behind his eyes that Harry couldn’t figure out. “Alright, Malfoy,” Harry said. “What are you playing at?”

“Haven’t a clue what you mean,” Draco said, scratching his chin leisurely.

“Why are you being so…” Harry stopped, searching for the word, “so…nice!”

Draco stared at Harry. He didn’t think that he was being nice. In fact he had thought it was quite the opposite.

“I thought you hated me,” Harry continued.

“I do,” Draco assured him. He wasn’t about to deny that simple fact, though he wasn’t about to admit that there was more to it than untouched hatred. Yes, that was one of the things he felt towards Harry. But there was something else there, something that lay deep, deep inside of him. Though he wasn’t about to let it out.

“Then, why?” Harry shouted. His voice echoed across the lake.

Draco didn’t respond. He stretched out on the grass with his hands behind his head. Harry watched him reproachfully. Draco smirked at him. Harry looked away, his cheeks red.

“Maybe it’s because we’re not so different,” Draco finally said.

Harry sighed, defeated. “Don’t you have friends you’re supposed to be with right now?” he asked.

“Not really,” Draco admitted. “They probably don’t even know I’m not there.”

“That’s depressing,” Harry muttered.

“Not really,” Draco repeated. “I’d rather spend the night with you.”

Harry looked at him, shocked. Draco was a little surprised by his own audacity as well, though he wasn’t about to let it show.

Harry exhaled slowly. “You confuse me. You know that?” Draco didn’t respond. “And I swear if this is some sort of mean joke, I’ll make you regret it.”

“Fair enough,” Draco agreed. “But this isn’t a joke.”

“I’m really not much company,” Harry told him. “Nothing good will come of you wasting your time here.”

“It’s what I said before,” Draco explained. “We’re not so different, you and me.”

“And how do you figure that?”

“Well, we are on the same side…” Draco began. His parents had decided to defect earlier in the year. This came as no huge surprise to Draco. The Malfoys had always been family oriented. Voldemort was jeopardizing the safety of the family, so they went where they would be out of harm's way.  To the ‘good’ side, Harry Potter’s side. Not that the ‘good’ side was completely hazard-free. But it was certainly better.

“I know that,” Harry said stiffly.

“And our whole lives, we’ve both been living it for someone else. We’ve always belonged to someone else. Always being the person everyone wanted us to be.”

Harry didn’t say anything to this. Draco was about to continue when Harry spoke up.

“I’ve always been the hero, and you’ve always been the bad boy.”

Draco nodded. “Don’t you see how skewed it was?”

“You mean how skewed it still is,” Harry cut in dully.

“That’s right. We are only what they want us to be. That’s why you like being out here alone. You don’t have to pretend.”

“But I’m not alone,” Harry said, glancing somewhat shyly at Draco.

Draco chuckled. “No, I suppose you’re not, even if I am your enemy.”

“You’re not my enemy,” Harry answered vaguely. “School rival, maybe, but not enemy.”

Draco had no more words to say, so he didn’t say anything. That’s how he was. If there was nothing more to say, nothing should be said. Draco hated when people filled up stillness with unnecessary chatter only because they couldn’t bear to live in silence for a few moments. Harry obviously felt the same way, for he said nothing as well.

Draco let his eyes wander over Harry, taking in his whole appearance. His baggy clothes, horrid glasses and messy hair. Draco couldn’t help but be strangely fond of it all. Harry turned his head, looking at Draco. They shared a small smile. This could really be the start of something, Draco thought to himself. Just maybe.

                                                       ~~~

The next night started out somewhat differently. Draco was the first to appear at the lake. He went right down to the water, dipping his hand right in. It was cold, but not unbearably so. He swished his hand back and forth in the water, reveling in the wetness.

“I thought big boys didn’t play in the water,” said a voice behind him. Draco could hear the smile in the voice. Draco smirked and turned around only to be met with an equally amused grin on the face of one Harry Potter.

“Who ever said I was a ‘big’ boy,” Draco replied impishly. Harry laughed at this and joined him by the edge of the lake. He crouched next to it and stuck his hand in as Draco had just done. He pulled his hand out, grinning.

“Feels great!” Harry said. “Care for a swim?”

Draco looked at Harry, then down at the water, and then back at Harry. “You must be joking, right?” he said indignantly.

“I assure you I’m not,” Harry told him. “I take swimming very seriously.” He smirked. “What’s the matter? Scared, Malfoy?”

“You wish!” Draco answered automatically. Harry grinned even more at this and began pulling off his shirt. “Hang on!” Draco exclaimed. “You said nothing about going starkers!”

Harry paused for a moment before replying, “Relax, Malfoy. I’m not taking it all off. Just my shirt and shoes.” Harry stopped again, one shoe in his hand. “Go on,” he urged. “You, too.”

It appeared to Draco that he had no say in the matter and, grumbling, he started removing his shirt, shoes and socks. Unlike Harry, Draco neatly folded up his shirt and placed his socks in his shoes, putting his shirt on top of his shoes. Harry rolled his eyes at Draco, to which Draco answered, “I like to take care of my possessions, Potter.” He glanced at Harry’s shirt, which was in a crumpled heap next to Harry’s shoes and socks, which were nowhere near each other. “Maybe if you did the same,” Draco continued, “you wouldn’t look like such a street urchin half of the time.”

Harry shrugged at this. “You have me there, I suppose,” he admitted.  He stood up, stretching his arms up in the air. Draco couldn’t stop his eyes from wandering over Harry’s bare chest. Harry was oblivious to this. Draco had to acknowledge that he liked what he saw. While Harry had always been rather scrawny for his age, he now, as a direct result of his training, had acquired a nicely toned torso and arms. Harry cleared his throat and Draco blushed, knowing he had been caught staring.

“Well then,” Harry said. “Who’s going to be the brave one and jump in first?”

Draco glanced at the water and then back at Harry, smirking. “I thought bravery was for Gryffindors,” he said innocently.

“A myth, I can assure you,” Harry returned. “We’re actually nothing more than a bunch of cowards.”

“I knew this, of course,” Draco said. Harry walked up to stand next to him, laying a cool hand on his shoulder. Draco started a little at the unexpected contact.

“Yes, I know you did,” Harry said. And with that he gave Draco a big shove, pushing him into the water.

Draco resurfaced coughing and sputtering. Harry laughed.

“And that, my dear Malfoy, was an example of a whole other kind of bravery!” Harry exclaimed wickedly.

“Potter!” Draco growled.

“For it’s easy to talk of putting your life on the line,” Harry continued without missing a beat. He took a few steps back and forth. Draco eyed him like a cat watching a mouse. “But quite another one to actually do it, I’m afraid.”

“Your life really is going to be on the line once I catch you, Potter,” Draco promised.

“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” Harry told him sincerely. “But the ‘catching’ part may prove to be rather difficult, don’t you agree?”

That was all it took for Draco to lunge out, seizing Harry by the wrist. Harry shrieked and struggled, but Draco could tell that he was enjoying every moment of it.

“You make yourself ridiculous,” Draco commented, pulling Harry into the water. Harry squeaked as the cold water hit his bare chest. Draco laughed and splashed Harry in the face. Harry retaliated by splashing Draco back.  They splashed the water back and forth for awhile before Draco decided to go all out and tackle Harry.

