FEST FIC: Eislean cuir stad air (Part 3) - Harry/Draco (NC-17)

[bottom_draco_comm]

Part 2


June 1997

Draco threw himself onto his bed, not caring that he was fully clothed, or that he'd knocked over the bags of clothes that Hermione had fetched for him. Any other time he would pick through the items and complain about most of them, but this time he was far too exhausted to care.

“M'tired,” he mumbled into the pillow. Harry chuckled, and Draco felt the bed dip under his weight as he settled beside Draco.

“Me too,” Harry replied, pressing into Draco's side.

“That man can certainly talk, can't he?” Draco said, turning on his side to face Harry. Harry grinned up at Draco from the pillow.

“He certainly can. He'd likely still be going if Remus hadn't made him stop.” Harry mirrored Draco's position, so they were both propped on their sides. Draco couldn't stop himself from staring at Harry's red lips, thinking about the kiss that had occurred between them the last time Draco had felt this itchy tension settle around them. He wasn't sure just what it meant, but he knew that he wasn't ready for it. Not yet

“Draco,” Harry began, but Draco interrupted him.

“It's time for bed, I think,” he said, pushing himself off the bed. He picked up a few bags and began riffling through them for some pyjamas. He pretended to ignore Harry as he also stood up and moved to stand at the door.

“Harry,” Draco said before Harry could leave the room, turning to face him.

“Yeah?” Harry replied, one hand on the doorknob.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Draco asked. “Only, I slept better with you than I have in ages, maybe as long as I can remember. I didn't dream at all, and...” He trailed off, unsure of what to add.

“Yeah,” Harry said, his face softening. “Whatever makes you feel better,” he smiled at Draco, who smiled back brightly.

“Thanks,” he said.

“Great, I'll just...” He gestured out the door. “I'll be back in a few.”

“Alright,” Draco said, clutching at the bag he was holding. Their eyes met and held again, and neither of them moved. That seemed to be happening a lot, Draco thought. He wondered what it meant.

Then Harry coughed and turned away, opening the door and slipping out before closing it quietly behind him. Draco couldn't help but grin at the door. Being around Harry made him feel happy and safe, but also hot and giddy. He wasn't ready for more, even the little that he had a vague knowledge of, but he knew that he wanted it. He turned to the bags once more and began the search for his pyjamas.

*

Harry knew exactly what it meant. He was falling for Draco, and fast. He leaned back against the door, sighing deeply. He wasn't sure what Draco knew or what he thought about kissing, sex or relationships, but Harry was certain that what he was feeling, Draco was feeling too.

He pushed away from the door and slipped across the hall to his room. He was unsurprised to find Ron sitting on his bed, but was quite surprised to see that he was reading. Until he noticed it was a copy of the latest Quidditch Monthly that Hermione had brought back with her.

“Hiya Harry,” Ron said, not looking up from his magazine. His voice was tight, but at least he was making an effort. “All done with your little boy toy, then?”

Harry rolled his eyes. Sometimes Ron could be utterly pigheaded, and in this case Harry had no patience for it.

“You're going to have to get over this Ron, or you may as well just leave,” Harry said firmly, staring directly at his friend. Ron's head shot up in shock.

“Are you choosing him over me, Harry? That little Death Eater in training?” Ron threw aside his magazine in a fury.

“I'm not choosing anyone over anyone else Ron. But Draco is here now and he's on our side. He's on my side, despite what his father has done to us.”

“He killed Ginny!” Ron roared, his voice breaking on his sister's name.

“No, Ron,” Harry stood firm. “Lucius Malfoy may have been indirectly culpable for her death, but if you look at it that way, so was I.”

“Don't be crazy Harry, it wasn't your fault,” Ron said, quieter this time.

“She'd be alive if I'd gotten there sooner, or dealt with the Basilisk sooner,” Harry said sadly. The death of Ginny Weasley still haunted him.

“Harry, you were 12. You did everything you could, we all did...it just wasn't enough.”

“I was 12, that's right,” Harry said, nodding. He sat down on his bed, sighing. “And Draco was only 12 then too, and out of the country besides. Then he came home and was taken prisoner by the same man who killed Ginny. They're both victims Ron, just like my parents, just like Sirius.”

“It's not the same,” Ron insisted, but Harry cut him off.

“It is. Draco had no choice in the matter at all, and he was utterly clueless about his father's actions until today. He's been utterly cut off for five years Ron, and pampered and sheltered his whole life before that,” Harry paused, wanting his words to really sink in to Ron's stubborn mind.

“Ron, Draco is an innocent. He's had nothing to do with any of it. And he was going to be bound to Riddle for the rest of his life, against his will.”

“I can't believe you're on his side,” Ron huffed, pacing across the room to the small window.

“I'm not taking anyone's side. But you're going to have to get past this, Ron. Draco is with me now, and he's not going anywhere. He's mine.”

Ron spun around, shocked. “I knew it! Are you shagging him already, Harry?”

“No Ron, it's not like that.”

“It is too,” Ron insisted. “I've seen the way you look at him, and the way he clings to you. If it's not happened yet, it will,” Ron crossed his arms over his chest, standing firm. “Don't deny it, Harry.”

Harry dropped his head, and he couldn't help but grin when he thought of the way Draco made him feel. “Okay, I won't deny I have feelings for him, and that it's mutual. And yes, I think we will eventually be...more, but for now, it's not about that. It's about keeping Draco safe, and him helping us to research. He knows all kinds of things that we don't, so he'll be useful.”

Harry smiled again, his gaze unfocused as he thought about Draco. “He's really clever. He knows a bunch of things, and he's had experience with some of the darker stuff...”

“Wow,” Ron's exclamation pulled Harry from his trance. “You're actually falling for him, aren't you?”

“Yeah, I am,” Harry admitted, ducking his head sheepishly. “He's not going away, Ron. I need to come to grips with it, this is for real, I know it,” Harry said earnestly.

Ron sighed. “I'll try.”

“Great,” Harry smiled at him.

“Now let's go to bed before Hermione comes to nag us,” Ron said with a grimace.

“You're not going to her room tonight?” Harry asked, as he dug into his drawers for pyjamas.

“Not with Remus in the house,” Ron said. “It's not that we're too young or whatever, but if it gets back to my mother...” he trailed off. It was unnecessary to say any more.

“Yeah, I get it,” Harry said, pulling off his clothes and slipping his pyjamas on. “Well, you're on your own tonight, I'm going to keep Draco company. It's a big shock and a change for him, so I want him to feel safe.”

“You're sleeping with him?” Ron's voice raised again. “I thought you said nothing was happening yet,”

“It's not. We're sleeping in the same bed, not shagging each other,” Harry said defensively.

“Sleeping together can be more intimate than sex,” Ron said, blushing under Harry's baffled gaze. “Hermione's been telling me things,” he added.

“Right,” Harry gave him a suspicious look. “Well, you know where I'll be, if you need me.”

“Okay,” Ron said weakly. Harry stopped when he reached the door, pausing before opening it.

“I really hope you'll be okay with this Ron,” he said, fidgeting with the doorknob.

“Me too,” Ron said. “I'll try.”

“Thanks,” Harry smiled at him then slipped out of the room.

*

Draco fussed around while he waited for Harry to get back. A quick trip to the loo to brush his teeth and freshen up for bed later, and he found that he was quite nervous. He'd never slept with anyone like Harry before; sleeping with his parents didn't count. Harry was so very different, and the way he felt about Harry was different.

He was still coming to grips with it, with wanting Harry to kiss him again. He'd never imagined that two boys could kiss each other, or that they would want to, but it was very real to him now. He wanted Harry to kiss him again. He wanted to kiss Harry back. He wanted to snuggle Harry at night, where he felt safe. Draco sighed. He wanted a lot of things, though he didn't know how to go about getting them. Or if Harry wanted them too, though he seemed to. He had kissed Draco after all, and he did look happy when Draco asked him to stay.

Draco slid under the duvet, trying to be patient while he waited. After what seemed like and eternity, the door opened and Harry came in. The tip of his fringe was wet and when he slid under the covers beside him, Draco got a whiff of mint. He breathed deeply, loving the way Harry smelled.

“Thanks for staying here, Harry,” he whispered.

Harry whispered back, “It's my pleasure.”

They gazed at each other for a few moments, until Draco began to feel very drowsy. He closed his eyes and knew no more.

And just like that, their pattern was set. Their mornings were still a bit awkward, but it didn't stop them from spending every night together. Some days they woke up spooned around each other, some days they were back to back, or side to side and, on one memorable morning, Draco woke up draped across Harry like a blanket. It was absolutely wonderful, until Draco realized that he was hard and rubbing against Harry's hip. Then it became even more awkward.

For the most part, it was amazing. They got out of bed, danced around each other for a few minutes and then went about their day, which mostly consisted of research. They were searching for references to various Hogwarts relics, though Draco didn't quite understand why. Harry had told him about the Horcuxes, but Draco could not fathom that someone would actually do such a vicious, dangerous, depraved thing. Harry always smiled affectionately at him when he made his feelings known, which made Draco blush and brush it off. Harry was amazed at how soft hearted Draco was, what with being a Malfoy and indoctrinated by Riddle. Draco simply replied that, while he had completed his assignments, he didn't always care for the lessons. He couldn't fathom the desire to hurt people purposefully. But when he said this, it just made Harry grinned wider, prompting Draco to roll his eyes and get back to the research.

They spent a lot of time in the library with Hermione and, more and more, with Ron. It was hard on him, accepting that Draco had nothing to do with Ginny's death, and more so that Draco was a good person. He was coming around, but wasn't quite there yet. Harry had high hopes.

He had been feeling more and more that Draco was meant to be in his life. Yes, the prophecy had declared that Draco was the power he needed to defeat Riddle, though the manifestation of that power remained elusive, but Harry looked forward to his life after Riddle, and he couldn't imagine any life in which there was no Draco. He was becoming increasingly dependant on the other boy, and he knew, without a doubt, that he was falling deeply in love.

They spent their evenings in each others company as well, playing chess, talking, reading or just being with each other. Both Harry and Draco looked forward to evenings immensely, the time they spent alone together was precious to them. It was on one such evening, about six weeks after he had liberated Draco from Riddle Manor, that Harry felt the shift.

He and Draco had only shared a few kisses since that night weeks ago, despite sleeping in each others arms, but Harry was very ready to move forward, and he thought Draco finally was too. On this particular night they were sitting on the roof. Before Sirius had died he and Remus and fixed up the observatory there, making it both safe and comfortable. It was Harry's favorite place. The bright sun or stars beaming down on him when he was there drove away the damp, dankness of the house itself, as if nature loathed the dark magic as much as Harry did.

They were sitting on the swinging love seat, staring at the stars when Draco shivered. Harry's automatic reaction was to shift closer and wrap his arm around the other boy, so he did. Draco snuggled in closer until his head was resting in the crook of Harry's neck, his soft breaths making Harry hot and achy.

Draco shivered again and when Harry looked down at him to see what was the matter, he found Draco staring right back at him, with wide, adoring eyes and soft, pink lips. Harry could no longer resist.

He leaned down, gently brushing his lips against Draco's as he had before, once, twice, three times before pulling back to look Draco in the eyes.

“I, uh...” he stammered, “is this okay?”

Draco nodded his head, licking his lips in a very enticing manner that had Harry ready to burst.

“Yes, please,” Draco said, wrapping a hand around Harry's neck and pulling their lips together again. They kissed softly for a few minutes, before Harry worked up the nerve to slide his tongue along Draco's lips, meeting no resistance as he slid it inside.

Draco moaned when their tongues met, gripping Harry tighter. Harry, annoyed with the awkward angle, pulled and shifted, never once letting his lips leave Draco's until the other boy was straddling his lap, his arms around Harry's neck and buried in his hair.

Harry's hands ran up and down Draco's back, clinging and kneading and pulling Draco closer, as close as he could get. The kiss was deeply passionate, their bodies fitting together like a puzzle and that was when Harry realized.

He wasn't falling in love with Draco. He was in love with Draco. Totally and irrevocably. He never wanted to let Draco go, not ever. He pulled back with a gasp, panting from lack of air and from the shock of his epiphany. He had known it was coming, yes, but to be standing face to face with the stark reality that he would never be complete without Draco in his arms was a whole other matter.

“Harry?” Draco asked nervously, and Harry realized that he had been silent for far too long. He looked right into Draco's eyes, the passion and love he saw reflected there sparking all his nerve endings to life.

“I was just thinking,” Harry said, his hands still rubbing up and down Draco's back.

“Good, or bad?” Draco asked. Harry almost kissed him again when his tongue swiped across his bruised lips.

“Good,” Harry replied, staving off the desire to snog Draco senseless. “I was just thinking about us, and how fast this has all happened. You don't think it's too fast, do you?”

“Oh,” Draco bit his lip, and Harry groaned. “No, I don't think so. I've dreamt of you my whole life, Harry. I'm already bound to you, didn't you know?”

“You are, aren't you?” Harry smiled, holding onto Draco's shoulders and pulling him in for another kiss. They kept at it until a spattering of raindrops drove them inside, hands clasped and laughing.

