Take me Home

Chap. 22 - Of Kisses and Goodbyes (part 02)

James smiled as he observed his two best friends from afar. Sirius' happy behaviour reminded him of the shiny prankster his friend once was. James was reminded of their Hogwarts days when Sirius looked naughtily at him and winked as he put an arm around Remus.

Remus looked down shyly, but couldn't quite hide a grin. Although he still looked fragile, James noticed a big difference in Remus' mood. The quietest of the Marauders radiated more confidence in the way he held himself and asserted his opinions. He didn't look as depressed and defeated as he had been after Alex' death. Remus was actually smiling without the sadness that frequently haunted his eyes.

Though Sirius and Remus hadn't said anything to confirm their status as a couple, James knew from the glances and touches they shared that they were together. Even Lucius had noticed the change in them by saying aloud when he caught Sirius provoking Remus, "Oh, please! Find a bloody room!"

Remus had flushed fiercely while Sirius had smirked at Lucius. And whatever Sirius had wanted to say in return was stifled by Remus' hand on his mouth.

Thus, James knew his friends were all right. What worried him now was Harry.

His son seemed to be in deep thought most of the time, lost in a world of his own. Harry constantly looked distracted and his green eyes had lost their usual sparkle. No matter how many times James asked him about it, though, Harry would always smile feebly at him and tell him he had nothing to worry about. That alone preoccupied James and made him think twice before going to Transylvania. But the preparations were all set and he could only imagine how furious Lucius would be if James decided to stay behind after almost throwing a fit about being allowed to go. Besides, hadn't Harry himself had begged for James to go?

He felt uneasy, but even so, James bade Sirius and Remus farewell.

He then turned to Harry with his heart in his mouth. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" His fatherly instinct was strongly advising him that Harry needed him. Just one word and James would abandon his mission to stay with his son.

Harry's expression was impossible to read, though, when he answered, "You were the one who wanted to go in the first place."

James made a face. "Well, yes, but you come first. If you want me to stay, then I'll stay."

Harry seemed to get a little upset. "Why? I'm okay. I'm not a child, you know? I can take care of myself."

"Harry... I'm new at this, but... something tells me you are hiding something from me. Are you really okay?"

Harry sighed. "I'm all right. I told you that already. You know it's been difficult for me. I'll be much better when you come back with the blue rose."

James didn't seem so convinced. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Harry smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I want this to be over soon, that's all."

James caressed his son's head and then hugged him. Harry seemed to find the situation a little awkward as Lucius stared at them with a smirk. After a while, though, Harry's body relaxed in James' arms. James felt Harry tremble slightly and rubbed his back comfortingly. They held each other for a long time. Slowly, they parted and James looked into Harry's eyes and said, "If you need me, just call. I'll come back in the blink of an eye. Promise me, Harry. You'll share your fears with me, and let me help you if you find yourself in need. Okay?"

"I will," Harry said softly, staring at his feet. "Just come back with a solution, please."

James nodded. In that short sentence he understood that the name behind Harry's problem was Draco. James knew Harry was still seeing the other boy when he thought nobody was looking. James's instincts had told him to stop those visits, but Lucius had convinced him to let the boys be. Now James wondered if they had done the right thing. But it was too late to worry about that. The only thing to do was to find the blue rose and bring it to Hogwarts.

It was his duty as a father to help Harry. James would do his best to find a solution to Draco's problem. He hugged Harry one last time trying to ignore the pang in his heart, and then entered the waiting carriage. Lucius was already inside tapping his foot on the floor impatiently. Lucius' expression softened when his eyes met his lover's troubled ones. They stared at each other understandingly.

"Just focus on the task ahead. Soon this nightmare will be over," Lucius said, trying to offer James comfort.

James sighed tiredly as he leaned his head on the back of the satin seat and looked through the small window. "Will this ever be over? Things have always been messy as far as I can remember. It looks like no matter how much we try, nothing changes!"

"Things certainly change," Lucius assured him with a conviction that it surprised James. "Draco had the courage to defy everything to be with your son. He even thought of sacrificing himself to save Harry. Your best friend escaped prison and proved his innocence. Now he almost looks like a decent person. And we... well, look at us. I could never, in my wildest dreams, imagine that we would end up together like this. Perhaps there's still a lot to be done, but don't say that things haven't changed. It's an insult to everything we've experienced until now."

James stared at him, deeply shocked and moved by his words. Lucius frowned and asked defensively, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

James shook his head. "On the contrary. You're totally right. I never thought you had it in you."