Draco enveloped Harry in his arms, letting them both sink beneath the surface. They were only under for a couple of seconds.  Still holding Harry in his arms, Draco sent them back up to the surface, where they remained in their tight embrace. Draco expected Harry to draw away from him immediately and was surprised when Harry instead rested his head on Draco’s shoulder. Draco was suddenly in a panic of what to do. He was holding another boy. He had never even held a girl like this before, and now he was hugging Harry-bloody-Potter like it was the most natural thing to do.

Harry drew back, a blush now on his cheeks. Draco’s eyes drifted to Harry’s lips. They looked so red and soft. Harry nibbled on his bottom lip self-consciously. Oh, how Draco longed to press his own mouth against those lips. It wasn’t something he had ever mindfully thought of doing before this moment, but it seemed like a good idea now. Draco inched closer to Harry. Harry raised his emerald eyes to meet Draco’s. Draco could now feel Harry’s breath on his face. What was he waiting for? Now was his chance. Harry’s breath hitched a little. Draco hesitantly put his hand on the side of Harry’s face. Harry closed his eyes, tilting his head back a little. Draco smirked at this. Draco was taller then Harry. Always had been and most likely always would be.

Draco leaned in with every intention of giving the boy-who-lived a kiss that he would never forget. But all of a sudden something told him to stop. Draco cleared his throat and let his hand fall away from Harry’s face. Draco took a few steps back. Harry gave him a confused look but then shrugged and ambled back up to the bank and sat down next to his clothes. After a fleeting moment in which Draco considered running away, he joined him, sitting a little further away than he would have normally.

Harry glanced at Draco and then down at his own hands folded in his lap. “Draco?” Harry asked suddenly. Draco was startled by Harry using his given name, and looked over at him inquisitively. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yes,” Draco answered.

Harry took a deep breath and seemed to be considering what words to use. “What do you think will happen after the war?”

Draco thought for a moment before answering. “I think…” he said slowly, “that eventually, people will start really living lives again. It won’t be right away. But…eventually.” Draco hadn’t really thought about life after the war. He always assumed that he wouldn’t live through it so he needn’t bother with a future.

As if reading his thoughts Harry asked, “What do you think will happen to you?”

“I’m not sure,” Draco answered. He didn’t want to let Harry in on his morbid thoughts. He knew it would only upset the smaller boy.

“I don’t know what will become of me,” Harry admitted. “I’d like to think that I’ll be alive…” he stopped. Draco moved a little closer. Close enough that if he reached out his hand he could touch Harry. “…but I’m not hopeful…” They really weren’t as different as other people thought. Draco laid his hand on Harry’s shoulder. Harry turned to look Draco in the eyes. “I’m lonely, Draco,” he whispered. Draco tightened the grip he had on Harry.

“I know you are, Harry,” Draco said quietly. Harry gave him a heartbreaking smile. Harry had such sad eyes. It pained Draco to see them.

Harry looked back over the lake. “You know those nights that you’re waiting for the sun to rise?” A single tear rolled out of Harry’s eye. Draco didn’t let go of his shoulder. “When you’re just waiting to see that small glimmer of light.” Another tear followed the first one. “And when you finally do, you know you’ve made it through another night. And you know you’ve been saved.”

The wind gently danced through the trees and made ripples in water in the lake. Harry closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

“Yes,” Draco said. “I do.”

Harry got up suddenly. “I have to go,” he murmured.

Draco nodded, standing up as well. “Will I see you tomorrow?” Draco asked before he could stop himself.

“I’ll be here,” Harry answered.

                                                      ~~~

Harry arrived first. His eyes scanned the border of the lake. There was no one in sight. He sighed and sank down to the ground. The grass felt soft under him and the light from the perfect full moon lit up the water on the lake. It was really pretty; the light on the water.

The crunch of sticks and leaves behind him announced that Draco had arrived. Harry stood up and turned to face him. Draco’s eyes raked over Harry, taking him in. He finally settled on Harry’s green eyes and smiled.

“You’re the same as always,” Draco said.

Harry frowned. “You expected me to change?” he asked, bewildered.

Draco shook his head. He had to do it now. He would never get another chance. It was now or never. He took Harry’s hands in his. Harry looked down at their clasped hands, then back up at Draco.

“Draco?”

Draco didn’t answer; he was staring at their hands. He lifted Harry’s hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

“I like you,” he said so quietly that Harry almost didn’t hear him.

“What?”

“I…I love you,” Draco amended. He leaned in and gave Harry the smallest of kisses on the mouth. Draco pulled back and looked away from Harry, frowning. “There, I said it. Don’t expect me to say it again.”

Harry put his hand on the side of Draco’s face and turned his head to look at him. He smiled a little.

“Well then, I won’t ask you to,” Harry said.

“Harry,” Draco breathed. He suddenly tugged Harry into him, wrapping his arms around the dark-haired boy.

“Kiss me again, Draco,” Harry said. “I want to make sure this is real.”

Draco did, pushing Harry up against the trunk of the tree. Harry moaned and pulled Draco as close as possible. They sank down to the ground, wrapped in each other’s arms. Harry drew back, panting.

“I love you, too,” he said breathlessly.

Love? Were they serious? Two days ago they couldn’t stand each other and now they were in love? Was that even possible? Then again, there was that saying: the boy you fight is the boy you like. Maybe it was true.

Draco ran his hand up Harry’s thigh and slipped it under his shirt, caressing Harry’s stomach and chest.

“Draco, oh god, Draco,” Harry moaned. He was shaking like mad.

Draco stopped and gave Harry a small kiss on the ear. “Let’s make the night last forever,” Draco whispered. “There are so many ways, let me show you, Harry. I’ll make it all last for a lifetime.”

“I wish it would,” Harry cried. “I want it to last forever. I want to stay with you always.”

Draco cupped the side of Harry’s face. Harry leaned into the touch. “Then we’ll just have to make every moment count.”

“I never thought I believed in love,” Harry said shyly as Draco pulled off Harry’s shirt and then his own. “At least not this kind of love. I thought it was all fairytale stories.”

“Believe it, love, this is real.”

Draco kissed Harry on the forehead, then on his nose, and finally settled on his lips. Harry made a little whimper, which made Draco stop again.

“What do you want, Harry?” Draco asked gently, running his hand up and down the side of Harry’s leg comfortingly. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Tell me what to do to make you happy. Tell me what you want.”

“I want you,” Harry murmured. “Only you.”

Draco kissed him again and began removing the rest of their clothing.

“It’s my first time,” Harry said suddenly. “I still want to…but I thought you should know.”

Draco chuckled a little. He was taking away Golden Boy’s fucking virginity. The old Draco Malfoy would have found that a triumph and an achievement, but now he was only pleased to be Harry’s first. Maybe he could also be the last. Maybe that was too much to wish for. Or maybe he would be the last in a whole other way. They could both not survive the war. Draco shuddered at this thought. That was a tiny bit too morbid, even for him.

Draco smiled at Harry’s worried face. “Don’t fret, I’ll be gentle,” Draco promised. He was capable of handling delicate things with care. Harry seemed to be the most delicate yet. Draco leaned down and kissed Harry on his scar. Harry’s eyes fluttered shut.

“Are you ready?” Draco asked, positioning himself over Harry. Harry nodded, not taking his eyes off of Draco. Harry lifted his hands to hold onto Draco’s back. Draco pushed a little inside. Harry closed his eyes and threw his head back, moaning a little. Taking that as a positive sign, Draco thrust in a bit more, until he was entirely covered. Harry moaned even louder and clapped his hand over his mouth.