*

That night, for the first time in the almost three weeks that since Draco had been rescued, he woke with a start, a cold sweat soaking his pyjamas and the pillowcase.

“Draco?” Harry mumbled sleepily, rolling to face him. “Alright?”

“No, I...” Draco trailed off, confused. He'd been woken sharply from his dreams many times over the years, but this time was very different. For the first time in his life, he'd dreamed something other than Harry. Or rather, more than just Harry.

“What is it?” Harry asked, rubbing his eyes before reaching out to rub Draco's arm.

“I had a dream,” Draco replied, still staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of it.

“A dream? You mean, a vision?” Harry leaned up, looked down at Draco, one hand resting on his chest.

“Yeah,”

Harry stared down at his hand on Draco's still heaving chest for a moment before looking up and trying to meet his eyes. “I thought you weren't having them anymore,”

“I wasn't,” Draco replied. “Until tonight.”

“Oh.”

Harry laid down again, leaving his arms across Draco's chest, while snuggling into his side. They stayed that way until Draco's breath had evened out again.

“D'you want to tell me about it?” Harry asked, rubbing his thumb over Draco's collarbone.

“No, but...I really should.” Draco shifted closer, searching for the security that being with Harry offered him.

“Okay,” Harry said, tightening his grip. “Whenever you're ready.”

“It was...strange,” Draco began. “I mean, it's always been you. Just you, no one else. I've been in a few, but only...it's like I'm seeing it from my own eyes, you know? I see my hand, or my arm, or I know I'm doing something and I can see you looking at me, but it's always just you.”

“I wasn't in this one?” Harry asked, fascinated still with the knowledge that Draco had spent his life dreaming about Harry.

“Yes, you were but Ron and Hermione were too. And it was one of those ones where I was watching from my eyes, I was right there.”

“So the four of us are doing something? I think we can assume that it's precognitive, since you dreamt about running through the forest with me the same night I found you.”

Draco smiled at him, meeting Harry's eyes for the first time since they'd awoken. “Yes, I'll never forget that night. I'd been waiting for you Harry, and I didn't know it until you walked into my room.”

“I didn't know I'd been looking for you, but here you are,” Harry replied.

“Yeah,” Draco leaned up and kissed him, softly, just a gentle brushing of lips, to reassure both of them that it was real.

“Go on,” Harry prompted after a moment. Draco sighed and, looking at the ceiling again, began to tell Harry about his vision.

“It was here, in this house. You were digging through a pile of junk in some little cubby hole, I'm not sure where, I've never seen it. It was rank and cluttered, just horrible. But finally, you pulled out this locket, a gold locket with a snake on the front. It was a like a celebration then, we were all so very happy. You handed it to me, and that's what woke me up. It was heavy and it burnt my skin, I think it was the pain that shocked me out of it.”

Harry sat up properly. “Here, in this house?”

“Yes,” Draco said, sitting up as well. “Harry, what is it? It's not a Horcrux is it? You think?”

“I do,” Harry said. “In fact, I know. It's Slytherin's locket, the one we have a fake of.”

“Wow, that's...that's great Harry, isn't it?” Draco was worried, Harry looked almost manic.

“Yes, it's amazing,” he pulled Draco close and gave him a sloppy kiss, before pulling back and jumping out of bed.

“Where are you going?” Draco exclaimed, already feeling cold in the bed.

“I have to go find it, it's important.”

Draco rolled his eyes. “Not now you don't. Ron and Hermione were with us, are you going to wake them up in the middle of the night? You don't even know where we found it.”

“I have a good idea,” Harry said. “Kreacher was collecting up all kinds of things that we were throwing away, I'm pretty sure he'll have hidden it all in his nest, or whatever. None of us would ever go there if we could avoid it.”

“It's still the middle of the night, Harry. Besides, it's been there for ages, it's not about to go walking away tonight, is it? Lets just wait for the morning and we'll get Ron and Hermione's help, alright?”

Draco tried out his best puppy dog eyes. They had never worked on his parents, his teachers, guards or Tom Riddle. But they worked on Harry. Draco had to keep from grinning when Harry sighed and got under the duvet again.

“Fine, you're right,” he said, shuffling close to Draco and pulling him into his arms once more. “And you did look rather pathetic just then...I can't just leave you here alone, can I?”

Draco scowled at Harry's amused grin. “No, you can't. And I am not pathetic Potter, so bite your tongue.”

But Harry just smiled wider. “Oh no, of course you're not,” he said cheekily. “So sorry, my mistake.”

Draco pinched his nipple, laughing when Harry jumped.

“If you're done insulting me, I'd like to go back to sleep now,” Draco said, huffing but snuggling closer into Harry's chest. “All this dreaming and talking has worn me out.”

“I bet,” Harry said. He was feeling drowsy again too, all warm and content with Draco in his arms. He was getting used to this, no...he was used to it. As Draco settled back into sleep, Harry thought about how far they'd come in a few short weeks.

Sex wasn't something he'd spent much time thinking about, he'd always been too busy and distracted, but he'd since his short and disastrous fling with Cho Chang, he'd questioned what he really liked and wanted. That's when he'd figured out he was gay, something that he'd kept pretty quiet since then. Only Ron and Hermione knew for sure, though Harry was certain that Dumbledore knew as well. On the other hand, he wondered about the old man as well; his robes were far too colorful.

Then everything had changed. Walking into Draco's room and seeing him there, bare chested and sleep mussed, had fired Harry's libido into full gear. He'd never felt the kind of desperate passion for anyone that he had for Draco but it was tempered by a tenderness that was equally surprising. The emotions Draco stirred in him, just by being there, were shocking.

As a bonus, Harry's connection to Riddle had been all but cut off since he'd been sleeping with Draco. As if Draco was blocking it somehow. Harry had no idea how to explain it, but he certainly wasn't complaining. He'd much rather have Draco in his bed than Riddle in his head.

Draco mumbled and draped a leg over Harry's hip, snuggling even closer. Harry grinned widely, love filling up his chest, leaving him fully satisfied, perhaps for the first time ever.

*

June 1995

Draco's fifteenth birthday came and went with as much fanfare as his thirteenth and fourteenth. That is to say, with none. His parents were allowed a visit, and they enjoyed a quiet dinner together, talking about many things but nothing of importance. Nothing involving how long Draco had been there, how long he would be, or just why he was still a prisoner.

Oh, his parents and Riddle did not use such a term; Riddle still insisted on calling Draco his 'guest' but Draco was not fooled. He was a prisoner.

His parents were allowed to bring him gifts, but only things like pre-approved books and sweets. Occasionally he'd be given a small magical object, but nothing with any real usefulness. Draco had moved past bored by the end of his first month there and as such he had thrown himself into studying with a ferocity that had shocked his parents. He had been a mediocre student during his childhood and his short time at Durmstrang but while he was there, the distractions had been many and here... here there was nothing.

His parents visited on a regular basis, together or separately, and Draco had to endure nightly dinners in the presence of Tom Riddle. He was unfailingly patient with Draco, but completely avoided any questions that Draco had. The only answer he would give as to why Draco was being kept there was that he was in danger from the world at large, and only Riddle had the security and power to keep him safe. What he needed protecting from was unknown, and the power that he had been purported to have that necessitated such protection was equally as unknown. Draco was frustrated with the lack of information, but there was no way out, that he could see.

Guards were posted outside his room at all hours, he had checked. In fact, he had attempted to leave so many times that Riddle had began to lock the door as well as posting the guards. That was before Draco's thirteenth birthday, and that was when he had realized that he truly was a prisoner. That was when the hope that his parents would get him out of there or that he'd be allowed to go back to Durmstrang began to fade.

By his fourteenth birthday, that hope was completely gone.

The day after his fifteenth birthday, Riddle collected him for a walk on the grounds, as was their custom. They walked several times a week, whenever Riddle was free. He was occupied with some kind of campaign but, as with everything else, Draco was kept out of the loop. He had determined it must be some kind of politics, considering Riddle's manner and his belief in pureblood superiority above all, something which his father agreed heartily.

Draco wasn't so sure, but he kept this idea to himself. It seemed to him that, if magical culture was going to survive into the future, they needed all the magical beings they could get. Of course, the mudbloods were inferior, but that didn't mean they should be killed or shunned. Draco thought they should use them, teach them magical culture and take advantage of their skills.

He never said anything on the subject of course, save what Riddle and his father had told him he should believe.

In all, his life was quiet, boring and lonely. He hadn't talked to anyone his own age in three years, and he missed living at home with his parents. As time went on, he was becoming increasingly concerned about Riddle's plans for him. Honestly, he had no clue what Riddles' plans for him were, but it was clear he was being kept for a reason beyond his protection.

What made it all more confusing were the dreams. He'd been dreaming of the same boy all his life, but they had become more and more clear in the past year. He was a handsome boy, with wild hair and spectacles. He had the brightest, greenest eyes Draco had ever seen. Sometimes when he thought about those eyes for too long, he got shivers of premonition that left him pondering what he was really doing here.

He never mentioned the dreams to anyone. The few times he'd thought about it, he'd begun feeling uneasy, as if his body itself was warning him against it. One time, he had almost forced himself to do it, to tell Riddle about the boy in his dreams, but instead he had found himself in the loo, head down over the toilet and vomiting out the fine dinner he'd just eaten.

It had not been a pleasant evening, and he had no wish to repeat it.

And so his life went on, as tedious and unending as ever, the only consolation was his studies. He was encouraged in his desire to learn more, so he took advantage of it. Perhaps he would never escape from this place but, if he did, at least he would be well educated. For what, he did not know, but it kept him going.

*

June 1997

The next morning they told Ron and Hermione right away, receiving differing reactions. Ron was sceptical. Though he'd come a long way he was still scornful of Draco and his position in Harry's life, but he mostly kept it to himself since the confrontation in the kitchen the day after Draco had arrived.

Hermione, on the other hand, could not stop berating herself for not having figured it out sooner, which was ridiculous when one considered that, at the time, they'd had no idea that the locket even existed.

“So all we need to do is dig through the crap in Kreacher's nest,” Harry said, beaming at his friends.

“That's all?” Ron scoffed. “I say we make Draco do it, it was his vision, after all.”

“Don't be ridiculous, Ron,” Hermione scolded. “Draco's already done his part.”

“I'll do the digging, it's no big deal, really. Can't be any worse than cleaning up after Dudley, can it?” Harry said, trying to lighten the mood.

Hermione and Ron shared a look, but Draco was confused.

“Dudley who?” he asked Harry.

“My cousin, but he's not important right now,” Harry waved it away. “With any luck I'll never have to see him again.”

“Well, let's get going then,” Hermione said, standing up from the kitchen table. “The sooner it's done, the sooner we can send for Dumbledore and get the thing destroyed.”

The other three stood and followed her.

“I'm still not convinced it's actually there,” Ron said derisively. “I can't believe it's been there, all this time.”

“We'll find out soon enough,” Harry said, giving Ron a stern look. He was getting tired of all the little jabs at Draco from Ron, but he knew that, despite a healthy stubborn streak, Ron would come around.

Harry gave Draco a reassuring grin before tugging open the door to Kreacher's nest. He was immediately struck by the musty chaos of it. A pile of rolled up rags sat in the middle of heaping piles of junk...old Black heirlooms that had fallen into decay, portraits, boxes containing various unknown items. It was all piled around haphazardly, and Harry sighed at the thought of digging through it all. And he would have to do the digging, as the space was barely enough to permit one person inside it, and certainly not two.

Harry took a deep breath and went in. There was nothing for it.

*

Finding the Horcrux was quite a victory, considering how long it had been since they had uncovered the last one. Dumbledore was particularly pleased, praising and congratulating Draco for enabling the discovery. That evening there was an Order meeting in the house, though it did not last very long. Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione sat in on it, but had little to contribute. Dumbledore had asked them to keep the manner of Draco's arrival and his relationship with Harry under wraps for the time being. He told the other Order members simply that Draco was a refugee of the war, and he would be helping the others with their vital research. It was the truth, if only a part of it.

The atmosphere was jubilant, so most of the others stayed after the meeting for drinks and talk. They played games, told jokes and drank themselves dizzy until the wee hours of the morning. Harry finally pulled Draco up to their room when he could no longer hide his yawns and drooping eyes. It was almost 2am and Harry was tired too.

So they washed up, brushed the treats of the evening off their teeth and tumbled into their bed, laughing with the pure bliss of just being together. When Draco leaned over Harry and kissed him softly, the mood became much more serious. They stared into each others eyes, saying everything with one heated look.

Harry threaded his fingers through the soft hairs at the nape of Draco's neck, thrilled that he was allowed to, that he was allowed to touch and kiss this beautiful creature whenever he wished. It was a gift he could never have imagined until Draco came into his life. He tugged Draco down again, sucking gently on his bottom lip before pushing his tongue past Draco's lips into his hot mouth. Draco moaned and returned the kiss, sinking down until he was lying on top of Harry fully.