"That I had what?" Lucius hissed, returning to his unpleasant self.

James chuckled. "Nothing."

He was amazed by the changes in Lucius' character. Day by day, Lucius showed him a new side of himself that James hadn't known existed. Most of the time those changes were subtle, but sometimes they were so apparent that they stunned James and caught him by surprise. The funny thing was that Lucius didn't seem to notice those lapses. They just came out of him naturally. "We won't come back empty handed, right?"

Lucius looked at him decisively. "Of course not."

Severus entered the carriage just then, breaking their intense gaze. He carried a big straw basket and looked distressed. His scowl amused Lucius.

"Don't even start, Lucius," Severus warned him with a grimace.

Lucius sneered. "I haven't said anything. If you keep looking so defensive, then I will definitely feel tempted to bully you."

Severus groaned under his breath. James looked at them, puzzled and a little irritated for not understanding the joke. Noticing his confusion, Lucius explained, "Look at his basket. It's the perfect symbol of love. I bet Erin filled it with food for our journey. Am I wrong, Severus? Who would have thought that grumpy Severus Snape would ever live such a normal, boring, married life?"

Severus made a face. "You're partially right, Lucius. Erin did fill this with food, but she also put other things in it..." Severus pulled off the striped cloth covering the basket and unveiled dozens of wooden stakes and small vials of potions next to meat pies, Butterbeers, chocolate bars, and fruit. "As you can see, my wife likes to take care of every little detail. And by the way, there's nothing boring about our marriage."

Lucius snorted. "It doesn't change the fact that seeing you married is weird and therefore funny."

"What kind of logic is that? You sound like a spoiled brat," Severus mocked.

"They say one should never forget their inner child," Lucius mocked back.

James rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me I'll have to listen to you two the entire journey..."

"I plan to sleep the whole way, Potter," Severus said. "I certainly don't want to spend the rest of the journey looking at you and Lucius. It won't do my stomach any good."

"Now, you...!" James grunted, clenching his fist.

Lucius held James on his seat. "Who's behaving like a child now?" he said, staring at James reprovingly.

James raised an eyebrow in Lucius' direction. "Look who's talking."

"But you're the Gryffindor here, James," said Lucius, with phoney seriousness. "You should set the example."

Severus smirked. "Don't joke around, Lucius. We all know what kind of example Potter and his crew used to set in the past."

"Indeed," Lucius agreed, returning the smirk.

James groaned and crossed his arms, irritated. "Great! Here I am, stuck with two of the most obnoxious people I've ever met. Please, give me a sleeping draught. I don't want to kill myself before we reach our destination."

"Oh, come on, James. Don't take it so personally," Lucius said with a playful smile. "You're so easy to tease."

"Yes, Potter. You're so easy," Severus smirked.

"Shut up, Snivellus," James grunted.

Severus fumed at the mention of the horrifying teenage nickname invented by the Marauders. He glared at James murderously, hoping he would drop dead on the spot. "So, Potter, who's the girl in your relationship with Lucius? My bets are on you," Severus said to provoke James.

"Hey!" James exclaimed, furious.

"Now, Severus, that was just low. I thought you were classier than that," Lucius said. "Besides, it's rather obvious that Potter is the girl."

James shot an evil glare at Lucius, one that said his lover would deeply regret that stupid joke. "Let's see how funny it is when you look for me in bed and end up with your face disfigured," James said, upset.

Severus covered his ears, irritated. "I don't want to hear about that! Please, stupefy me."

"With pleasure!" James exclaimed, pointing his wand at Severus.

Lucius lowered James' hand and declared, "All right! I'll admit it wasn't funny. I'm sorry. Let's just shake hands and call a truce."

"You started this! How do you manage to be so lovely and then act like a total jerk right afterwards?" James asked.

Lucius shrugged. "I can't help it. This is the way I am. The words come out before I can stop them."

"Well, learn to face the consequences then. Maybe next time you'll be able to hold your poisonous tongue," James said, his face red from anger and a little hurt. Lucius sighed, annoyed, and then pulled James closer and kissed him. James tried to struggle at first, but as always, he surrendered in the end.

"You're such an idiot," James muttered, breaking their kiss.

"But you love me even so, don't you?" Lucius teased.

Slumping in his seat, Severus made a face and wondered if he should stupefy himself. "And I'm the one who's changed... You're a whole different person, Lucius. This is going to be a very - long - trip," Severus muttered.