Draco smiled at this. “Are you ashamed to be noisy?” he asked. It was like Harry to be embarrassed about such a thing. “It’s alright,” Draco soothed. “Be as loud as you want. Nobody is going to hear us out here.”

Harry took a deep trembling breath and nodded. That was all Draco needed to continue. The night was still and quiet around them. The tree cast a shadow from the light of the moon which wrapped them up like a shroud. And suddenly there was no more war, no more suffering and dying. No morbid future. There was no Potter and Malfoy; it was only Harry and Draco. They were just two boys---young men, who wanted to be in love. It was foolish and fleeting maybe, but they were doing their best to make every last moment together count. Realistically, both Harry and Draco knew that whatever happiness they shared with one another would be short lived, but to them it was worth it. If only for one night. But it couldn’t last. Nothing ever did.

Draco finally collapsed on top of Harry, panting. Harry held Draco close to him as a single tear ran down his face.

“Thank you, Draco,” Harry murmured. “I love you.”

Draco gave Harry a very messy kiss on the corner of his mouth and rolled off of him. Harry was left cold and alone for a moment before Draco pulled him close, wrapping his arms around him and holding him tightly.

“I think you’re beautiful, you know,” Draco told him sleepily. Harry gave him a strange look. “I mean it,” Draco insisted. “You’re beautiful.”

Harry nestled his head against Draco’s chest, listening to Draco’s heart beat. Harry gulped; he tried, but he couldn’t stop himself from giving in to his tears. Draco was stunned by Harry’s sudden display of emotions. He tightened his grip on Harry and rocked him gently back and forth.

“This…this…is…our last…night,” Harry sobbed out. “I…I…leave…tomorrow…”

Draco froze at this. He abruptly had the impulse to cry, too, but held it in.

Harry hiccuped, breathing heavily to calm himself down. “The Order is taking me somewhere far away to train. I don’t think I’ll be back.”

“Yes, you will,” Draco told him firmly. “Because I’ll meet you.”

“Where?” Harry asked, sniffing.

“There,” Draco said, waving his hand down by the bank of the lake. “When everything is all over. So we both have to make it through this.”

Harry nodded into Draco’s chest. Draco pulled his cloak over them as a blanket. Harry was so very tired. He wanted to stay awake. He didn’t want to waste his last time he might ever be with Draco by sleeping through it. Draco rubbed his back comfortingly. Harry felt so safe; complacent, yes, but wanted. That wasn’t something Harry Potter felt very often. Or really, he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt this way. Come to think of it, he probably never had before.

“I wish I didn’t have to go,” Harry muttered. It was becoming very hard to keep his eyes open.

“But you must,” Draco told him. His voice was full of sleep. “If we’re ever going to see the end of this wretched war, you have to go and become strong.”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll go with my father to do whatever he does and help with whatever I can. It’s not much, but it’s the least I can do.”

“Promise me you’ll be safe,” Harry said.

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” Draco told him. “Harry, don’t do anything stupid.” Draco knew telling a Gryffindor not to do anything stupid was like telling Voldemort to stop being such a freak. It just wasn’t going to happen.

“I’ll try,” Harry promised.

Draco nodded, closing his eyes. Harry had his eyes closed too and was clutching Draco as if he was afraid to let go. They were both trying so desperately to stay awake, but their efforts were in vain. Enveloped in each other's embrace they fell asleep.

                                                          ~~~

A Lifetime here with you
That is all I want
A Lifetime here with you
So we never have to Part
…
I wish we never had to Part

                                                           ~~~

Draco woke first the next morning. He took in the sleeping form of Harry lying on top of him, his face buried in the crook of Draco’s neck. Draco ran his hand up and down Harry’s back and held him tightly. He didn’t want Harry to wake up. He didn’t want Harry to leave. He wanted to stay like they were forever. It was selfish, Draco knew. When had Draco Malfoy not been selfish? If he had his way, Draco would take Harry somewhere so far away that no one, not even this pathetic war, could ever find them. To run off, escape, that was Draco’s way of doing things, not Harry’s. Harry was different. Draco knew that Harry could never be happy abandoning everyone like that. Harry was the kind of person who had to see something through to the very end. Even if it cost him his life, Harry would rather die than go back on his word. The only reason for that was he simply had to.

A small part of Draco wished that he was more like Harry Potter. Draco had never been brave or really even that strong. He was clever, though, which made up for it. Draco looked down again at Harry. He was sleeping so peacefully. Harry inspired Draco in more ways than he would ever know. Just watching Harry sleep encouraged Draco to become a little braver and stronger. Draco would go with his father and not hold back. Even if it meant Draco had to sacrifice his own life. It’s what Harry would do.

Draco suddenly felt a little more determined. It wasn’t merely his own life he was concerned about anymore. He had to think of Harry. He had become a little less selfish and it was all because of Harry.

Harry stirred suddenly and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Hey there,” Draco said gently, sweeping the hair out of Harry’s eyes and kissing him on his scar.

“Hey,” Harry said. There was a rather awkward pause. “I should go. They probably wonder where I am.”

Draco knew this and nodded. They slowly began getting dressed, neither of them looking at the other. Harry was the first to finish dressing. He stood up, adjusting his shirt. Draco got up as well. Harry turned to face him.

“I suppose this is goodbye,” Harry said sadly. “I don’t know if we’ll ever meet again.”

“That’s not for us to decide,” Draco replied. “Harry…”

“Please, Draco, don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

“No, of course not,” Draco said quietly. He knew by the look on Harry’s face and the way Harry’s voice was cracking that he was close to tears. Draco wasn’t exactly alright at the moment, either. Though he was doing a better job of concealing it than Harry. They had come to the end and both of them knew it.

Draco pulled Harry into his arms and gave him a long lasting kiss, which didn’t seem to last long enough. “I’ll meet you there,” Draco whispered. “I promise.”

Slowly, Harry drew back. He looked at Draco for a moment, tears in his eyes, before he walked away. Their hands were the last thing to separate. Harry didn’t look back. It was better that way.

Draco didn’t know if he would ever see Harry Potter again. Their time together had been so short, but he also knew those moments would stay with him forever.

“No,” Draco whispered to himself. “I shall never see him again.”

Draco stood there for hours, staring out across the lake as he had seen Harry do so many times before him. When at last the sun had set and the night sprang to life, Draco slowly turned and walked back up to the castle, only once turning back around to rake his eyes up and down the scenery. He would keep his promise to Harry. Even if it killed him.

                                                        ~~~

It had been three long, painfully eventful months since Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy had parted ways. The war was over and Harry had won against Voldemort. Harry had returned to Hogwarts with the rest of his clan to heal and think about starting their new lives. Recovering was a long and tiresome process for many survivors of the war. There had been losses. Faceless masses became faceless graves to Harry.

The one face he longed to see was the face that he had no idea of the whereabouts. No. Harry Potter had not caught one glimpse of Draco Malfoy all during the end of the war. They in fact had not crossed paths since that fateful day they parted ways. Three elongated months had he reflected on the face of his lover. Thinking about Draco fueled his determination to end the war and gave him strength and hope. There had never been a single moment that Draco had not consumed Harry’s mind. Even when he slept, he only dreamed of Draco. Of his hands on Harry’s hands. Of his mouth pressed against Harry’s.  Of his eyes watching his every move.

Harry was haunted. It was getting so bad that everywhere Harry looked, he saw Draco’s face. And every sound he heard was the sound of Draco’s voice. He would look in the mirror and see Draco’s eyes staring back at him. It was driving him to the brink of madness. Harry was trapped somewhere between hell and insanity. This would certainly be the end of him. He wouldn’t be able to drive off the psychosis forever. In the end it would win. It was ironic really, that Voldemort couldn’t kill him, but Harry could destroy himself so easily.