It was Harry's turn to groan this time, as his aroused cock came into contact with Draco's. He rubbed, frotting upward into Draco's body as the pleasure built. Draco pushed back into him, moaning and panting as Harry continued to lick at his mouth. They were both becoming desperate now, the pressure and friction was bringing them both to the peak of pleasure that they were chasing.

“Draco, I want, I...” Harry gasped , burying his face into Draco's neck, letting his lips go where they would, nipping and sucking the blood to the surface as he went.

“I know,” Draco replied, pulling in a few desperate breaths. He pushed down in to Harry even harder now, as the pleasure built further. “I want you too Harry, so much.”

“Yeah,” Harry moved his hands down, gripping Draco's hips to gain more pressure. It wasn't enough, so he wrapped his hands around Draco's buttocks, clenching them and pulling until he was able to build up a proper rhythm.

“Oh Harry, that's...oh yeah,” Draco laid his head on Harry's shoulder, pushing harder still until he came more spectacularly than he ever had before. Harry felt the shudders of Draco's body as it exploded in pleasure, and the warm wetness of Draco's climax seeping through their pyjamas, something that would be uncomfortable in other circumstances, was enough to push him over the edge as well.

He grunted loudly as his climax ripped through him. He shuddered once more in the aftermath, loosening his grip on Draco's arse and wrapping his arms around Draco's waist instead, keeping him close. But Draco wasn't going anywhere. He was boneless atop Harry's equally boneless for, panting softly into Harry's neck. Harry cold almost feel the smile against his skin.

“Harry, that was...” He stopped, at a loss of words to describe the feeling.

“Amazing?” Harry completed the sentence.

“Yeah, that,” Draco pulled back to look Harry in the eyes, crossing his arms over Harry's chest and resting his chin on them. “When I came here, I never expected anything like this but, I...want more.”

“Me too,” Harry said, smiling brightly at Draco while running his hands up and down Draco's back.

“I didn't even know this was possible, two boys together. But, I've never imagined feeling this way. Have you?”

Harry chuckled, leaning in to kiss Draco's lips. “I have. I realized a while ago that I was attracted to other boys. But I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. I've never felt this way before.”

“Good,” Draco said. “Because, bond or not, I'm going to keep you.”

“I'm not going anywhere,” Harry said, suddenly serious. “I don't care about the prophecy. I'm never letting you go.” Draco smiled at him and Harry smiled back, once again saying everything else through their eyes, their lips meeting again.

“Well,” Harry said, once they had surfaced again. “We'd better get cleaned up.” They laughed, pulling their sticky bodies apart and getting out of bed again.

*

As Harry and Draco continued to get closer, one was rarely seen without the other. Harry was beginning to wonder just how he had managed before he met Draco. Far from being stifling, having him there was like a breath of fresh air, combined with an enormous kick to his libido. They tried to be discreet about the new path their relationship had taken, but they were finding it difficult to keep their hands off each other. If they were alone, their research quickly descended into heated snogging sessions, sometimes going so far that they needed to separate to cool down, or retreat to their room.

While Harry was revelling in the excitement of having a boyfriend, Draco was marvelling that such a thing was possible. He was sure that everyone who frequented the house knew how their relationship had changed, and they all seemed to be fine with it. Draco wasn't so sure about it, but he was sure about Harry. The thought of leaving him was repugnant. He preferred to be as close as possible, all the time and fortunately Harry felt the same way.

As their intimacy grew so did the vividness of Draco's visions. He'd dreamed several times of what he was coming to believe was the final confrontation. Harry's face was grim and set, his eyes glittering with anger and determination. But the power swirling around him was immense, much more than Harry possessed, and Draco found he could not decipher it. In the vision he was standing behind Harry, holding his hand tightly. At first Draco thought he was hiding behind Harry, clinging for life, but the more he had the vision, the more he realized that he was supporting Harry, encouraging him through presence and touch.

He also had another vision of Harry finding a Horcrux. It was a tiara, lost in a room filled with broken and cluttered junk, piled on top of more junk. It confused Draco, so much that he hardly knew how to describe it, but Harry seemed to know exactly what he was talking about. He had insisted on contacting Dumbledore as soon as they woke, and they were currently waiting in the kitchen for his response.

Draco sat at the table, watching Harry pace back and forth across the floor. He was sipping his tea, while Harry's cup sat cold and untouched. Draco sighed. Seeing Harry this worked up was painful, there was nothing they could do until Dumbledore got back to them, and, after years in the room, Draco knew that the tiara was not in danger of getting lost. Indeed, his vision showed him its exact location. That didn't worry him. Harry's mood did.

“Harry,” he said, when he could stand it no longer.

“Mmm,” Harry said, not stopping in his pacing.

“Why don't you come over here, so I can distract you?” Draco said slyly, getting up from the bench to lean against the table.

“I'm fine,” Harry said, giving Draco a quick smile. “He should be here anytime now, it won't be long.”

“You aren't fine, you're a basket case. Now come over here and let me relax you,” Draco said, attempting a pose that he hoped was properly seductive.

It seemed to work, as Harry took a long second glance, his eyes drinking Draco in from head to toe. Draco smirked. Harry was rather predictable.

Also, stubborn. He continued his path once he was able to tear his eyes away from Draco's body.

Draco sighed, and tried again. “Harry, I want to snog the nervousness out of you, so get your fine arse over here, or I will come to you.” That stopped Harry in his tracks. He turned to Draco with a sly smile, letting his eyes wander once more.

“Oh, so that's how it is, eh?” Harry moved toward Draco like a predator, and Draco shivered. Harry never failed to affect him, to set him on the edge of desire with just a look.

“I'm more concerned about your fine arse,” Harry continued. He moved in front of Draco, wrapping his arms around Draco's slender waist, cupping his hands over said arse.

“That's more like it,” Draco said, reaching up to thread his fingers through Harry's hair. He loved Harry's hair, second only to his eyes. It was wild and thick, it smelled wonderful and it was as untameable as Harry himself. Draco couldn't get enough of it, tugging on it when Harry sucked him, gripping it when they kissed, running his hands through it when they lay wrapped around each other in bed.

Harry leaned in and kissed him, pushing his tongue into Draco's mouth without hesitation. Draco loved the way Harry took charge of their lovemaking, his hands sure and firm as they brought reactions out of Draco's body that he'd never dreamed of.

Those hands were doing it now, stroking and clenching Draco's buttocks as Harry's lips sucked and licked a path down Draco's neck to his collarbone revealed by the open collar of his shirt. They had not had proper penetrative sex yet, something that Draco found himself wanting more and more. Hand jobs were lovely, frotting was always exciting and Draco loved blow jobs above all, both giving and receiving them, but the ache to feel Harry inside him, stretching him and filling him up, was becoming impossible to ignore. That was another thing he'd never imagined, but after discovering a sex manual in the library and smuggling it to a private place, he'd devoured it in one sitting and quickly become fascinated by the idea. He'd never been much interested in girls and now he knew why.

Draco moaned deeply, gripping Harry's shoulders, trying to pull him in closer, opening his legs to cradle Harry's lean hips. Harry quickly picked him up, propping Draco on the edge of the table, pushing closer to rub their cocks together. They were fast reaching the point of no return, when the fireplace flared a brilliant green and Professor Dumbledore stepped through gracefully.

Draco saw him first and pushed Harry back with all his strength, which was a shock to Harry as Draco had just been pulling him close with the same strength. Harry stumbled a bit, panting and looking at Draco in shock

“Wha...” he begun, but that was when he noticed that they were not alone. Draco had jumped off the table and gone back to his seat on the bench, hiding his erection under the table and his blush by burying his face in his hands.

Harry was left standing in front of the fireplace where Dumbledore stood with a raised eyebrow and a bemused grin.

“Professor you...you're here,” Harry stammered. Draco rolled his eyes. He loved Harry, he was brave and strong and determined and kind and funny but...still a bit of a twat.

“As you see,” Dumbledore said, his amusement plain in his voice. “I see I was interrupting, should I return later?”

“No!” Harry said, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. “We uh...we were just passing the time, no need to uh...would you like some tea?” Changing the subject was the quickest way to moving past this whole mess. Draco approved.

“No thank you Harry, I'd rather we just get to the subject at hand,” he sat on the bench across from Draco. “Your message did seem rather urgent. What can I do for you, boys?”

Harry glanced at Draco, moving around to sit beside him. “Draco had another vision.”

“Another Horcrux?” Dumbledore leaned forward on the table, intrigued.

“We believe so,” Harry replied. “He saw the Room of Hidden Things at Hogwarts, the most vivid thing being the bust of a lady with a tiara on her head. I've seen it, I remember it clearly, and I'm sure that's Ravenclaw's diadem.”

“I believe you may be right. That particular room is filled with such a wide variety of valuables and cast offs, I do not hesitate to believe it,” Dumbledore smiled at Draco. “And Mr. Malfoy's visions have never been wrong. I will see to it,” he stood to leave but Draco stopped him.

“Sir, in the vision, it's Harry I see recovering the tiara,” he said firmly. “Shouldn't he be the one to get it?”

“Well, I don't really see the harm,” Dumbledore said, practically twinkling at them. “In fact, why don't you make a day of it? School is out and the castle is quite empty. Though there is still much work to be done, that part of the castle is quite safe. Harry, perhaps you'd like to show Draco around the grounds, and we can share lunch after you are finished.”

Harry beamed. “That's a fantastic idea Professor, thank you,” Harry smiled at Draco, taking his hand and squeezing with excitement. “What do you think, would you like to see it?”

“I'd love to,” Draco said, returning Harry's smile. “My parents both went to Hogwarts, and I've heard so much about it.”

“Excellent, then it's settled. I need to get back to the school, lots to do, you know, but you two can come along when you are ready.” He stood and dusted himself off.

“We're ready now, sir,” Harry said, but Dumbledore merely waved it off.

“No, I am quite sure you were in the middle of something when I arrived. Feel free to finish up, I'll be waiting for you,” And, with a wink at each boy, he was off into the flames and gone.

They stared at each other for a few moments, both of them blushing. Harry coughed to cover his nervousness, then gave Draco a weak smile.

“He ah...he's just kidding. We'd better go.”

“Are you sure?” Draco asked. “I, uh...not that I'm much in the mood anymore.” He grimaced. It was bad enough that Dumbledore had walked in on them frotting against each other like, well, like teenage boys, but the idea that he was waiting for them to finish, knowing exactly what they were doing? It was too much for either of them.

“No, I'm not either, and that's something I never thought I'd say to you.”

“Maybe when we get back, we can,” Draco waved a hand between the two of them.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Harry rubbed the back of his neck, sighing.

“Should we leave a note for Hermione?” Draco asked, and Harry frowned at how Draco specifically didn't mention Ron. Things were better between them, but still not all that good, but they had settled into a truce. Neither of them acknowledged the other, in word or deed, and finally a sense of peace had settled over the house. Harry was grateful but frustrated all at once.

Harry wrote a quick note, telling Hermione, who was at the Burrow with Ron, where they'd gone and why. Then he joined Draco in front of the fireplace, leaning in to give him a tender kiss before throwing the Floo powder into the flames and calling out their destination.

“Well boys, that was quick,” Dumbledore said when they arrived.

“We didn't, uh...we,” Harry stammered, not knowing what he should say. He cleared his throat instead. “We'll just head to the Room of Requirement then,” he took Draco's hand and tugged him toward the door.

Draco was amazed as they made their way through the castle. The sheer volume of magical portraits and curiosities thrilled him. He told Harry that Durmstrang had been quite stark, it was all business there, compared to Hogwarts where the comfort and interests of the students were more valued. When they arrived at the Room of Requirement, Harry paced in front of the door, bringing up the door for the Room of Hidden Things. He opened the door, stepping a side to let Draco enter the room first.

“Wow!” Draco exclaimed. The room was as messy and cluttered as Harry remembered. He knew where the bust with the diadem was at least, it would help.

“This is amazing, Harry,” Draco tugged him further into the room, letting the door close behind him.

“I know. I discovered this room during my fifth year here,” Harry looked around, trying to see it all again for the first time.

"Why is the door hidden? To keep everything safe?”

Harry chuckled. “No, actually, this is the Room of Hidden Things, but the actual space is called the Room of Requirement. There's no door because it changes depending on the requirements of the person who is trying to enter it.”

“So, it changes, to whatever you want?” Draco looked at Harry with eyes wide with awe.

“Yep,” Harry grinned at him, pulling him further into the room, toward the cabinet with the bust atop it. “You walk in front of the door three times, thinking hard about what you need and the room provides it for you. We've used this room for all kinds of things over the years, it's really useful. And if you don't want anyone to come in, the room hides the door.”

“What a stunning piece of magic. This must take an extraordinary amount of power to maintain. Does Dumbledore keep it running, or does it have a well of power to draw on? What about the spells, are they self perpetuating, or do they need to be renewed?”

Harry laughed. Draco's thirst for knowledge was as great as Hermione's, but far less annoying to him.

“I'm not sure, Draco, you'll have to ask Dumbledore. I'm pretty sure the spells are self contained, but I have no idea about the power source.”