-----------------------------

Sitting comfortably on the sofa of the Gryffindor common room and staring at the fireplace as if she were hypnotised, Hermione sighed for the sixth time that afternoon. She couldn't dismiss the thought that something was wrong with Harry. Ron had tried to convince her otherwise, but she just couldn't forget Harry's strange expression as he said goodbye to his father in the morning.

She was absolutely certain that Draco was the person behind Harry's distress. She knew Harry had been meeting Draco on the sly. Hermione had backed up those encounters. She wondered if she had done the right thing. Draco wasn't what he used to be. She had hoped that Harry would influence Draco in a positive way, but it seemed that the opposite was happening. Harry was the one being influenced by Draco.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" asked Ron, sitting by her side and putting his arms around her waist. "You're frowning."

"Oh?" she said, making a face. "I'm thinking about Harry. You really don't think he's acting strange?"

Ron shook his head. "No. I mean it's obvious that he's worried about something, but we already know what that something is. To be honest with you, I don't like it. But what can we do? It's his life. You know how stubborn he is."

"But don't you think we should interfere? Friends help each other out. If we see something wrong, isn't it our duty as friends to open his eyes?" she asked.

"I don't know. I guess. But you know Harry. Do you think that anything you have to say will make a difference? Do you think you can convince him to stop seeing Malfoy?"

Hermione sighed and slowly shook her head. "No. Harry is blinded by love. He won't listen to us. But still... I'm worried, Ron. Draco wouldn't want Harry to get hurt. We shouldn't have encouraged Harry to meet Draco... Perhaps there are some things that love alone cannot resolve."

Ron held Hermione tightly and kissed the top of her head. "Let's have faith. If things get out of control, then we'll intervene. If Malfoy hurts Harry, I will personally beat him up."

"What if we're too late?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"We won't be. If it makes you feel better, we can spy on Harry from now on, you know, like make sure he isn't doing anything crazy," Ron answered

Her expression lit up. "Yes, that's a good idea! We'll just... play guardian angels. We'll let him do what he wants and only get in the way if we are really needed."

"All right." Ron smiled softly. "Right now, let's talk about something lighter. Like the New Year's Eve party. Dumbledore told us all that tonight we should clear our minds and just enjoy the birth of a new year."

Hermione sat up straight immediately and exclaimed, "I totally forgot about that! I should have sent a singing Happy New Year's card to my parents ages ago!" She pulled Ron away from the sofa and dragged him out of the common room. "Come on! We don't have much time. We are going to the Owlery right now! Is Pig there?"

Ron made a face at the mention of his crazy little owl pet. "Yeah. Pig is probably there."

"Great! We'll mail the card to my parents and then we'll go spying on Harry."

Ron sighed and then answered with a playful, "Yes, dear."

--------------------

Soon the night arrived and the Great Hall slowly filled with people coming to celebrate the New Year. Most of the guests were members of the Order with their families and friends. There was a strange atmosphere in the beginning. No one dared to smile, because it seemed wrong to celebrate and be happy in times of war. But after Dumbledore's encouraging speech, the mood changed entirely. The guilt fled when Dumbledore stated that to celebrate life was also a way of fighting against Voldemort's terror. He stated there wasn't anything wrong in celebrating the passage of the year with lots of champagne and cheerful songs, especially because they had won their last battle against the Death Eaters. All the damages in Little Whinging had been successfully repaired and nobody had been killed.

Hogwarts then sprung to life. Professor Flitwick had decorated the Great Hall with a beautiful night sky, colourful lights and star-like snowflakes that never touched the floor. The best silver plates, golden goblets and delicious foods were put on the table. The house-elves had prepared their best recipes.

Even the most pessimistic of the group seemed to have lightened-up. The happy singing could be heard from miles away. The centaurs that sympathised with them arrived slowly, almost shyly at first, but they soon relaxed. The cans of beer were passed around. Nearly Headless Nick put on a show with his headless companions, and the ghosts' chorale performed a beautiful New Year's song.

Mrs. Weasley seemed to be in a great mood with all of her family gathered around her unharmed. She didn't even mind the red faces of Fred and George caused by too much butterbeer. She seemed a bit flushed herself. She just showed a little discontent as the twins presented their new prank, an instant illusion charm created to distract teachers in class when a student fell asleep. Ron thought the idea was brilliant, as he was a constant victim of classroom slumber himself, and he asked to be put at the top of his brothers' list of deliveries.