Harry knew in his heart that Draco was still alive, though no reports could confirm or deny his feelings. Every day Harry went to stand by the bank of the lake and every day no one came. That never stopped Harry from standing there for hours at a time, though.

“You’re going to make yourself crazy,” Hermione told him anxiously. “You standing there every single day won’t make Draco come back any faster.”

“He promised to meet me here,” Harry insisted stubbornly.

“We just don’t want to see you lose your mind, mate,” Ron said.

Harry gave them a very forced smile. “It’ll be alright, he’ll be here. He promised.” But even Harry was beginning to doubt. Way in the back of his mind Harry wondered if Draco truly was gone. He hated himself for even thinking it.

Maybe Draco simply didn’t care about Harry anymore. Maybe he was off with someone else. Harry choked on the thought. Though if truth be told, Harry would rather Draco be alive with someone else than dead.

Harry shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of his morose thoughts. It wasn’t easy. It had been three weeks since Harry and the others had returned to Hogwarts. For three weeks Harry had waited every night for Draco to keep his promise and come back to him. And for three weeks Draco had not come.

“Where are you…Draco?” Harry whispered.

It was getting late. The stars were starting to come out and the wind rustled the leaves of the tree. Harry looked up at the waning moon; it looked like a grin in the sky. Harry sat down on the bank and pulled his knees into his chest. It wasn’t fair. Draco ought to be here with him. How could he just leave him alone?

Draco’s absence had put Harry in a lot of physical strain. He had lost ten pounds in the time he had been back and there had never been that much for him to lose in the first place. Harry barely slept at all. He couldn’t stand Draco being only in his dreams. The result from his lack of rest showed in the dark circles under Harry’s eyes. His clothes were always crumpled and his hair was in a state of disarray more than ever before.

Harry lifted his head to look up at the sky again. Sighing, Harry stood up and clasped his hands behind his back, looking out over the lake. No, not at the lake, he was looking at a point just beyond it. Waiting…waiting.

And then, he saw it. He saw what he had been waiting for all that time before and now. Across the lake, on the opposite shore, was Draco. Harry blinked and squinted at the figure. It was definitely him. Draco saw Harry and suddenly he was right beside him. Harry was startled and took a step back.

Draco had changed in appearance. His skin was paler than Harry remembered it being. His hair was longer than it had been and was dull and limp. He had also lost weight and, like Harry, seemed to be exhausted. Harry took another step back. This was what he had wanted, right? This moment was what made him win the war. This was the person he wanted more than anything, right? So why was he suddenly afraid?

Draco took a step closer. Harry didn’t move away. “Harry,” Draco breathed.

“Is it really you?” Harry asked. He could scarcely believe it himself.

Draco chuckled, looking a little bit more like the Draco Harry knew. “Of course.”

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Harry told him, moving a little closer. His heart was pounding in his chest. Why was he so nervous?

Draco took Harry’s hands in his. “I know you have. I’m late. Forgive me?” Draco smirked at Harry and Harry found himself grinning back.

“You never specified a time,” Harry choked. He was trying his best not to cry. “So really there’s nothing to forgive.”

Draco cupped the side of Harry’s face. Harry found himself leaning into the touch as he had done all that time before. A tear ran out of Harry’s eye. Draco wiped it away with his thumb.

“I will never make you wait again,” Draco promised. With that he kissed Harry firmly on the mouth. Harry’s eyes fluttered shut and he found himself melting into the kiss. Trembling, Harry wrapped his arms around Draco.

Draco ended the kiss and tilted Harry’s head up by his chin to look him over. Harry saw that Draco was now crying, too.

“I love you, you know,” Draco told him.

Harry smiled. Draco had told him never to ask him to say that again. And here Draco was telling Harry again, all on his own. “I know,” Harry said quietly, “because I’m certain I’m in love with you.” Draco’s heart lifted at this and he pulled Harry tighter against him.

They stayed like that for what seemed like hours. They were together now. Every day after this would be for the two of them to enjoy together. Finally, Harry drew back, smiling. He took Draco by the hand, leading him back up to the castle.

Everything was going to be alright. It might not all be perfect that day or the next, but eventually, it would be. Somehow in the darkness a light had been able to show through, leading them to one another. How they really had found each other wasn’t certain. But now that they had, neither of them would be letting go of the other anytime soon. And maybe someday they would find a reason to continue. Or maybe that reason wasn’t even important. Since now, finally, the future belonged to them, as just Harry and Draco. Two boys, who had simply met each other, for the first time, there.

~The End~

Description
Title: I'll Meet You There
Author: Ruby13b
Summary: Draco has been watching Harry waiting down by the lake for some time now. What is he waiting for? What will Draco do about it? And can a simple promise be enough for these two boys to survive the war?
Genres: Drama, Romance,
Rating: R
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content
Status: Complete
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.

***This is a Harry/Draco fanfiction, meaning boy/boy. If you don't like, don't read.

It was the third night in a row that Draco Malfoy had watched Harry Potter go down to the lake. Harry Potter, the golden boy, never even did much. He would simply clasp his hands behind his back and stare out across the water, almost as if he were waiting for something. Draco couldn’t help but find this behavior intriguing. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was becoming captivated by the other boy. The way Harry would rake his hands through his hair and then slump to the ground, as if he was defeated. Harry would sit with his legs drawn close to his chest and his forehead resting against his knees. He would stay like that for a time and then, as suddenly as he came he went again. He would get up, brush the dirt off of his clothes and return to the castle. Draco would then move to stand where Harry had just been. He didn’t know why.

The only thing Draco did know was that he had to do something about it. Though he didn’t know what he ought to do. He wanted to talk to the Gryffindor boy. But what could he say? Why would Potter even want to listen to him? Then again, had he gone mental? He really wanted to talk to Potter?

Draco shook himself out of his head to stare at Harry. Like always, he had his hands behind his back and was gazing blankly at the water. Harry heaved a huge sigh but did nothing more. It was now or never for Draco. Treading lightly, Draco made his way over to Harry. He figured the direct approach was the best one in dealing with the boy who lived.

Harry stiffened at the rustle of movement behind him. He turned, noticing Draco. Harry didn’t seem to be overly surprised to see him there. He sighed again and turned back around. He said nothing for several moments. Draco didn’t say anything either.

“If you want to torment me, can’t you wait for the daylight hours?” Harry finally said.

Draco was shocked by his words. He moved to stand closer to Harry, though he wasn’t within touching distance. It was best to keep at least a little air between them.

“I’m not here to torment you,” Draco said quietly. Harry looked at him, disbelief lacing his eyes. Draco chuckled a little at this. He could hardly believe it himself. “Well, I’m not.”

Harry shrugged noncommittally and turned back to the water. Draco eyed Harry suspiciously. This behavior was almost more than he could handle.

“If you’re not here to prolong my suffering, then why are you here?” Harry asked.

“What are you doing out here?” Draco asked, switching the subject.

Harry didn’t answer right away. He seemed to now be looking at something just beyond the water. No, not at something, for something. It was like he was waiting.

“I like it out here,” Harry answered vaguely. Draco made a noise in his throat, implying that he wasn’t taking Harry’s word for it. Harry turned and looked Draco straight in the eye. “There’s no deep or profound reason. I just like it, that’s all.”