“I'll do that. I'd love to study this place, I'm sure it would keep my busy for years and I'd only scratch the surface.” Draco was gazing in wonder at the room, reaching out to touch some things as they passed.

“I'm sure you'll be allowed, but you'll have to talk to Dumbledore about that as well.” Harry guided Draco between the stacks, keeping his eyes peeled for the cabinet.

“So, if this room can be anything we require...perhaps we should test it out after we find the diadem.” Draco moved closer to Harry looking up at him through thick blonde lashes.

Harry swallowed. His arousal from earlier was making itself known again. “Test it how?” he asked, licking his lips as Draco pouted. That bottom lip was always so very tempting.

“Do I need to spell it out for you Harry? I'm sure this level of magic could conjure up a very comfortable bed, and we could be very, very private.” Draco pulled Harry to a stop, turning him so they were facing each other and pressed their bodies together. Harry could feel that his arousal wasn't the only one that was renewed.

“I'm sure it could,” Harry couldn't resist wrapping his arms around Draco and pulling him closer. “But Dumbledore is still waiting for us.”

“To bring him the diadem, yes, but then we'll have time to tour the castle, remember? Why not stop off here again before we continue on?” Draco pushed his groin harder against Harry's, opening his lips in and invitation that Harry could not resist. He leaned down and captured Draco's lips, opening them with his tongue, sweeping them both up in a passionate kiss full of promise.

Draco pulled back before Harry was ready for it to end, and he moaned his displeasure. But Draco pushed him away.

“Draco,” Harry whined, reaching for his escaping boyfriend. “I thought you wanted to.”

“I do,” Draco said. “Very much. But I'd rather do it when the old man isn't waiting, wouldn't you?” He raised an eyebrow at Harry, who sighed.

“No, you're right, we'd better get this done first. Then, we can take our time.” He leered at Draco who laughed.

“Nice leer, Potter. Now get your arse in gear and let's find it.”

Harry wasted no time in locating the diadem and accioing it down from its perch. They took it to Dumbledore who praised them both before taking it to dispose of, leaving the boys free to explore the castle.

“Though I do hope you'll take lunch with me, when you're done," Dumbledore declared, twinkling at the two of them so much that neither was convinced he didn't know precisely what they intended to do.

They agreed, before scurrying out of the office and back to the room.

“Let me try,” Draco said, as Harry went to walk in front of the door.

“Have at it,” Harry replied, standing back. Draco screwed up his face in confrontation, and paced three times in front of the wall. A door shimmered into being, a simple door of rich oak, with a shiny silver handle.

“You first, it's your room,” Harry encouraged Draco when he simply stood in front of it for a few moments.

“I can't believe it actually worked,” Draco said in awe.

“You won't know for sure until you open the door,” Harry said, gesturing to it.

Draco looked at him nervously, before stepping forward and pulling the door open. He took a step inside, gasping at what he saw. Harry peeked over his shoulder, also impressed.

Draco had created a luxurious room in blue and silver. There was a large, comfortable looking bed piled high with pale pillows, a soft looking leather couch in front of a cozy fire, and a sideboard with drinks and snacks.

“Wow, Draco,” Harry said, nudging him forward. “Good job.”

“Thanks,” Draco said as they entered. Harry took his hand and led him to the couch, sitting down and pulling Draco with him. Once they were settled, they wasted no time with small talk, and got right down to the snogging. Draco's arms wrapped around Harry's waist and shoulders while Harry's hands threaded through his hair.

Their mouths parted and met, tongues dancing with each other, thrusting and withdrawing until both boys had to pull back, panting to regain their breath. They didn't let lack of oxygen stop them though, Harry's hands moved to Draco's chest and were busy undoing his buttons, even as Draco lay back on the couch, tugging so that Harry came down with him.

He pulled Harry's shirt off, not protesting when Harry pinned his hands above his head, licking a path down Draco's neck and chest before sucking one nipple into his mouth. Draco gasped, using his legs to push his hips up into Harry's. The friction of their cocks through their trousers only heightened the sensations.

Harry kept sucking until there was a bright red hickey surrounding Draco's nipple. Draco shuddered when he blew on it, the shakes reverberating through his whole body.

“Harry, please,” Draco begged, though he was unsure of what he was asking for, but Harry just kept on, moving to the other side to suck a matching mark on Draco's other nipple.

Harry pulled back a grinned proudly, letting go of Draco's hands to flick the nipple he'd just sensitized with his mouth, unable to stop from gasping in pain when Draco's free hand gripped his hair so tight it pulled.

“Merlin, Harry,” Draco panted as their eyes met, lust and love filling the room as they stared into each other.

“What do you want?” Harry asked leaning down to suck Draco's bottom lip in to his mouth, rubbing his tongue across the plump flesh before letting it go again.

“I, uh...” Draco was distracted once more as Harry nuzzled his way across Draco's neck sucking his earlobe this time, until Draco tugged his head back with the hand still entangled in his hair.

“Since you're so, uhhn, so good at it, why don't you keep that up?” he said, arching his body up into Harry's.

“Keep what up?” Harry asked with a low voice, pushing his hips down into Draco's, hard. “This?”

“Shite, that's...” Draco moaned, pulling Harry's head down again for another kiss before breaking away, panting. “Suck me, Harry,” he demanded, shivering at Harry's predatory grin.

“Oh, I'd love to,” Harry replied, taking his mouth in another kiss before releasing his other hand and licking his way down Draco's torso. He unfastened Draco's trousers and tugged them down, along with his pants, catching Draco's bobbing cock on his chin when it was freed.

He sucked it into his mouth immediately, letting his lips play around the sensitive head, pushing Draco's foreskin back with his tongue before dropping his head down, not stopping until his nose was brushing the crisp blonde hair at it's base.

It didn't last long, though, Harry gagged on the thick length, pulling off and coughing, gasping for air.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly, his eyes watering a bit.

“That's alright, it felt amazing,” Draco replied, running his hands through Harry's hair in a comforting motion.

“I'll just have to try and do better, then,” Harry said, leaning down again to lick the drop of moisture at the head, licking it clean before dropping down again, taking more. He worked hard at it, not that it was difficult. The taste of Draco was intoxicating, his cock felt heavy and right in Harry's mouth. By the time he was able to take it all in again, Draco was gasping and tugging his hair in desperation.

“Harry, I'm gonna come,” he choked out, about two seconds before he did, spurting his release down Harry's throat and over his lips as Harry pulled back, coughing on the fluid filling his mouth suddenly. He licked Draco's cock and his lips clean as Draco shuddered out the remnants of his climax, his hands clenching sporadically in Harry's hair.

“I, I don't...I've never,” Draco took a deep breath, letting go of Harry's hair and cupping his cheeks. “I've never imagined it could be like this,” he said, stroking Harry's cheek.

Harry climbed back up, laying atop him again. “Neither have I. I've only kissed one girl, and I'd never had the chance to kiss a boy, so it's new to me too.” Harry smiled, kissing Draco softly. “It must be you Draco, you're amazing.”

“You're mad,” Draco said, smiling fondly at Harry.

“Mad for you,” Harry replied. “Now, are you gonna help me out with this, or what?” he asked, rotating his hips so that his needy cock rubbed against Draco's hipbones.

“Switch places,” Draco said, sliding off the couch, fastening his clothes again while Harry laid down and undid his. He pushed his t-shirt up his chest and then pulled his cock out, shoving his pants and jeans down over his hips.

Draco didn't waste any time. Harry was intoxicating, Draco knew his taste well by now. It never failed to excite him, just the thought of Harry could leave him hard and desperate. He crawled in between Harry's legs, gripping his cock and stroking slowly until Harry whined in protest.

“Get on with it, would you?” Harry demanded, but Draco just chuckled.

“Patience is a virtue Harry,” Draco said, leaning down to Harry's cock.

“You can take your virtue and ooh...” Harry was silenced by Draco's tongue on his balls, licking them all over before dragging his tongue upwards to Harry's cock. He licked it like it was a lollipop, humming in delight as he sucked drops of precome off the tip.

“Draco, stop teasing,” Harry said, gripping the cushions tightly. “I won't last long,”

“So?” Draco asked, nonchalant. “You can come when you need to, Harry.” He winked up at his desperate boyfriend. Draco loved playing the tease. Harry always played along, giving in and begging with abandon.

“Please suck me Draco,” he said, pleading with his eyes and voice. “Please.”

“Hmm,” Draco said, holding Harry's cock upright and considering. “It's awfully big Harry, I don't know if I can get it all in.”

“I'm sure you can,” Harry snapped back, clenching his teeth. “It's not that big.”

“Why Harry, how can you talk about yourself like that?” Draco said as if scandalized. His mouth was hovering over Harry's twitching cock, his hot breath ghosting over the tip every time Draco spoke.

“Just get on with it, dammit!” Harry exclaimed, shooting daggers in Draco's direction with his eyes.

“Oh, alright,” Draco acted as if he was much put upon, no matter how much he loved and looked forward to it. Teasing Harry was too much fun. But Draco knew when it was time to give in, so he did, sucking Harry's cock down as far as he could go. He stroked the part that he couldn't reach with his hand, twisting it at the base ever as his tongue circled the tip.

Harry didn't last long at all. He'd been on edge far too long, and that coupled with his earlier disappointment had his climax rushing over him mere moments later. He filled Draco's mouth with his creamy release.

Draco was expecting it, so he managed to swallow it all down, licking and sucking any spare drops until Harry was shaking with the sensations and tugging Draco away.

“I was right,” Harry said as Draco sat back, licking his reddened lips. “You are amazing.” He smiled up at Draco, who beamed back. He tucked Harry in quickly, moving up again to snuggle into Harry's chest, his own filling with a sweet ache as Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's back.

They lay in silence for a few minutes, breathing together, hearts slowing to a regular pace as they held each other.

“I love you, Harry,” Draco said, turning to bury his head in Harry's neck.

Harry smiled, the part of his heart he hadn't known was aching loosened. “I love you, Draco,” he replied, holding Draco even tighter.

*

Ron and Hermione were home when they got back to Grimmauld Place late that afternoon. Harry and Draco had spent the morning in the Room of Requirement and touring the castle before taking lunch with Dumbledore. They spent the afternoon by the lake, swimming, chasing each other around as well as other less wholesome things that boys can get up to on a fine summer's day. It was as if they were suspended in time, alone in the world and free to enjoy themselves without the burdens and pressures that their lives had pressed on them.

Draco was gushing with excitement about Hogwarts, something Hermione was equally as eager to discuss. She immediately offered to lend her copy of Hogwarts: A History, and launched in to a detailed summary that had Draco ecstatic but left Harry and Ron bored to tears. They volunteered to escape to the shops for some take out and promptly left, wondering if Hermione and Draco had even noticed they'd gone.

While they were waiting for their dinner, Ron coughed uncomfortably before finally asking Harry how things were going with Draco.

“You'd know if you spent more time around us, Ron,” Harry said patiently. Ron and Draco were still doing their 'ignore each other and it'll all go away' thing but Harry knew that Draco was only playing the game out of offence at Ron's reaction to his last name and the imagined crimes Draco had committed by default because he was a Malfoy.

“Yeah well, I'm trying,” Ron said, crossing his arms with a huff.

“You know,” Harry said seriously. He'd had enough of this game. “I don't think you are. You say so, but your behaviour shows the opposite.”

“Well, it's not like he's being all friendly with me,” Ron replied.

“He's offended and hurt at the way you've treated him,” Harry turned to face Ron, leaning against the wall of the restaurant. “He's done nothing, had no idea what his father and Riddle were really like, and you tore him apart from something that happened five years ago, that had nothing at all to do with Draco. What were you expecting, Ron?”

“But Harry,” Ron began, but Harry cut him off.

“No, I've heard enough. If you make and effort to be nice to Draco, he'll do that same. We're the only people in this world he knows who he can be safe with and if I ever had to go somewhere without him, I'd like to know that my best friend would protect him, instead of shunning him and hanging him out to dry.”

“I would never betray him Harry, you have to know that,” Ron said, turning to face Harry as well.

“How am I supposed to know that?” Harry asked. “From what I've seen, you hate him. You resent his place in my life and his very existence. You have a major grudge against his father and whether or not it's justified, it tells me that you'd be willing to hurt the son to hurt the father.” They were silent for a moment, both of them pondering the truth of Harry's words.

“You really think I'd do that?” Ron's voice was quiet with hurt, but Harry realized there was no other way to get through to him.

“What else am I to think, Ron, considering the way you've treated him?” Harry stopped and took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to reconcile his best friend with his boyfriend. Ron had taken Ginny's death harder than any of his brothers, and letting go of grudges had always been difficult for him.

“Ron, I love him. He's a part of my life now, and will be forever if I have any say in it. You need to find a way to get past your hate for Lucius and realize that Draco is a different person. He's innocent Ron. In ways I can't even fathom, and I'm with him all the time.”

Harry didn't know what else to say. Ron was quiet and pensive, his face solemn as he thought about what Harry had said.

“I'm going to get the food,” Harry said, standing up straight. “I hope you can get over this, Ron, because you're important to me, but I'm not letting Draco get away, ever. I need you both in my life, so you're going to have to come up with a way to get along.” He turned and went inside, hoping he hadn't just fucked things up worse. On the other hand, it could hardly get worse.