Standing next to Harry, Hermione rolled her eyes at the whole thing. She scowled at Ron for drinking too much and being too loud, and so she took his bottle of butterbeer away. Ron stuck out his tongue at her childishly. Hermione made a face, and then kindly explained to her boyfriend the effects of a hangover - not from personal experience, of course. She had read about them in a book.

On the other side of the room, Sirius told a joke about two Death Eaters and a lamp and the whole table burst into laughter. Hagrid was laughing so hard that he slapped the table and drinks were spilled, but no one seemed to mind. At Sirius' side, Remus flushed fiercely as Sirius' arms wound around his shoulders to bring him closer and whisper in his ear.

Harry was happy just seeing the cheer around him, but somehow his heart wasn't in it, and his smile rarely drove away the worry in his eyes. His father had gone to Transylvania that morning, leaving Harry with a weight in his heart and an anxiety that nothing seemed to ease.

Erin rocked Theo in her arms while listening to something McGonagall was saying, but Harry could tell that she had Severus on her mind. Severus and Lucius had also gone with James in search of Cassandra and the blue rose. Even though Dumbledore told them not to worry, it was hard not to.

Harry prayed for the success of their trip. He just wanted it to work. If there was no blue rose, then chances were that there was no cure for Draco. Harry couldn't even think about such dreadful news. Not now that Draco was in his arms again, but still behaving like a total prick. Harry couldn't wait to wipe that hideous sneer off Draco's handsome face.

Harry turned his attention to Draco, who was the only one isolated from the rest. Draco had chosen to sit at the other end of the table, far away from the fuss, where he quietly ate a piece of chicken pie and drank pumpkin juice - a rather plebeian meal, Harry thought. Even though Draco seemed to be alien to his surroundings, Harry could see his cold silver-blue eyes scanning the room every once in a while, as if watching everything carefully so he could report facts, conversations and people to Voldemort in the future.

Not that Harry would ever allow him to go back to Voldemort. He promised not to let Draco leave his sight, not even for a second.

Being in Draco's company was messing with his head. It was hard to predict Draco's moods, but Harry was learning how to deal with him quite well. He knew now what subjects to avoid and what buttons to press - and to what extent. Mostly, Harry knew exactly how to rile Draco and then use sex to tame him. Draco never looked so submissive as when Harry was inside him, thrusting into him, making Draco moan and cry in ecstasy.

Harry's eyes darkened with desire at the thought. As if feeling his needs, Draco switched his attention to Harry and an electrifying urge passed through them. Draco's body trembled slightly, but he still found strength to sneer in his snooty, but sexy, way. Harry sneered back and they began their usual cat and mouse game right there in the Great Hall.

Harry hated to admit it, but he rather liked their games. He felt a thrill of excitement every time he thought of taming Draco and bringing him to his knees to beg for release. He loved to feel Draco's fingernails scraping his back when he was close to climaxing. Draco had left a big purple hickey on Harry's neck as if to state his possession, as if to say that Harry only thought he was calling all the shots, because the truth was that Draco was the one in charge.

Harry didn't mind being the top or bottom. He didn't mind letting go of his control. The fact remained the same. Master or slave, he had become addicted. Sex between them had never been this wild, this violent, or this needy. Draco had never left as many marks on his body as he did now. Their lovemaking had always been calm, romantic and almost polite, but all the same amazing and satisfying.

Draco's newfound aggression in bed shocked Harry, and he wondered if the old Draco had held back his true desires on purpose. Harry now felt a bit confused about who the real Draco was, and he wondered if the answer would really change the way he truly felt. Besides, be it Draco or Malfoy, the blond wanted him just the same.

Draco seemed unaware of it, but his body responded to Harry's as if he already knew all of its secrets.

'Well', thought Harry with a bitter smile, 'Draco does know my body well. He just doesn't consciously remember it.'

But instead of the soft tenderness he used to feel from Draco's touch, Harry now felt a darker desire, an urge to own, to possess all of him. To strike, bite, hurt, scratch and fuck him senseless, push him to his limits. Destroy him. Until there was nothing left of him. That twisted passion scared Harry. But it also turned him on.

"Harry? Are you all right?" asked Hermione gently, touching him slightly on the shoulder.

Harry looked at her distractedly and frowned. "Yes. Why?"

"You look like you want to devour Draco," she pointed out in a whisper, and then she grinned at Harry's flushing face and stuttering voice as he tried to deny it.

"I presume things have improved, then," she said with a wink. "After all, I've barely seen you these past couple of days." He didn't notice the hidden questions in her comment, the subtle way she had tried to gain more acknowledge of their relationship.