Draco waved his hand a little saying, “Fine then, keep your secrets. I don’t particularly care why you’re out here.” Draco had had enough of this charade. Honestly, trying to get information out of Harry Potter was like pulling teeth. He turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Harry asked.

Draco stopped. “Do you honestly care, Potter?”

Harry turned his eyes away from Draco and muttered, “It was just nice not to be alone for once.”

Draco could have told him that he hadn’t been alone for the past three days, but that would be admitting to having watched Harry for that long. That wasn’t something Draco was going to do.

“You think I make good company?” Draco asked, bewildered. “Sweet Merlin, Potter, you must be desperate.”

Harry’s green eyes flashed in anger. “Go away, Malfoy!” he yelled. “I can’t stand to look at you any more!”

Taken aback by Harry’s sudden outburst, Draco sneered, “Fine! I hope you have a good time out here alone!” With nothing more Draco stormed away. Little did he know that Harry’s eyes were watching him leave sadly.

                                                      ~~~

Draco didn’t return for another two nights. The next time he did come down to the lake he found Harry sitting under the tree that was close to the lake. Harry didn’t even turn around as Draco approached.

“’Lo, Malfoy,” Harry said dully. His voice sounded hoarse and cracked. Draco said nothing in response. He merely sat down. They were closer together than they had been on the first night.

“I know why you do it,” Draco told him abruptly.

“Do what?” Harry asked reproachfully.

“This.” Draco made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “I know why you seek solitude.”

“Congratulations,” Harry said dully. He didn’t see why he needed to say anything else.

“You shouldn’t do this to yourself. You’ll make yourself go mad,” Draco pointed out.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m only going to die anyway,” Harry said.

“Ah, so that’s what this is about,” Draco said.

“What?” Harry exclaimed indignantly. “You said you knew!”

“Well, I didn’t really,” Draco said simply. “I knew that if I said I did, you’d end up saying what it was.”

Harry was at a loss for words. He gaped at Draco with his mouth open soundlessly. Draco smirked at him. “Slytherin!” Draco offered as an explanation.

“No joking,” Harry said, shaking his head. “I walked right into that one.”

They both fell silent again. Draco peered at Harry.

“You’re scared,” Draco said.

“Of course I am. I’d be a fool if I wasn’t,” Harry told him, repeating the words that Lupin had said to him all that time ago.

Draco considered teasing Harry about losing his Gryffindor courage, but even he knew that was in bad taste, so he said nothing. Draco stood up and walked over to the edge of the lake. He picked up a stone from the bank and began tossing it in the air and catching it.

“I suppose it can’t be helped,” Draco said; he tossed the stone into the water. It skipped twice and then vanished. Draco watched Harry follow the stone with his eyes.

Harry then sighed, glancing over at Draco. There was something behind his eyes that Harry couldn’t figure out. “Alright, Malfoy,” Harry said. “What are you playing at?”

“Haven’t a clue what you mean,” Draco said, scratching his chin leisurely.

“Why are you being so…” Harry stopped, searching for the word, “so…nice!”

Draco stared at Harry. He didn’t think that he was being nice. In fact he had thought it was quite the opposite.

“I thought you hated me,” Harry continued.

“I do,” Draco assured him. He wasn’t about to deny that simple fact, though he wasn’t about to admit that there was more to it than untouched hatred. Yes, that was one of the things he felt towards Harry. But there was something else there, something that lay deep, deep inside of him. Though he wasn’t about to let it out.

“Then, why?” Harry shouted. His voice echoed across the lake.

Draco didn’t respond. He stretched out on the grass with his hands behind his head. Harry watched him reproachfully. Draco smirked at him. Harry looked away, his cheeks red.

“Maybe it’s because we’re not so different,” Draco finally said.

Harry sighed, defeated. “Don’t you have friends you’re supposed to be with right now?” he asked.

“Not really,” Draco admitted. “They probably don’t even know I’m not there.”

“That’s depressing,” Harry muttered.

“Not really,” Draco repeated. “I’d rather spend the night with you.”

Harry looked at him, shocked. Draco was a little surprised by his own audacity as well, though he wasn’t about to let it show.

Harry exhaled slowly. “You confuse me. You know that?” Draco didn’t respond. “And I swear if this is some sort of mean joke, I’ll make you regret it.”

“Fair enough,” Draco agreed. “But this isn’t a joke.”

“I’m really not much company,” Harry told him. “Nothing good will come of you wasting your time here.”

“It’s what I said before,” Draco explained. “We’re not so different, you and me.”

“And how do you figure that?”

“Well, we are on the same side…” Draco began. His parents had decided to defect earlier in the year. This came as no huge surprise to Draco. The Malfoys had always been family oriented. Voldemort was jeopardizing the safety of the family, so they went where they would be out of harm's way.  To the ‘good’ side, Harry Potter’s side. Not that the ‘good’ side was completely hazard-free. But it was certainly better.

“I know that,” Harry said stiffly.

“And our whole lives, we’ve both been living it for someone else. We’ve always belonged to someone else. Always being the person everyone wanted us to be.”

Harry didn’t say anything to this. Draco was about to continue when Harry spoke up.

“I’ve always been the hero, and you’ve always been the bad boy.”

Draco nodded. “Don’t you see how skewed it was?”

“You mean how skewed it still is,” Harry cut in dully.

“That’s right. We are only what they want us to be. That’s why you like being out here alone. You don’t have to pretend.”

“But I’m not alone,” Harry said, glancing somewhat shyly at Draco.

Draco chuckled. “No, I suppose you’re not, even if I am your enemy.”

“You’re not my enemy,” Harry answered vaguely. “School rival, maybe, but not enemy.”

Draco had no more words to say, so he didn’t say anything. That’s how he was. If there was nothing more to say, nothing should be said. Draco hated when people filled up stillness with unnecessary chatter only because they couldn’t bear to live in silence for a few moments. Harry obviously felt the same way, for he said nothing as well.

Draco let his eyes wander over Harry, taking in his whole appearance. His baggy clothes, horrid glasses and messy hair. Draco couldn’t help but be strangely fond of it all. Harry turned his head, looking at Draco. They shared a small smile. This could really be the start of something, Draco thought to himself. Just maybe.

                                                       ~~~

The next night started out somewhat differently. Draco was the first to appear at the lake. He went right down to the water, dipping his hand right in. It was cold, but not unbearably so. He swished his hand back and forth in the water, reveling in the wetness.

“I thought big boys didn’t play in the water,” said a voice behind him. Draco could hear the smile in the voice. Draco smirked and turned around only to be met with an equally amused grin on the face of one Harry Potter.

“Who ever said I was a ‘big’ boy,” Draco replied impishly. Harry laughed at this and joined him by the edge of the lake. He crouched next to it and stuck his hand in as Draco had just done. He pulled his hand out, grinning.

“Feels great!” Harry said. “Care for a swim?”

Draco looked at Harry, then down at the water, and then back at Harry. “You must be joking, right?” he said indignantly.

“I assure you I’m not,” Harry told him. “I take swimming very seriously.” He smirked. “What’s the matter? Scared, Malfoy?”

“You wish!” Draco answered automatically. Harry grinned even more at this and began pulling off his shirt. “Hang on!” Draco exclaimed. “You said nothing about going starkers!”

Harry paused for a moment before replying, “Relax, Malfoy. I’m not taking it all off. Just my shirt and shoes.” Harry stopped again, one shoe in his hand. “Go on,” he urged. “You, too.”