The food was ready, so he paid for it and went back outside. Ron was standing where Harry had left him, staring at the stars, or what he could see of them. He nodded at Harry at they headed back, walking silently, there was nothing left to be said between them.

When they got back, Draco and Hermione were both absorbed in Hermione's copy of Hogwarts: A History, chattering to each other about magical theory and power sources and what spells could be used where. Harry was relieved that, if Ron and Draco never got on, at least he had a friend in Hermione. She and Draco were very similar, something that made Harry smile and roll his eyes at the same time.

They unpacked the food, grabbing plates and cutlery, spreading them across the table. They sat opposite their other halves, who were just now surfacing from the tome.

Harry froze, fork halfway to his mouth when Ron spoke up.

“Draco, would you like some ginger beef?” he asked politely, holding out the container.

Draco looked from Harry to Ron to Hermione and back to Harry before grinning and reaching out for the box. “Thanks Ron, I'd like that,” he said, taking the carton.

“No problem,” Ron immediately tucked into his own food, ignoring Harry and Hermione's amazed looks. Draco grinned brightly at Harry, who smiled back, giving Draco a wink. Once they had all settled into eating, he nudged Ron with his shoulder in a gesture of thanks. Ron just grunted, eyes on his plate, but his ears turned the slightest bit pink. Harry smirked, and some of the weight that had been pressing him down lifted off. It was all going to be okay.

*

June 1992

Harry gasped desperately for air, clutching his wounded arm to his side, trying to ignore the pain. Hot tears began to fall down his cheeks as he surveyed the chamber around him. The Basilisk was dead, thank Merlin, but it was still massive and terrifying, even if Harry knew it couldn't hurt him again. One stab was enough, he would certainly die down here.

The diary lay open in a pool of blood, battered and stabbed through with the Basilisk's broken tooth, but it had been too late.

Much too late.

Harry heaved in a deep, shuddering breath as he turned his head further. The pool of blood that was slowly staining the empty pages of the diary belonged to Ginny. Poor, innocent Ginny, who would never get the chance to grow out of her crush on Harry. He sucked in another breath, but it came out as a sob.

He dragged his aching body over to where she lay on the floor of the Chamber, her life force, her very essence stolen away at the whim of a madman. Harry felt the guilt and despair rise up in him as her brushed his fingers over her still warm cheek.

Riddle had solidified when the life had left her, and had fled down the tunnels for freedom, through a path that Harry wasn't aware of, a path he didn't care to find. Ginny was gone and he would soon join her, two cold, sorry corpses laid to rest forever beside the monster that had stalked them.

Harry sobbed again, wrapping his good arm tight around his body, trying to hold in his anguish, but it ripped through him anyway, and left him shaking with the enormity of it all.

But before he could brood more thoroughly on his sad state, he was distracted but the shrill call of a phoenix. He had forgotten about Fawkes, though the noble bird had done it's best to help him defeat Riddle and the Basilisk. One out of two was not good enough, not when Riddle was free to bring destruction once more while Ginny Weasley lay cooling on the floor.

Fawkes landed beside him and walked right up to him, nudging his injured arm with a soft head, until Harry let go of it. Fawkes shifted, laying his head over the oozing wound, dropping a few sparse tears onto it. Harry hissed and then gasped, but his mind was clearing already.

“Phoenix tears have the power to heal wounds,” he whispered, awestruck by the majestic bird that looked up at him again with beady black eyes. “Thank you Fawkes,” he said, stretching and twisting his arm to bring the circulation back.

Fawkes hopped over to Ginny, pressing his head against hers for a moment before turning back to Harry.

“I guess you can't fix her, can you?” he said sadly. Fawkes only trilled mournfully, dipping his head in what Harry thought might be grief.

“Yeah, me too,” Harry said with a sigh. “I was too late to save her, too slow. I failed her.” His breath hitched again, but he held back the sob this time. There would be time for mourning later, when he was free of this dank place. First he has to warn everyone else that Riddle was back, and tell her family that Ginny was dead.

Harry had never felt so empty, so much a failure. Nothing had gone right, and it was all his fault. The determination rose up in him stronger than ever before. He would stop Riddle, he would defeat him once and for all, so no more innocent girls would have to die for no reason. So that no one would have to die.

*

July 1997

Draco shot upwards in bed, gasping for air and trying not to hyperventilate. The dreams were so vivid now, so very real, he could taste the sweat and feel the tang of magic in the air.

“Draco?” Harry asked sleepily, pulling himself up to curve around Draco's back, pulling him back down to the bed and spooning him, tucking their bodies close together. He was used to waking up when Draco had another vision, and Draco was becoming used to Harry's visions of Riddle. They were a messed up pair, each as twisted as the other, but somehow, it worked.

“It was terrifying,” Draco said, taking deep breaths to calm himself, trying to control his racing pulse. He had given up trying to keep from talking, Harry always dragged it out of him. “We were in a field, just outside of a copse of trees. There were people everywhere, men in the dark robes, and many members of the Order. I could see them all, but I didn't know who they were. I saw you, I was behind you, holding your hand while you hissed at a monstrous snake, bigger than I've ever seen. Bigger than a person.”

He shuddered with the memory, made all the more real with the knowledge that it would undoubtedly come to pass.

“Shh,” Harry soothed, kissing the back of his neck. “It's alright, you're safe now. Tell me what happened.”

“You, you were talking to the snake in Parseltongue, and suddenly it lunged for you, but you killed it. Just like that, I don't even think you used your wand. You just reached out a hand to stop it and it stopped. The magic was everywhere, filling the air, in my hair, on my tongue. I could feel the power thrumming between us where we were holding hands, and I could taste it on you, even though we weren't touching any other way.”

“Someone called your name then, and you looked up...your eyes were glowing, greener than I'd ever seen them, as if the magic was still coursing through you. It was palpable in the air, Harry. I've never imagined power like that.”

“It does sound terrifying,” Harry agreed. “Where do you think it came from?”

“I don't know,” Draco said, but I do know I couldn't have let go of you if I tried.”

“The feeling's mutual,” Harry said, tipping Draco's head back to give him a soft kiss.

“Have you ever seen a snake that big?” Draco asked.

“No, but Dumbledore says that Riddle has a snake as a servant of sorts, like a pet weapon. He thinks it's a Horcrux too.”

“Oh,” Draco said thoughtfully. “Well, you kill it without any trouble, so I guess that's a good thing.”

“Yeah, I think it is,” Harry said. “Let's talk about it more in the morning, then.”

“Yes,” Draco agreed. “I don't want to think about it just now.”

“Okay. But, since we're up, why don't we take advantage of it?” Harry said, sucking fiercely on the lobe of Draco's ear.

“You're insatiable,” Draco said, twisting to face Harry.

“Is that a problem?”

“Definitely not,” Draco said, pulling Harry close. They sank into each others embrace, giving each other love, comfort and passion and taking it back until they were both sated, then falling into a deep exhausted sleep.

*

Draco had different versions of the 'Harry kills the snake' vision, all of which impressed upon him the awesome power that Harry was using, and convincing him that Harry had not used his wand or uttered an incantation. They were both baffled by the vision; Harry realized that the snake was a Horcrux, as Dumbledore had suspected, but the source of all the power was shocking. He'd never been able to master wandless or nonverbal magic, so that was odd too.

He thought perhaps it was far enough in the future that he'd been able to learn those skills, but Draco insisted that it wasn't. He maintained that since he'd met Harry all the visions had taken on an imminence that he was certain of. Harry couldn't argue that everything had been moving very fast, but he couldn't reconcile that with his sudden power and skill.

They had reached an impasse, neither of them really knowing what to do, but as suddenly as they started, the visions stopped. Draco was able to enjoy almost a week of peaceful sleep before a new vision set in.

This one was easier to comprehend. Draco was alone this time, and while the vision unnerved him because of the lack of Harry, at least he could understand it. He was in the family vault, as if in a memory from his childhood shopping trips with his parents, but he was alone. He was looking through the stacks and shelves for something specific, searching without feeling much hope. Then suddenly there it was, a shiny gold cup, ornate and heavy looking but also quite beautiful.

Draco shot up in bed, as he always had after a vision, shaking with the intensity of it. He felt Harry's hand on his arm, tugging him back down. The constancy of Harry's presence was comforting to him. He took a deep breath, snuggling into Harry's warm body, burying his face between Harry's shoulder and neck to breath in the loveliness of a sleepy Harry.

“What was it tonight,” Harry mumbled. “The snake again?”

Draco shook his head, kissing Harry on the neck before pulling back a bit to speak. “No, it was just me this time, which was odd,” he began. He'd piqued Harry's interest, Harry pulled back as well until their eyes met.

“It was strange not seeing you, but the rest of it was pretty straightforward. I was in our vault, the Malfoy vault, though I've never been there alone before. I was looking for something, and we have a lot of valuables stored there, so it took a while, but then I saw it. This ornate cup, made of gold. I didn't get close enough to see if it had markings, but I was reaching for it when I woke up.”

Draco snuggled closer again, loving the way Harry's arms automatically held him tighter.

“It's the other Horcrux, isn't it? Hufflepuff's cup?”

“Yes, it must be. It's the only one left that we know of, except for the snake,” Harry's voice rumbled into Draco's ears through his chest.

“Good,” Draco replied. “We can get it and be done with it, I can't wait until this burden is lifted from you.”

“I thought you'd be more interested in regaining your freedom,” Harry said quietly.

Draco pulled back again, giving Harry an incredulous look. “But Harry, you've given me my freedom. Now it's yours that concerns me.”

“I may have rescued you from Riddle, but you're trapped here now, aren't you? It may be welcome but it's still just a cage, isn't it?”

“No, it's not,” Draco shook his head. “I thought you knew by now, Harry. I belong with you. What happens to you affects me. I know I could leave this place at any time if I wished, but I stay because I can't bear to be parted from you.”

“Won't you want to go home when this is all over?” Harry's voice was less uncertain, but Draco could still hear his doubts.

“Harry, I am home,” Draco smiled and leaned in to kiss him, silencing any further protests. They usually ended up touching, kissing and caressing each other after one or the other awoke, and Draco did not intend to make this an exception.

*

December 1996

December of Draco's sixteenth year was setting in to be cold and very snowy. It was fitting, he thought, as it matched his mood perfectly. He hadn't seen his parents since May, and there was no sign of seeing them anytime soon. Riddle had been reticent on the subject wherever Draco asked, which he got to do very little of these days.

If Riddle was busy and why was something Draco did not care to speculate on. Their nightly dinners and frequent walks had all but gone, a walk was rare and dinner with Riddle happened maybe once a week. Draco found he could not bemoan the loss, despite his loneliness. The mood in the Manor had changed altogether. The air was tight with tension, the house was filled with loud footsteps and very little laughter, despite the increased frequency of meetings.

Draco was curled up on the window seat, staring out at the magically generated snowy landscape and trying not to cry like a little girl when he heard the door being unlocked. He turned to acknowledge his visitor, expecting Tom Riddle's cold face, so when his mother's grateful face appeared, he leapt from the seat and ran to embrace her.

He didn't care if it was undignified, he threw his arms around his mother and burst into tears. She drew him into the longest, tightest hug he'd ever had, and just held him while he cried all over her lovely robes. After a few moments, she pulled him back, looking into his face and wiping the tears away fro both of them with a handkerchief.

“Oh, my Draco,” she said happily. “How I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too Mum,” he replied, still sniffing away his tears.

“Well, come sit down then, we don't have a lot of time,” she took his hand and led him back to the window seat but instead of looking at the view, Draco had eyes only for his mother.

“Why haven't you come to visit me?” Draco asked, as soon as they were seated. “And where's Father? No one tells me anything around here, not that there's anyone to tell me.”

“I know, love, I know,” Narcissa said, dabbing gently at her nose. “The truth is not so good, I'm afraid.”

Now Draco was worried. He looked closely for the first time and noticed the signs of stress and sorrow that he had missed because he had been so thrilled to see her. Her face was gaunt, and he could see that she had lost some weight. It was not a good thing, as she had always been slight. There were circles of exhaustion under her eyes, and lines of worry on her forehead. Though her hair and makeup were as impeccable as ever, they could not fool Draco.

“What's wrong, Mother?” Draco fell back to a more formal manner of speaking, simply out of habit.

“This spring, your father was sent by Mr. Riddle to retrieve something of great import. Unfortunately, he was thwarted by a group from the Resistance, and he lost the item, and was captured by the Aurors.”

“Aurors!” Draco exclaimed. “He wasn't doing anything illegal, was he? What kind of campaign is Mr. Riddle running anyway?”

“While it wasn't technically illegal, the Aurors have seen fit to make an example of your father, so he has been sent to Azkaban.”

Draco stood up, infuriated. “Azkaban! What did he do Mother?”

“He was caught trespassing in the Department of Mysteries, Draco,” Narcissa replied, holding up a hand to halt Draco's further outburst. “Now Draco, be calm.”