It appeared to Draco that he had no say in the matter and, grumbling, he started removing his shirt, shoes and socks. Unlike Harry, Draco neatly folded up his shirt and placed his socks in his shoes, putting his shirt on top of his shoes. Harry rolled his eyes at Draco, to which Draco answered, “I like to take care of my possessions, Potter.” He glanced at Harry’s shirt, which was in a crumpled heap next to Harry’s shoes and socks, which were nowhere near each other. “Maybe if you did the same,” Draco continued, “you wouldn’t look like such a street urchin half of the time.”

Harry shrugged at this. “You have me there, I suppose,” he admitted.  He stood up, stretching his arms up in the air. Draco couldn’t stop his eyes from wandering over Harry’s bare chest. Harry was oblivious to this. Draco had to acknowledge that he liked what he saw. While Harry had always been rather scrawny for his age, he now, as a direct result of his training, had acquired a nicely toned torso and arms. Harry cleared his throat and Draco blushed, knowing he had been caught staring.

“Well then,” Harry said. “Who’s going to be the brave one and jump in first?”

Draco glanced at the water and then back at Harry, smirking. “I thought bravery was for Gryffindors,” he said innocently.

“A myth, I can assure you,” Harry returned. “We’re actually nothing more than a bunch of cowards.”

“I knew this, of course,” Draco said. Harry walked up to stand next to him, laying a cool hand on his shoulder. Draco started a little at the unexpected contact.

“Yes, I know you did,” Harry said. And with that he gave Draco a big shove, pushing him into the water.

Draco resurfaced coughing and sputtering. Harry laughed.

“And that, my dear Malfoy, was an example of a whole other kind of bravery!” Harry exclaimed wickedly.

“Potter!” Draco growled.

“For it’s easy to talk of putting your life on the line,” Harry continued without missing a beat. He took a few steps back and forth. Draco eyed him like a cat watching a mouse. “But quite another one to actually do it, I’m afraid.”

“Your life really is going to be on the line once I catch you, Potter,” Draco promised.

“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” Harry told him sincerely. “But the ‘catching’ part may prove to be rather difficult, don’t you agree?”

That was all it took for Draco to lunge out, seizing Harry by the wrist. Harry shrieked and struggled, but Draco could tell that he was enjoying every moment of it.

“You make yourself ridiculous,” Draco commented, pulling Harry into the water. Harry squeaked as the cold water hit his bare chest. Draco laughed and splashed Harry in the face. Harry retaliated by splashing Draco back.  They splashed the water back and forth for awhile before Draco decided to go all out and tackle Harry.

Draco enveloped Harry in his arms, letting them both sink beneath the surface. They were only under for a couple of seconds.  Still holding Harry in his arms, Draco sent them back up to the surface, where they remained in their tight embrace. Draco expected Harry to draw away from him immediately and was surprised when Harry instead rested his head on Draco’s shoulder. Draco was suddenly in a panic of what to do. He was holding another boy. He had never even held a girl like this before, and now he was hugging Harry-bloody-Potter like it was the most natural thing to do.

Harry drew back, a blush now on his cheeks. Draco’s eyes drifted to Harry’s lips. They looked so red and soft. Harry nibbled on his bottom lip self-consciously. Oh, how Draco longed to press his own mouth against those lips. It wasn’t something he had ever mindfully thought of doing before this moment, but it seemed like a good idea now. Draco inched closer to Harry. Harry raised his emerald eyes to meet Draco’s. Draco could now feel Harry’s breath on his face. What was he waiting for? Now was his chance. Harry’s breath hitched a little. Draco hesitantly put his hand on the side of Harry’s face. Harry closed his eyes, tilting his head back a little. Draco smirked at this. Draco was taller then Harry. Always had been and most likely always would be.

Draco leaned in with every intention of giving the boy-who-lived a kiss that he would never forget. But all of a sudden something told him to stop. Draco cleared his throat and let his hand fall away from Harry’s face. Draco took a few steps back. Harry gave him a confused look but then shrugged and ambled back up to the bank and sat down next to his clothes. After a fleeting moment in which Draco considered running away, he joined him, sitting a little further away than he would have normally.

Harry glanced at Draco and then down at his own hands folded in his lap. “Draco?” Harry asked suddenly. Draco was startled by Harry using his given name, and looked over at him inquisitively. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yes,” Draco answered.

Harry took a deep breath and seemed to be considering what words to use. “What do you think will happen after the war?”

Draco thought for a moment before answering. “I think…” he said slowly, “that eventually, people will start really living lives again. It won’t be right away. But…eventually.” Draco hadn’t really thought about life after the war. He always assumed that he wouldn’t live through it so he needn’t bother with a future.

As if reading his thoughts Harry asked, “What do you think will happen to you?”

“I’m not sure,” Draco answered. He didn’t want to let Harry in on his morbid thoughts. He knew it would only upset the smaller boy.

“I don’t know what will become of me,” Harry admitted. “I’d like to think that I’ll be alive…” he stopped. Draco moved a little closer. Close enough that if he reached out his hand he could touch Harry. “…but I’m not hopeful…” They really weren’t as different as other people thought. Draco laid his hand on Harry’s shoulder. Harry turned to look Draco in the eyes. “I’m lonely, Draco,” he whispered. Draco tightened the grip he had on Harry.

“I know you are, Harry,” Draco said quietly. Harry gave him a heartbreaking smile. Harry had such sad eyes. It pained Draco to see them.

Harry looked back over the lake. “You know those nights that you’re waiting for the sun to rise?” A single tear rolled out of Harry’s eye. Draco didn’t let go of his shoulder. “When you’re just waiting to see that small glimmer of light.” Another tear followed the first one. “And when you finally do, you know you’ve made it through another night. And you know you’ve been saved.”

The wind gently danced through the trees and made ripples in water in the lake. Harry closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

“Yes,” Draco said. “I do.”

Harry got up suddenly. “I have to go,” he murmured.

Draco nodded, standing up as well. “Will I see you tomorrow?” Draco asked before he could stop himself.

“I’ll be here,” Harry answered.

                                                      ~~~

Harry arrived first. His eyes scanned the border of the lake. There was no one in sight. He sighed and sank down to the ground. The grass felt soft under him and the light from the perfect full moon lit up the water on the lake. It was really pretty; the light on the water.

The crunch of sticks and leaves behind him announced that Draco had arrived. Harry stood up and turned to face him. Draco’s eyes raked over Harry, taking him in. He finally settled on Harry’s green eyes and smiled.

“You’re the same as always,” Draco said.

Harry frowned. “You expected me to change?” he asked, bewildered.

Draco shook his head. He had to do it now. He would never get another chance. It was now or never. He took Harry’s hands in his. Harry looked down at their clasped hands, then back up at Draco.

“Draco?”

Draco didn’t answer; he was staring at their hands. He lifted Harry’s hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

“I like you,” he said so quietly that Harry almost didn’t hear him.

“What?”

“I…I love you,” Draco amended. He leaned in and gave Harry the smallest of kisses on the mouth. Draco pulled back and looked away from Harry, frowning. “There, I said it. Don’t expect me to say it again.”

Harry put his hand on the side of Draco’s face and turned his head to look at him. He smiled a little.

“Well then, I won’t ask you to,” Harry said.

“Harry,” Draco breathed. He suddenly tugged Harry into him, wrapping his arms around the dark-haired boy.

“Kiss me again, Draco,” Harry said. “I want to make sure this is real.”

Draco did, pushing Harry up against the trunk of the tree. Harry moaned and pulled Draco as close as possible. They sank down to the ground, wrapped in each other’s arms. Harry drew back, panting.

“I love you, too,” he said breathlessly.

Love? Were they serious? Two days ago they couldn’t stand each other and now they were in love? Was that even possible? Then again, there was that saying: the boy you fight is the boy you like. Maybe it was true.

Draco ran his hand up Harry’s thigh and slipped it under his shirt, caressing Harry’s stomach and chest.

“Draco, oh god, Draco,” Harry moaned. He was shaking like mad.

Draco stopped and gave Harry a small kiss on the ear. “Let’s make the night last forever,” Draco whispered. “There are so many ways, let me show you, Harry. I’ll make it all last for a lifetime.”

“I wish it would,” Harry cried. “I want it to last forever. I want to stay with you always.”

Draco cupped the side of Harry’s face. Harry leaned into the touch. “Then we’ll just have to make every moment count.”

“I never thought I believed in love,” Harry said shyly as Draco pulled off Harry’s shirt and then his own. “At least not this kind of love. I thought it was all fairytale stories.”

“Believe it, love, this is real.”

Draco kissed Harry on the forehead, then on his nose, and finally settled on his lips. Harry made a little whimper, which made Draco stop again.

“What do you want, Harry?” Draco asked gently, running his hand up and down the side of Harry’s leg comfortingly. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Tell me what to do to make you happy. Tell me what you want.”

“I want you,” Harry murmured. “Only you.”

Draco kissed him again and began removing the rest of their clothing.

“It’s my first time,” Harry said suddenly. “I still want to…but I thought you should know.”

Draco chuckled a little. He was taking away Golden Boy’s fucking virginity. The old Draco Malfoy would have found that a triumph and an achievement, but now he was only pleased to be Harry’s first. Maybe he could also be the last. Maybe that was too much to wish for. Or maybe he would be the last in a whole other way. They could both not survive the war. Draco shuddered at this thought. That was a tiny bit too morbid, even for him.

Draco smiled at Harry’s worried face. “Don’t fret, I’ll be gentle,” Draco promised. He was capable of handling delicate things with care. Harry seemed to be the most delicate yet. Draco leaned down and kissed Harry on his scar. Harry’s eyes fluttered shut.

“Are you ready?” Draco asked, positioning himself over Harry. Harry nodded, not taking his eyes off of Draco. Harry lifted his hands to hold onto Draco’s back. Draco pushed a little inside. Harry closed his eyes and threw his head back, moaning a little. Taking that as a positive sign, Draco thrust in a bit more, until he was entirely covered. Harry moaned even louder and clapped his hand over his mouth.

Draco smiled at this. “Are you ashamed to be noisy?” he asked. It was like Harry to be embarrassed about such a thing. “It’s alright,” Draco soothed. “Be as loud as you want. Nobody is going to hear us out here.”

Harry took a deep trembling breath and nodded. That was all Draco needed to continue. The night was still and quiet around them. The tree cast a shadow from the light of the moon which wrapped them up like a shroud. And suddenly there was no more war, no more suffering and dying. No morbid future. There was no Potter and Malfoy; it was only Harry and Draco. They were just two boys---young men, who wanted to be in love. It was foolish and fleeting maybe, but they were doing their best to make every last moment together count. Realistically, both Harry and Draco knew that whatever happiness they shared with one another would be short lived, but to them it was worth it. If only for one night. But it couldn’t last. Nothing ever did.

Draco finally collapsed on top of Harry, panting. Harry held Draco close to him as a single tear ran down his face.

“Thank you, Draco,” Harry murmured. “I love you.”

Draco gave Harry a very messy kiss on the corner of his mouth and rolled off of him. Harry was left cold and alone for a moment before Draco pulled him close, wrapping his arms around him and holding him tightly.

“I think you’re beautiful, you know,” Draco told him sleepily. Harry gave him a strange look. “I mean it,” Draco insisted. “You’re beautiful.”

Harry nestled his head against Draco’s chest, listening to Draco’s heart beat. Harry gulped; he tried, but he couldn’t stop himself from giving in to his tears. Draco was stunned by Harry’s sudden display of emotions. He tightened his grip on Harry and rocked him gently back and forth.

“This…this…is…our last…night,” Harry sobbed out. “I…I…leave…tomorrow…”

Draco froze at this. He abruptly had the impulse to cry, too, but held it in.

Harry hiccuped, breathing heavily to calm himself down. “The Order is taking me somewhere far away to train. I don’t think I’ll be back.”

“Yes, you will,” Draco told him firmly. “Because I’ll meet you.”

“Where?” Harry asked, sniffing.

“There,” Draco said, waving his hand down by the bank of the lake. “When everything is all over. So we both have to make it through this.”

Harry nodded into Draco’s chest. Draco pulled his cloak over them as a blanket. Harry was so very tired. He wanted to stay awake. He didn’t want to waste his last time he might ever be with Draco by sleeping through it. Draco rubbed his back comfortingly. Harry felt so safe; complacent, yes, but wanted. That wasn’t something Harry Potter felt very often. Or really, he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt this way. Come to think of it, he probably never had before.

“I wish I didn’t have to go,” Harry muttered. It was becoming very hard to keep his eyes open.

“But you must,” Draco told him. His voice was full of sleep. “If we’re ever going to see the end of this wretched war, you have to go and become strong.”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll go with my father to do whatever he does and help with whatever I can. It’s not much, but it’s the least I can do.”

“Promise me you’ll be safe,” Harry said.

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” Draco told him. “Harry, don’t do anything stupid.” Draco knew telling a Gryffindor not to do anything stupid was like telling Voldemort to stop being such a freak. It just wasn’t going to happen.

“I’ll try,” Harry promised.

Draco nodded, closing his eyes. Harry had his eyes closed too and was clutching Draco as if he was afraid to let go. They were both trying so desperately to stay awake, but their efforts were in vain. Enveloped in each other's embrace they fell asleep.

                                                          ~~~

A Lifetime here with you
That is all I want
A Lifetime here with you
So we never have to Part
…
I wish we never had to Part

                                                           ~~~

Draco woke first the next morning. He took in the sleeping form of Harry lying on top of him, his face buried in the crook of Draco’s neck. Draco ran his hand up and down Harry’s back and held him tightly. He didn’t want Harry to wake up. He didn’t want Harry to leave. He wanted to stay like they were forever. It was selfish, Draco knew. When had Draco Malfoy not been selfish? If he had his way, Draco would take Harry somewhere so far away that no one, not even this pathetic war, could ever find them. To run off, escape, that was Draco’s way of doing things, not Harry’s. Harry was different. Draco knew that Harry could never be happy abandoning everyone like that. Harry was the kind of person who had to see something through to the very end. Even if it cost him his life, Harry would rather die than go back on his word. The only reason for that was he simply had to.

A small part of Draco wished that he was more like Harry Potter. Draco had never been brave or really even that strong. He was clever, though, which made up for it. Draco looked down again at Harry. He was sleeping so peacefully. Harry inspired Draco in more ways than he would ever know. Just watching Harry sleep encouraged Draco to become a little braver and stronger. Draco would go with his father and not hold back. Even if it meant Draco had to sacrifice his own life. It’s what Harry would do.

Draco suddenly felt a little more determined. It wasn’t merely his own life he was concerned about anymore. He had to think of Harry. He had become a little less selfish and it was all because of Harry.