Draco stared at his mother in amazement, but took a few breaths and rejoined her on the window seat.

“What he was sent to retrieve was a prophecy, and while his presence there was not permitted, he had no intentions of stealing the prophecy. He was there with the one the prophecy involved, as you know only the person or people named in the prophecy may pick them up.”

Draco nodded, he had learned all about prophecies during the last year's schooling. He thought it would be fascinating to have a prophecy about himself, but he knew that such a thing would never happen. What could he possibly accomplish locked up in Riddle Manor for years to come?

Narcissa continued. “Unfortunately, before he could gain the orb, he and those with him were ambushed. While their attackers did not get away unscathed, your father was incapacitated and captured.”

“Oh,” Draco said, thinking. It didn't sound so bad after all, more of a misunderstanding than anything. “He won't be in there long, will he?”

“I have our best solicitors working on nothing else,” Narcissa replied, taking Draco's hand in hers once more. “It has been a rather chaotic summer, and I regret not being allowed to visit. However, knowing you were safe from all this made it so much easier to focus on getting your father home. I will not go so long again between visits, and with any luck, your father will be out by the solstice.”

“But, that's months away!” Draco said. “Is there nothing else that can be done?”

“Not at present, love. We are doing everything we can. We are certain to prevail, though the Ministry is doing everything in it's power to keep your father incarcerated. Have no fear, my lovely boy. He will be free soon.”

“If you say so,” Draco said, sniffling again. The thought of his father locked away in a cold cell at Azkaban, with Dementors circling just outside was chilling to the extreme. He shivered in sympathy.

“It is time for me to go now love,” Narcissa stood up, pulling Draco with her. “There is not nearly enough time, but I will return in a few days with some treats for you.”

“Okay,” Draco said, suddenly feeling very small. She was right, it was not nearly enough time. Draco wanted forever, he wanted to go home with her. He blinked back more tears, determined to stay strong. Well, at least until she had left.

“I am so very sorry you are isolated like this Draco, but it really is for your good. I know you don't understand it yet, but the danger to you is very real.”

“What danger?” Draco asked, looking up into his mother's equally moist eyes. “I'm nothing special, I want to know why I have to stay here.”

“You may not feel special, but you are, very much so. You have to be strong, and all will be well.”

“I don't feel that strong Mother, I don't understand.” He was clinging to her hands now, desperate to know why he, of all people, must be locked away, like some kind of dangerous weapon, only to be taken out and used lest he become rusty.

“It will all be explained to you shortly, my love. You are approaching your seventeenth birthday, a time when great things will happen, and your power will reveal itself. All will be explained to you before then.” Narcissa smiled weakly at him, but Draco smiled back anyway, embracing her tightly one last time.

“I will be back soon Draco, I promise,” she said, kissing him gently on the forehead before opening the door and slipping out as silently as she had come in. Draco stood in his place by the door, unable to tear his eyes away until it was locked again. Tears fell unbidden and unnoticed down his face as he said, in a whisper, “Goodbye, Mum.”

*

July 1997

Harry sent a message to Dumbledore as soon as they woke up, but when noon rolled around and they still hadn't heard from him, Harry suggested that they go themselves.

“After all, it's just Gringotts right? It's not dangerous,” Harry insisted, but Hermione did not agree.

“Actually it is, as you know very well, Harry Potter. We don't know who might be a Death Eater, and try to steal Draco back. Or tell Riddle where he is. Or...”

“Yes Hermione, we get your point,” Harry said, interrupting Hermione and dropping his head into his hands. “But we have to do something.”

“Why do we have to do it right now? It's likely the cup will still be there, even if we wait until tomorrow,” she insisted, but Draco shook his head.

“No, I don't think so,” Draco said. “I think we need to go today, as soon as possible.”

“But why?”

“Why do I know anything? I just know,” Draco insisted.

Hermione opened her mouth, but this time Ron stopped her. “I think we should do what Draco says, Hermione,” he said firmly.

The other three stared at Ron as if he had two heads. Yes, he'd been making a concerted to be more polite to Draco, but agreeing with him and siding against Hermione was a whole other matter.

“What?” Ron said, rolling his eyes. “I'm working through it. Besides, he's never been wrong before and I'm sure we all agree that he has some kind of special perception, so I think we should do as he says and go now.”

Hermione was stunned, but Harry and Draco were beaming.

“Thanks Ron,” Harry said. He tucked his arm around Draco's shoulder, kissing him on the cheek before turning back to the other two.

“Okay, this is what we'll do. We'll take the Knight Bus again, it's the easiest way that'll keep us all together, but as soon as we get off, before we go into the Leaky, Draco will put in the Invisibility Cloak. I know it's not terribly safe for me either, but it's nothing new if I'm spotted in Diagon Alley.”

The other three nodded, so he continued. “Right, so we'll go in to Gringotts, and find a dark space for Draco to take off the Cloak. Then I'll go to the vault with him, and you two can wait by the door, to warn us if anyone comes in that we should worry about.”

“How are we going to warn you?” Ron asked, but Hermione already had an answer to that.

“The coins we used for the DA should be perfect for that. I'll have one and Harry will have the other, I can activate it easily and there won't be any reason Harry will have to leave it behind before going to the vaults. It's just a coin."

“Perfect!” Harry exclaimed.

“Let's get going then, I feel like we need to do this now,” Draco said, tugging Harry up from the bench.

“Right, we'll get what we need and leave in five minutes.” They all ran upstairs to prepare, Draco sighing his relief. He'll be happy when this is all over.

The trip was uneventful, and so was getting into Gringotts. Draco didn't have a key, which caused the goblins some annoyance, but his blood and magic was enough to get him into the vault, a system the Malfoys had in place in the event they were unable to claim their keys, so without delay, Harry and Draco were in the cart, pulling up to the Malfoy family vault.

“You may not go in,” the goblin said, pointing at Harry. “There is no key, only a Malfoy may enter.”

“That's fine,” Harry said nonchalantly. The goblin's suspicious glare was unnerving, but he tried not to show it.

“I'll be fine,” Draco said, leaning over to kiss Harry softly before getting out of the cart.

“I know you will,” Harry replied, giving his hand a squeeze before letting him go. Draco moved to stand in front of the door, taking the blade that that the goblin provided and cutting a small slice into his palm. Harry had been warned it was necessary, but it was still hard to watch. Draco placed his palm on the lock, and the door shuddered and drew back, allowing Draco entrance.

He looked back at Harry over his shoulder before turning, taking a deep breath for courage, and entering the vault.

*

Draco was overcome with memories and emotions as he made his way through the vault to the storage area at the back. He remembered coming here many times with his parents, to withdraw some gold before they took him shopping, often to buy him anything he wanted. He had been a spoiled child, he knew that now. He wasn't ashamed to admit it; it didn't make up for the last five years of his life, that was certain. And while he knew that his parents had done nothing to save him from his fate at Riddle's hands, they were still his parents and he loved them. He missed them, more than he'd realized until he had stepped into his past.

He scoured the shelves, looking for that familiar cup. It had to be here somewhere, he was sure that he wasn't too late. It had been close, but it was here. As he scoured the shelves and found nothing like what he was seeking, he was began to doubt, despair creeping in to hamper him. Then he saw it. There, on a high shelf, tucked behind several dark magic tomes, the handle gleaming dully in the dim light of the vault.

He jumped up, just barely tall enough to reach, pushing the books aside until he was able to grasp the handle, pulling it down carefully. It was as heavy as it looked, thrumming with something that made Draco shiver, like a piece of ice had taken up residence in his spine.

He hadn't held it for long before it started to heat up, burning his hand as if it were on fire. He dropped it, yelping in pain, but the burn faded as soon as he let it go. He pondered that while nudging the thing with his shoe, why others could handle the Horcruxes while he could not. Perhaps it had something to do with the incomplete bond between himself and Riddle. He certainly had intent to harm them and, in his studies of various magical bonds, several included the added protection of imposing such a detriment. He was more than able to believe that Riddle had wound such an enchantment into the bond he intended to form with Draco, it was clearly in character for him to do so.

Draco pulled out the velvet bag Harry had given him, turning it inside out and using it as a glove to pick up the cup. They he flipped the bag around it and pulled the tie. He wouldn't have to handle it, and no one would see what it was he carried. He hurried back to the main area of the vault, stopping in front of the piles of galleons that were, at least partly, his. He doubted very much that he'd ever be able to get in again, so he decided to make a second withdrawal.

He filled his pockets with as many galleons as could comfortably fit, before taking one last look around. So many of his favorite childhood memories had begun in this place, and the feeling that he was leaving them behind irrevocably was overwhelming.

But Harry was waiting outside for him, and Draco would not give him up for anything in the world, certainly not a return to a childhood that was cut too short by evil's need for dominance. He turned and walked out, never looking back, even as he closed the door behind him.

Draco rejoined Harry in the cart, taking his hand and nodding at Harry's questioning look. Once the cart was in motion and the goblin's attention was diverted, he handed Harry the bag containing the cup. Harry took it gratefully, giving Draco a kiss of thanks. He let his tongue play over Draco's lips for a few minutes before pulling back. There was far too much at stake for them to lose concentration at such a crucial moment, as tempting as Draco's lips were.

The ride back was quick...it always did seem quicker on the way back, and before they knew it they were departing the cart and thanking the goblin. They held hands as they moved toward the large foyer of the bank, smiling at each other, pleased that their success seemed a certainty. Just as the foyer was coming into view, the coin in Harry's pocket burned hot, causing him to yelp and dig it out to shut it off.

He pushed Draco back against the wall of the corridor, hissing at him, “Put on the Cloak, quick.” Draco did, hanging on to the back of Harry's shirt to let Harry know that he was still there.

“Hang on and keep your eyes open,” Harry said, moving slowly toward the foyer. He spotted Ron and Hermione right away, following their glares across the room to where Lucius Malfoy was talking with a goblin. Draco noticed him at the same time, Harry heard him gasp and felt the resulting tug when Draco stopped moving.

“Come on, hurry,” Harry whispered, but Draco was frozen. Harry cursed under his breath. This was the worst possible time to run into the worst possible person. 'Well,' Harry supposed, 'Tom Riddle would be worse.'

“Well, Mr. Potter,” Lucius Malfoy's voice was smooth and dangerous, as always. Harry felt Draco move closer, pressing himself into Harry's back for some semblance of protection or comfort. “Imagine seeing you here...standing in one spot like an imbecile. I do believe your friends are doing likewise, across the room. I suggest you go join them, before Weasley loses control of himself so close to more gold than he'll ever see in his life.” The sneer on Lucius face was familiar, but Draco's sneer was never so calculating.

“Oh, sod off, Malfoy,” Harry snapped back, reaching his hand behind him a bit to touch Draco, as much reassurance as he was able to give. “Why don't you go crawling back to Riddle, and leave my friends alone.”

“Say what you will Potter, but you are the one who will be on the ground writhing by the time Riddle is done with you.” He flicked his cane in Harry's direction, a not so subtle threat. “Your smart mouth could use some discipline and a well cast Crucio would be just the thing. Beware, Potter, your days are numbered.”

“I could say the same to you, Malfoy. Perhaps if you come to your senses, Dumbledore can keep you out of Azkaban next time.”

Lucius just laughed. “You are very amusing. Your concern for my well being is rather sweet, but my master is in far more control than you realize. If I were you, I would flee for my life.”

Harry scoffed, crossing his arms in defiance. “Well, that's the difference between you and me, Malfoy. I'm not some snivelling Slytherin coward, content to grovel at the feet of a halfblood for scraps.” Lucius' only reaction was an imperious eyebrow lift, but Harry could feel Draco gripping him even tighter, his nails making themselves known, even through Harry's clothing and the Cloak. He also seemed to have regain his ability to move, and he pushed Harry imperceptibly toward the door.

“I will be beat him Malfoy, wait and see.”

“If you say so Potter, now if you'll excuse me, I have much more pressing things to do than to trade amateur barbs with you.” With that he brushed by Harry, knocking into Draco a bit as well. He turned, narrowing his eyes at Harry.

“Just can't keep your eyes off me, can you Malfoy,” Harry sneered.

“Tedious boy,” Lucius muttered, turning and following the impatient goblin toward the carts. Harry headed toward Ron and Hermione. He could feel Draco following closely, both hands gripping Harry's clothes. He gestured for Ron and Hermione to head out ahead of them, opening the door and allowing them to get outside quicker.

They slipped into an alley near the bank, where Draco pulled the Cloak off. “That was close,” he panted. It was quite hot under the Cloak.

“That was very close. If he had caught you in the vault...” Harry trailed off, the horror of the near miss was all too real.

“He would have taken me back,” Draco said, his face pale as a sheet. Harry pulled him close, wrapping him in a tight embrace.

“I would never let him take you,” he said into Draco's neck. “I'd never let him take you away from me.” He pulled back, cupping Draco's chin with one hand, looking deep into his eyes.

“You're mine, do you understand? I'm not letting you go Draco. Not against your will, not ever. I'll protect you no matter what.” He held Draco's gaze until the other boy nodded shakily, blinking back tears.