Harry stirred suddenly and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Hey there,” Draco said gently, sweeping the hair out of Harry’s eyes and kissing him on his scar.

“Hey,” Harry said. There was a rather awkward pause. “I should go. They probably wonder where I am.”

Draco knew this and nodded. They slowly began getting dressed, neither of them looking at the other. Harry was the first to finish dressing. He stood up, adjusting his shirt. Draco got up as well. Harry turned to face him.

“I suppose this is goodbye,” Harry said sadly. “I don’t know if we’ll ever meet again.”

“That’s not for us to decide,” Draco replied. “Harry…”

“Please, Draco, don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

“No, of course not,” Draco said quietly. He knew by the look on Harry’s face and the way Harry’s voice was cracking that he was close to tears. Draco wasn’t exactly alright at the moment, either. Though he was doing a better job of concealing it than Harry. They had come to the end and both of them knew it.

Draco pulled Harry into his arms and gave him a long lasting kiss, which didn’t seem to last long enough. “I’ll meet you there,” Draco whispered. “I promise.”

Slowly, Harry drew back. He looked at Draco for a moment, tears in his eyes, before he walked away. Their hands were the last thing to separate. Harry didn’t look back. It was better that way.

Draco didn’t know if he would ever see Harry Potter again. Their time together had been so short, but he also knew those moments would stay with him forever.

“No,” Draco whispered to himself. “I shall never see him again.”

Draco stood there for hours, staring out across the lake as he had seen Harry do so many times before him. When at last the sun had set and the night sprang to life, Draco slowly turned and walked back up to the castle, only once turning back around to rake his eyes up and down the scenery. He would keep his promise to Harry. Even if it killed him.

                                                        ~~~

It had been three long, painfully eventful months since Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy had parted ways. The war was over and Harry had won against Voldemort. Harry had returned to Hogwarts with the rest of his clan to heal and think about starting their new lives. Recovering was a long and tiresome process for many survivors of the war. There had been losses. Faceless masses became faceless graves to Harry.

The one face he longed to see was the face that he had no idea of the whereabouts. No. Harry Potter had not caught one glimpse of Draco Malfoy all during the end of the war. They in fact had not crossed paths since that fateful day they parted ways. Three elongated months had he reflected on the face of his lover. Thinking about Draco fueled his determination to end the war and gave him strength and hope. There had never been a single moment that Draco had not consumed Harry’s mind. Even when he slept, he only dreamed of Draco. Of his hands on Harry’s hands. Of his mouth pressed against Harry’s.  Of his eyes watching his every move.

Harry was haunted. It was getting so bad that everywhere Harry looked, he saw Draco’s face. And every sound he heard was the sound of Draco’s voice. He would look in the mirror and see Draco’s eyes staring back at him. It was driving him to the brink of madness. Harry was trapped somewhere between hell and insanity. This would certainly be the end of him. He wouldn’t be able to drive off the psychosis forever. In the end it would win. It was ironic really, that Voldemort couldn’t kill him, but Harry could destroy himself so easily.

Harry knew in his heart that Draco was still alive, though no reports could confirm or deny his feelings. Every day Harry went to stand by the bank of the lake and every day no one came. That never stopped Harry from standing there for hours at a time, though.

“You’re going to make yourself crazy,” Hermione told him anxiously. “You standing there every single day won’t make Draco come back any faster.”

“He promised to meet me here,” Harry insisted stubbornly.

“We just don’t want to see you lose your mind, mate,” Ron said.

Harry gave them a very forced smile. “It’ll be alright, he’ll be here. He promised.” But even Harry was beginning to doubt. Way in the back of his mind Harry wondered if Draco truly was gone. He hated himself for even thinking it.

Maybe Draco simply didn’t care about Harry anymore. Maybe he was off with someone else. Harry choked on the thought. Though if truth be told, Harry would rather Draco be alive with someone else than dead.

Harry shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of his morose thoughts. It wasn’t easy. It had been three weeks since Harry and the others had returned to Hogwarts. For three weeks Harry had waited every night for Draco to keep his promise and come back to him. And for three weeks Draco had not come.

“Where are you…Draco?” Harry whispered.

It was getting late. The stars were starting to come out and the wind rustled the leaves of the tree. Harry looked up at the waning moon; it looked like a grin in the sky. Harry sat down on the bank and pulled his knees into his chest. It wasn’t fair. Draco ought to be here with him. How could he just leave him alone?

Draco’s absence had put Harry in a lot of physical strain. He had lost ten pounds in the time he had been back and there had never been that much for him to lose in the first place. Harry barely slept at all. He couldn’t stand Draco being only in his dreams. The result from his lack of rest showed in the dark circles under Harry’s eyes. His clothes were always crumpled and his hair was in a state of disarray more than ever before.

Harry lifted his head to look up at the sky again. Sighing, Harry stood up and clasped his hands behind his back, looking out over the lake. No, not at the lake, he was looking at a point just beyond it. Waiting…waiting.

And then, he saw it. He saw what he had been waiting for all that time before and now. Across the lake, on the opposite shore, was Draco. Harry blinked and squinted at the figure. It was definitely him. Draco saw Harry and suddenly he was right beside him. Harry was startled and took a step back.

Draco had changed in appearance. His skin was paler than Harry remembered it being. His hair was longer than it had been and was dull and limp. He had also lost weight and, like Harry, seemed to be exhausted. Harry took another step back. This was what he had wanted, right? This moment was what made him win the war. This was the person he wanted more than anything, right? So why was he suddenly afraid?

Draco took a step closer. Harry didn’t move away. “Harry,” Draco breathed.

“Is it really you?” Harry asked. He could scarcely believe it himself.

Draco chuckled, looking a little bit more like the Draco Harry knew. “Of course.”

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Harry told him, moving a little closer. His heart was pounding in his chest. Why was he so nervous?

Draco took Harry’s hands in his. “I know you have. I’m late. Forgive me?” Draco smirked at Harry and Harry found himself grinning back.

“You never specified a time,” Harry choked. He was trying his best not to cry. “So really there’s nothing to forgive.”

Draco cupped the side of Harry’s face. Harry found himself leaning into the touch as he had done all that time before. A tear ran out of Harry’s eye. Draco wiped it away with his thumb.

“I will never make you wait again,” Draco promised. With that he kissed Harry firmly on the mouth. Harry’s eyes fluttered shut and he found himself melting into the kiss. Trembling, Harry wrapped his arms around Draco.

Draco ended the kiss and tilted Harry’s head up by his chin to look him over. Harry saw that Draco was now crying, too.

“I love you, you know,” Draco told him.

Harry smiled. Draco had told him never to ask him to say that again. And here Draco was telling Harry again, all on his own. “I know,” Harry said quietly, “because I’m certain I’m in love with you.” Draco’s heart lifted at this and he pulled Harry tighter against him.

They stayed like that for what seemed like hours. They were together now. Every day after this would be for the two of them to enjoy together. Finally, Harry drew back, smiling. He took Draco by the hand, leading him back up to the castle.

Everything was going to be alright. It might not all be perfect that day or the next, but eventually, it would be. Somehow in the darkness a light had been able to show through, leading them to one another. How they really had found each other wasn’t certain. But now that they had, neither of them would be letting go of the other anytime soon. And maybe someday they would find a reason to continue. Or maybe that reason wasn’t even important. Since now, finally, the future belonged to them, as just Harry and Draco. Two boys, who had simply met each other, for the first time, there.

~The End~