“Okay,” Draco whispered, so quietly the others could barely hear him, blinking back tears.

“Good,” Harry said, then leaned in and kissed Draco soundly. This time he gave in to the desire to go deeper, opening Draco's mouth with his tongue and claiming it. Draco moaned and melted into it, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck in surrender.

They heard Ron cough, somewhere beside them, but they didn't end it until Hermione spoke up, loudly.

“Boys, we should really get that thing home, don't you think?” They pulled apart reluctantly, Draco's eyes were still a bit wet, but he looked more confident.

“Yeah, we should. Draco put the Cloak back on, just in case we run in to him again, or someone else is around.” Draco nodded agreement, wrapping the Cloak around himself again, and getting a good grip on Harry's shirt. They made their escape as quickly as possible, not stopping to board the Knight Bus until they were a few blocks away from the pub. They were not in the mood to take any chances, especially not with the Horcrux in their possession.

*

August 1992

Draco was browsing the upper level of Flourish and Blott's, waiting for his father to return. He hadn't found any interesting books to buy however, what he really wanted was a 'Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle' comic, but his father would never go for that. Instead he was browsing the potions manuals, as he'd always loved potions. All the combinations and reactions intrigued him.

“Don't I know you?” a voice asked, and Draco turned to see who had spoken. In front of him was the boy he'd met last year while getting fitted for robes, his hair still disheveled, his clothes still far, far too big for him. Draco couldn't help but turn his lip up at the boy's appearance. He was a mess, but Draco had enjoyed talking with him last year, something about him was compelling. He reminded Draco of someone, but he couldn't place him.

“We met last year, I believe,” Draco replied. “I'm Draco.”

“I'm Harry,” the boy replied, grinning at him. “It's nice to see you again.”

“Yes,” Draco said, replacing the book he was looking at on the shelf.

“How did you like...sorry, what was the name of the school you go to?”

“Durmstrang,” Draco replied. “It's pretty amazing. Really cold, but it's challenging. How did you like Hogwarts?”

“Brilliant,” Harry replied, smiling widely. “And challenging pretty much sums it up.”

“That's good,” Draco said.

“It's too bad we don't go to the same school,” Harry said. “It's always nice to have another friend.” Something inside Draco tightened when he thought about being at Hogwarts with Harry, seeing him everyday and going to classes together. He'd made some friends at Durmstrang, but somehow he knew, if he'd gone to Hogwarts, he and Harry would have been great friends.

“True.”

“Draco,” a distinguished looking man called up the stairs. “It's time to go, this place is filling up with...vermin.”

“Coming, Father.” Draco smiled at Harry. “I have to go, it was nice to see you again.”

“You too,” Harry replied. “Have a good year.”

“Thanks.”

Draco went down the stairs, where his father was talking with a redheaded man surrounded by redheaded children. There was so many of them that their faces were a blur, but he did noticed that their clothes were covered in soot. The redheaded man did not look pleased, nor did his children. As Draco wondered why his father was talking to them, his father dropped a book into the little girl's cauldron and, with a sneer, strode past them. Draco followed him, barely glancing at the ginger brood. Father said that redheads were common, so clearly they were not worth his notice.

*

July 1997

The Knight Bus was empty except for them but they still sat in the back of the top level, just in case. Draco was happy to be out of the Cloak again, and if he'd sat any closer to Harry, he's be in his lap. Harry didn't mind though, he wrapped his arm around Draco, kissing him softly again.

Ron snorted and Hermione giggled, so they broke apart, blushing.

“You two have gotten pretty close, then?” Hermione asked. “I think it's sweet,” she gave them a big smile.

“We're men, it's not sweet,” Harry said, mildly affronted. But that just made Hermione giggle and Ron laugh again. They lapsed into a comfortable silence, though Draco's smile fled as he began to think about his father, which made him think about his mother.

“Are you okay?” Harry asked, rubbing Draco's shoulder.

“I don't know,” Draco said, laying his head on Harry's shoulder, accepting the comfort.

“I'm sorry you had to see that,” Harry said. “Your father and I don't get on very well.”

“So I heard,” Draco said grimly. He sighed deeply. “Until just then, I couldn't really believe that he could be like that. But I've thought about it a bit, and I've realized that there's a lot I don't know about him.”

“Oh yeah?” Harry said, encouraging him to say more.

“Yeah. When Riddle told me about the bond he was intending and a bit about the powers he wanted, I figured out that my father was complicit in the whole thing. He let Riddle take me, he didn't try to run, or rescue me or anything.”

Harry kept rubbing his shoulder, dropping a kiss onto Draco's head.

“I mean, I know he loves me, but either he's too much of a coward to stand up for me, or he cares more about Riddle than me. I don't know which is worse, honestly.” Draco sniffed a little, trying to keep the sudden tears from overflowing. He didn't want to cry at all, it was such a girly babyish thing to do, and he really didn't want to do it in front of Ron and Hermione. He did have some dignity.

“I'm sorry,” Harry said again, bringing Draco's face up with his free hand and kissing him softly.

“Thank you.” Draco kissed him back, then laid his head down again, letting Harry's presence soothe him. They spent the rest of the ride in silence, for which Draco was grateful.

When they got home, Dumbledore was waiting for them. They handed the cup right over, Harry was glad to not have the responsibility of it anymore, and he was thinking about Draco. When Dumbledore left, he took Draco's hand and led him up to their room, gathered up some clean clothes and ran him a bath.

“What's all this?” Draco asked, dipping his fingers into the warm, fragrant water.

“I thought you could use the relaxation. I'm going to have a shower upstairs, but I'll be in the room when you're done. Then we can have tea in bed and spend the afternoon together, just us.” Harry smiled at him encouragingly, running his arms before pulling his hands up and kissing his palms.

“It sounds lovely,” Draco said. “Thank you Harry.”

“You're welcome love,” Harry said, kissing him softly. “I'll be in the room when you're ready, okay?”

“Okay.”

Harry left him in the bathroom, dashing around to shower quickly, dress, and put together a tea tray for the two of them. He carried it up to the room and set it on the bedside table, making sure he had some clean cloths nearby. An afternoon spent in bed would inevitably turn to sex, and Harry wanted to be prepared. He had a feeling that Draco would be needing the connection after their near miss with Lucius earlier.

Once Harry was ready, he settled down on the bed to wait, but he didn't have to wait for long. Draco came in a few minutes later, looking fresh and well scrubbed, but his eyes were still sad. Harry longed to chase the melancholy away.

“Harry, you didn't have to do this,” Draco said as he crawled up onto the bed beside Harry.

“Yes, I did,” Harry replied. “You're feeling down about your dad, and I know you're missing your mum too, so I thought I could try and cheer you up. Or at least make you look less like someone kicked your puppy.”

Draco smiled at him, not the bright smile Harry loved best, but a smile nonetheless. “You're the best boyfriend ever,” Draco said, kissing Harry before reaching over and snagging a biscuit.

“You've had a few boyfriends then?” Harry teased, pulling a lock of Draco's hair. Draco swatted his hand away.

“Just the one, unfortunately,” Draco replied dryly, lucking the crumbs off his lips. Harry felt his cock filling already. Just having Draco in the bed with him was turning him on.

“Oh? You wanna trade me in for a newer model?” Harry grinned.

“Not yet,” Draco teased back. “I haven't even taken you for a test fly yet.” He grabbed another biscuit, mesmerizing Harry as he licked his lips, chewed, swallowed and licked his lips some more.

“Come here,” Harry said in a low voice, tugging Draco down with one hand on his neck. The other hand slipped under Draco's shirt, Harry loved the feel of his skin when it was soft from the bath. It was soft all the time, but this kind of soft was Harry's favorite.

Draco responded to the kiss immediately, moving to lay beside Harry and wrapping his arms around him and tugging until Harry rolled over on top of him. He loved the feeling of Harry on him, his weight bearing Draco down to the bed. It felt safe, secure, he was surrounded by Harry and nothing could take him away. After the isolation of the last few years, it was the most amazing thing Draco had ever felt. He wanted more.

They kept kissing, breaking apart now and then to suck on each others necks, both of them delving under clothing with questing hands. Soon they were both naked and hard, lying flush on their sides and just letting their hands explore as their tongues played, pushing to and fro, tasting and feeling their way around each others mouths.

Harry's hand soon found a firm grip around Draco's cock, pulling on it for a few moments before lining it up with his own. He tried to wank them together, but his hand wasn't quite big enough. Draco didn't mind, it still felt amazing. But he was reaching the height too soon, Harry was drawing his climax out before Draco was ready to let go, so he pulled back, breaking the kiss with a gasp and moving Harry's hand away.

“Draco?” Harry looked at him in confusion. Draco groaned and almost let him continue. Harry's pupils were blown, his lips red and wet, his cheeks heavy with the flush of arousal. He looked good enough to eat and oh, how Draco wanted to. But there was something else he wanted more.

“Harry, I want...if you want, I mean, you don't have to,” Draco struggled to find the words without sounding crude or needy.

“What is it, love?” Harry asked, letting his hand wander up Draco's back and arm.

“I...want you inside me,” Draco whispered so softly that Harry almost didn't hear him.

Harry's hand stopped moving. Had he heard it correctly? “You want, uh...you want me to...” He gestured, also unable to put it into words, but fortunately for him, Draco found some.

“Make love to me Harry,” he said simply.

“Umm, okay,” Harry said. “I don't really know what to do, I mean, I have an idea, but I've never...”

“I do,” Draco interrupted, pushing Harry back and leaning over him so he could dig into the drawer beside the bed. Harry let his hands wander over Draco's naked bum, squeezing and dipping between the cheeks, as he accustomed himself to the fact that he was going to be allowed to put his cock there, very soon. It was amazing, he could hardly believe that Draco would allow it.

Clearly Draco had no qualms about it, though. He pulled back, handing Harry a book and putting a tube of lotion in the bed beside him.

“What's this?” Harry asked, picking up the book and reading the title. “Oh,” he said, when he was done.

“Yeah,” Draco said, moving to sit cross legged by Harry's side. “I found it in the library a couple weeks ago and stashed it away. I thought it would be useful.”

Harry flipped through a few pages, unsure of where to start. Fortunately, Draco had thought of that too.

“Here, I've marked the page we need.” He flipped it open and gave it back to Harry, then sat back to let him read it. He wasn't very good at waiting, but somehow he survived until Harry was done, though he was vibrating with excitement.

Harry put the book down, and held up his hand, wiggling his fingers. “So I have to put...up there?”

“Yeah,” Draco said. “Is that okay?”

“I guess,” Harry looked doubtful. “Is it really going to feel good?”

“The book says so,” Draco replied. “And people wouldn't do it if it didn't, so...”

“Yeah, I suppose,” Harry said. “Alright well, how do you want to...” He made an awkward gesture.

“Umm, hands and knees for this part, I think,” Draco said, shoving Harry out of the way so he could assume the position. Harry crawled around behind him, taking the lotion with him.

“Oh, wait,” he said, getting off the bed to rummage around for his wand. He picked it up and waved it at the door, incanting, “Silencio.”

“Maybe a cleaning charm too,” Draco suggested, waving behind himself. “Just in case?”

Harry agreed. “That's a good idea,” he said, and then performed the charm. Draco gave a little squeak, but settled quickly.

“Okay, let's see,” Harry moved behind Draco again, reaching out and running his hands over Draco's buttocks and up his back. He pulled the cheeks apart, peering between them at Draco's hole. It was tiny, a dusty color that was dark against the paleness of his skin. Harry shook his head, very sceptical.

“Are you sure it's going to fit?” He looked down at his penis, only half hard now, but it still looked far too large for the task. He would like to flatter himself, but he knew he wasn't that big...seven or eight inches if he was lucky, a fair size.

“I'm sure,” Draco's reply was muffled by his pillow. “You just need to loosen me up a bit.”

“Okay,” Harry said, still doubtful. He squeezed Draco's arse again. It really was a fine arse, the skin was soft and unblemished and the muscles were firm. Draco was very responsive, as always, twitching when Harry pushed them apart again, stroking the soft skin inside them with his thumbs.

Despite his doubts, Harry was getting hard again. He wasn't sure if it could work, but the thought of burying himself inside Draco was intoxicating. He reached for the lotion and squirted some onto his fingers, working it in to warm it up a bit before separating Draco's cheeks with his remaining hand.

He slid the first finger in, meeting very little resistance before being sucked into a hot, tight grip. Draco's muscles twitched, causing Harry to moan at the sensation. His cock was almost fully hard again, the grip that Draco's hole had on his finger was doing strange things to his self control. He suddenly realized why people wanted to do this. He couldn't see what was in it for Draco, but he wanted it so Harry wasn't about to stop now.

He moved the finger in and out a few times, trying to stretch Draco out a bit and make it easier to get the second finger in. Draco twitched a few times, but did not protest. Once he had loosened the hole a bit, he pulled his finger out and put a bit more lotion on.

“Is this okay?” he asked, as he slid two fingers in. Draco hissed a bit, but relaxed quickly.

“Yes,” Draco said. “It feels...odd, but I like it.”

“Alright,” Harry said, twisting his fingers around again. Suddenly Draco gasped, arching back into Harry's hand.

“What?” Harry said, alarmed. He stopped his movements to let Draco adjust, but the vice grip on his fingers was making his cock throb.

“Right there, you...don't stop,” Draco pleaded, pushing back again.

“Okay,” Harry said, twisting his fingers again, noting that when he rubbed across a particular spot inside Draco, he gasped and twitched some more. Harry pulled his fingers out, putting just one inside again, so he could better feel around for it. He found it without trouble and began rubbing it as best he could, soaking up Draco's increasingly frantic reactions.

“You like that,” he told Draco, rubbing harder, squeezing Draco's arse with the other hand.

“Yes!” Draco yelled, twisting his hips and pushing back at Harry. “You...it's, you'd better stop.”

“Stop?” Harry questioned, pushing hard against the spot and holding it, grinning like a loon at Draco's yowl in response. “You want me to stop?”

“Please,” Draco begged. “I want to come with you inside me," he said, pulling forward, away from Harry's torturous finger.

“If you insist.” Harry pulled his finger out, dripping on some more lotion onto his fingers before sliding three of them in. It was smooth and easy now, Draco was quite relaxed and he'd been well stretched by Harry's experimenting. He took three fingers with a moan and began pushing back again.

“Harry, I'm ready, I'm...” His body was trembling now, and Harry was well ready, his cock throbbing in urgency, straining up toward its goal. He wasted no time in pulling his fingers out, picking up the lotion again and slicking his cock generously.

“How do you want me to do this?” Harry asked, rubbing Draco with one finger, mesmerized by the way the pucker twitched when he ran the tip over the loosened hole.

“Uh, me on top, come sit up here,” Draco said, moving out of he way so Harry could crawl to the top of the bed. He turned around and sat on the pillow, tucking the other one behind his back and leaning against the headboard.

“I think I like this,” Harry said as Draco moved to straddle him, his cock rubbing precome onto Harry's belly.

“Me too,” Draco said. “I can control it better, but I can still kiss you.”

“Yeah,” Harry agreed. “And you get to do all the work.”

“Lazy,” Draco said, but the word lacked conviction. He rocked back and forth a bit, rubbing Harry's cock between his arse cheeks, slicking up the crease and making Harry moan and clutch at his hips.

“Draco, don't be a tease,” he gasped out, trying to still Draco's movements.

“Takes one to know one,” Draco said. “Hold onto yourself.” Harry obeyed, gripping the base of his cock with one hand while Draco positioned his loosened hole over it, rubbing back and forth a bit more, before sinking onto the tip.

He hissed, the intrusion burning a bit, but it didn't deter him.

“God, Draco,” Harry gasped, letting go of his cock and holding Draco's hips again, his fingers digging in, holding on for his sanity. He threw his head back and that's when he noticed the sparkle in the air around them.

“What's that?” he asked Draco, sweat beading on his forehead as he tried to maintain his concentration.

“What's what?” Draco said, not looking up, but pushing down harder, taking Harry inside in a smooth slide, not stopping until he was fully seated, his balls resting against Harry's.

“That,” Harry said when he could suck some air in, the tight, soft heat of Draco's body making it almost impossible for him to speak. He panted, trying to calm down so that he didn't come before they even got started.

Draco lifted his head, freezing at the sight that greeted him. The sparkle in the air had turned into a shimmer, clouding the features of the room as it swirled around them. Draco shifted a bit, making Harry moan and thrust up, forgetting the shimmering as Draco's muscles twitched around them.

“Harry,” Draco pleaded, shifting again as Harry began to thrust slowly. They both forgot about the strange magic working around them as the sensations heightened. Harry began to thrust upward as Draco rocked back and forth, stopping and starting a few times until they found a mutual rhythm. Once they found it they began to move faster, Harry's hands on Draco's hips were guiding him up and down in time with Harry's upward thrusts.

Draco clenched his hands in Harry's hair, hanging on to his broad shoulders for balance as he bounced on Harry's cock, gasping and panting as the pressure built both inside and out. Both boys were beyond noticing that the shimmering had become a cloud with them in the center, outlining them as if the sun were behind them, it's brilliance filling the room as they continued moving toward completion.

“Harry, I can't, I...” Draco stammered as he felt the pleasure rise up inside him, Harry's thrusts were hitting his prostate regularly, his cock filling Draco up the way he'd imagined it would. It felt even better than he'd thought, nothing could have prepared him for this.

Harry was close as well. Draco's channel was tightening around him, his entire body shuddering with the force of his pleasure. Harry realized that his was doing the same.

“Draco, please, please, I need it,” he begged, unsure of what he needed so bad until Draco provided it by pushing down harder, faster, his fingers making bruises across Harry's shoulder's that matched the ones Harry was making on his hips.

The peak came fast, with Draco spurting hot onto Harry's chest, squeezing Harry's climax out of him as his hole gripped Harry's cock ever tighter. They moaned together as the result of their love making was caught between them, Draco's on their chests and bellies, while Harry's release slickened the passage between them further.

Draco's movements stopped as they shivered in the aftermath, Harry's hands slipping from their grip of Draco's hips to wrap around his sweaty body, holding him close even as Draco's arms clung to his neck and shoulders. Both boys noticed it at the same time, the shimmering cloud surrounding them seemed to attach itself to them, sealing them in a cocoon of warmth, pleasure and love before dissipating, absorbing itself into their bodies.

Sleep overcame them swiftly, whether it was a result of their exertions or the magic that had overtaken then, neither had time to ponder. Harry slid into a prone position, taking Draco with him, pulling him to the side and positioning them both comfortably. He shivered as the cooling sweat on his body evaporated, and he reached for the blanket.

He was too far gone to notice that it leapt off the floor and into his hand, settling itself over them both as he slipped into a much needed slumber.

*

Harry woke up with a rather painful crick in his neck. He was slumped over, his head pressed against the head board with Draco pressed on his side, half on top of him. That part was comfortable, but the angle his head was in was much less so. He tried to clear his fuzzy head and remember what had got him in this position. It didn't take long to figure it out as the skin on his chest was tight and itchy. It was also flaky, as he discovered when he scratched it. Draco was wrapped around him like a leech, and Harry could see the flakes on his belly as well. It all came rushing back to him then, the vivid sensations of being inside Draco, of holding him, kissing him, the smooth slide of their bodies together and the bliss of the climax.

He remembered the shimmering magic that had settled on them, and how they'd all but passed out immediately after they'd absorbed it. He thought that perhaps it should worry him, but instead he felt more contented and peaceful than he ever had before. Except for the crick in his neck, that is.

He shuffled down a bit, moving Draco slightly as he went. Draco snuffled against his shoulder, his arm tightening across Harry's chest as he resettled. Harry sighed, laying in the peace and dozing off for a while. There was no need to get up, they had accomplished their last task and, for now, could enjoy some much needed relaxation.

When he woke again, Draco had rolled over onto his side and Harry was spooned around his back. He realized that he'd need to pee soon, but his erect cock sliding between Draco's cheeks was much more pressing. He rubbed harder, flexing his hips and sliding back and forth, moaning with the added tension against his inflamed cock. There was still some wetness left there from the night before, though it was sticky rather than slick. Harry wondered if Draco would be up for another round and, as if he's wished it so, Draco spoke up.

“Gonna fuck me again, Harry?” His voice was gravelly from sleep, and Harry's cock throbbed further and the sound of it.

“If you're up for it,” he replied, sliding a hand down Draco's chest and finding that his cock was erect as well. “Oh look, it seems like you are.”

Draco chuckled. “I really am,” he said, rolling onto his stomach, pushing his cock against the bed and opening his legs for Harry to slide between. “I'm willing if you are.”

“Oh, I am very willing,” Harry said, shifting so he was kneeling behind Draco. He pulled Draco's cheeks apart, peering in like he had the night before. He was pleased to see that the hole was still somewhat loosened and ready to take him.

“Where's the lotion?” He asked, glancing around the bed and the floor for the misplaced tube.

“I don't know,” Draco said impatiently. “You had it last night.”

Harry sighed. He had no recollection of where he had tossed it the night before, he had been more than a bit distracted at the time. He looked around for his wand and spotted it all the way across the room.

“Damn,” he muttered, then grumbled, “Accio lotion.” To his shock the tube came flying up from under a discarded pillow and right into his hand. He sat there stunned, looking down at the tube in his hand before glancing again at his wand across the room. He wasn't sure what to do or think. He'd never been able to do anything wandlessly before. He suddenly remembered Draco's vision of him killing the snake, of his inexplicable power. He was about to ask Draco about it when he was interrupted.

“Are you taking a nap back there, or are you going to fuck me, already?” Draco asked, wiggling his arse temptingly at Harry.

“Oh no, I'm going to fuck you right now,” he said, putting the strange magic out of his mind. There were more important things to focus on.

“Well, hurry up, I don't have all day,” Draco wiggled again, so Harry smacked his arse.

“Hey!” Draco exclaimed. “We can get to the kinky stuff later, just get on with it.”

Harry opened the tube and slicked his cock thoroughly. “What do you know about kinky stuff?” He lined up carefully, sliding the slick tip of his cock between Draco's cheeks to ease the slide.

“That book is very comprehensive,” Draco replied, muffled by the pillow.

“I bet it is,” Harry said, distracting Draco from commenting further by pushing inside, groaning at the feel of hot, tight, soft and slick. “Uhhn, so good,” he said, rotating his hips.

“Mmm, finally,” Draco said, pushing back against Harry. Harry began thrusting smoothly, bracing himself with his hands on Draco's shoulders which made Draco push his arse up further, changing Harry's position so that he was rubbing against Draco's prostate with every slide.

“Oh, right there, Harry, don't...don't stop, please, don't stop,” Draco moaned, muffled by the pillow.

“Never, wanna, stop,” Harry said, gasping out a word with every thrust. He picked up the pace, pushing harder and faster the more Draco moaned and squirmed under him, until he was coming hard into Draco's arse. He slowed down, but Draco cried out in protest, so he picked it up again.

Draco came shortly after, gripping the pillow his face was buried in as if it was the only thing keeping him anchored to the bed. It was good timing, as Harry was softening and beginning to feel very sensitive, his arms trembling with the strain of holding his body up. He pulled out with a grunt, rolling over onto his back, exhausted. Draco didn't move at all, just laying boneless and panting into the pillow.

It wasn't long until he sat up, looking down at himself and the bed in disgust. “Ugh, I'm disgusting.”

Harry looked over at him, running a hand down Draco's sticky chest. “No. You are filthy, but disgusting you are not,” he said with a leer, waggling his brows.

“Don't even start with me,” Draco said, smacking Harry on the hip. “There's no way I'm letting you shag me again.”

“You say that now, but tonight you'll be begging for it again,” Harry said, grinning his most charming grin.

“In your dreams,” Draco said, but he burst out laughing before long. “Fine, so I will, but we're getting cleaned up now.”

“What? You turn me down and then expect me to jump when you want a quick Scourgify?”

The argument was stopped cold when the tingle of a powerful cleaning charm washed over them. They looked down at themselves and the sheets, in shock when they saw it was clean. The sheets were pristine, as if they had not had two rounds of sweaty sex atop them, and their bodies were freshly scrubbed as if they'd just stepped out of the shower.

Their eyes met, wide with disbelief. “Did you just,” Draco began, and Harry nodded.

“Yeah, and that's not all. I accioed the lotion earlier, without my wand.”

“What do you mean, were you trying to?”

Harry shook his head. “No, I just mumbled the charm, annoyed that my wand was across the room, and the tube leapt into my hand.”

“Just like that?” Draco asked.

“Just like that.”

“But, what does this mean?”

Harry looked thoughtful and again he had a vision of last night's events flash through his mind. “You remember last night, when we were... almost done?”

“Yeah,” Draco said, his brow furrowed. “It was like a shimmery cloud, and it settled into it us when we came.”

“I think it did something to us,” Harry said, looking worried.

“I think it was just you, I don't feel any different,” Draco replied.

“Neither do I, except that my magic has been...” He trailed off, looking Draco right in the eye. Draco caught on really quick.

“Very powerful, wandless magic,” he said in a near whisper. “Harry.”

“I know,” Harry said, sitting up and taking Draco's hand. “Just like your vision.”

“Yes.”

They sat in silence, letting it sink in, until Harry coughed and flushed.

“I think we, uh...we need to tell Dumbledore about this,” he said, averting his eyes from Draco's.

“Oh,” Draco thought about that for a moment. ”I suppose we do. But, we don't have to tell him about all of it, do we?”

Harry flushed deeper. “I think we do. He'll want to know, and it might be important. Besides, he'll know right away that we're holding back, and he'll make us tell.”

“Okay,” Draco said. “But you can do the talking.”

“Fair enough,” Harry said, nodding.

“Good.”

“Right then, let's send a message. The sooner we talk to him, the sooner we get it over with and we can start dealing with it,” Harry said, standing up and rummaging for his clothes.

“Alright,” Draco agreed reluctantly, following Harry's lead. It was going to be an interesting conversation, that was certain.

*


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