Harry felt like sinking into his chair. "I'm not sure if things are... improving," Harry muttered, glancing at Draco. "But they are certainly changing..."

Hermione stared at Harry thoughtfully. "Harry... If anything happens, you will tell us. Won't you?" she asked.

Harry looked at her, wondering if she had seen through him. Somehow Harry had the impression that Hermione knew exactly what was going on with him. Harry's eyes were drawn to Draco's again. He sighed. "Nothing is wrong. We are just... adjusting to this new reality."

Hermione nodded. "It must be very difficult for you. Just promise to be careful."

Harry smiled weakly and was relieved when Ron diverted Hermione's attention to something else. Harry couldn't promise that he would be careful. Not anymore. He had already thrown caution out the window the moment he let Draco possess him. The truth was that Draco wasn't the only one tamed when they had sex. Harry also knew how to play Draco's sex toy very well.

The green eyes were drawn to Draco once again. The blond was the picture of boredom. It was only when their eyes met that Harry saw liquid fire in the silver-blue ones, inviting him, daring him to come closer. Harry was more than willing to accept the invitation and let himself be burned.

All of a sudden, Draco's expression changed entirely. The blond looked displeased with something. He made a face at Harry and then turned his head away, irritated. Puzzled, Harry wondered what that was all about until Ginny sat by his side and smiled at him.

"Hi, Harry. It's been a while since the last time we've talked. I missed you," she said brightly, and then more gravely, "I'm sorry about the things that happened. I heard about Little Whinging. I can't wait to grow up and be able to fight, too."

Harry smiled at her. He couldn't imagine such a delicate girl like Ginny joining the war. Then again, she was very resolute and strong. She could become a great strategist. He shook his head at his crazy thoughts. Ginny was too young to join the war. They were all too young.

"I heard about Draco, too." Ginny glanced at Draco and wasn't surprised by his murderous icy stare. "Well, that's the Draco we know. I thought he had changed, but I guess I was wrong. He looks the same to me."

"It isn't him," Harry said, sounding defensive. "Draco did change. It's the damn potion."

"Yes, so I heard. But Harry... why did You-Know-Who do that to him?"

'To hurt me', Harry thought.

It was how he wanted to answer, but he couldn't. Ginny didn't know about their relationship. Harry didn't feel like filling her in, either. So when Draco strode away, Harry didn't think twice before following him. He abruptly excused himself and left the Great Hall, leaving behind a stunned and puzzled Ginny.

Peter and Sam walked behind Draco as well. Harry felt irritated, but he knew there was nothing he could do to ditch them. It wasn't as if they would stop Harry from entering Draco's chambers. Not after Dumbledore had talked to them and given Harry permission to enter Draco's room whenever he wanted, alleging that perhaps Draco could be reminded of their past friendship. Harry didn't know what had caused Dumbledore to change his mind, but he was grateful to the Headmaster.

Peter and Sam had never questioned Harry, but they always looked at him with curiosity - and sometimes with distrust, especially when the brunet visited Draco at night.

As the four of them walked through the lonely corridors of the castle, Harry couldn't help thinking that no matter how he viewed the situation, the reality of their new relationship wasn't so good at all. Draco had him wrapped around his finger, not the other way around. Harry could try to deny Draco at first, but in the end he always surrendered. He would die for Draco if asked, and he would do so gladly.

Harry was deeply disturbed and positively scared. Draco had awakened his dark side, one that Harry hadn't known existed, and couldn't control at all. Sadly, though, Harry only wanted more.

Draco had left the door of his room ajar. How could Draco be so certain that Harry would follow him? Harry bit his lower lip, distressed. Stupid question. Obviously, Draco knew that Harry's body was addicted to him. It wasn't as if Harry was trying to hide or suppress his feelings. It was quite the opposite, in fact. Harry felt more and more imprisoned by Draco's spell.

'I shouldn't be doing this,' Harry thought, his hands firmly gripping the doorknob.

"Erm... Potter? Are you ok?" asked Sam.

Harry nodded absent-mindedly. He was still lost in his own gloomy thoughts. 'Walk away,' he told himself. 'Walk away and you'll retain some dignity. You'll show him who's in charge. At least pretend. Pretend he doesn't have you on a leash. Walk away. Please.'

"Whatever you are doing in there, it isn't working," commented Peter nosily. Sam elbowed Peter in the stomach to make his friend shut up. Peter groaned but kept going, "Well, it's true! Malfoy is polite and all, but he's a scary, cold kid. I've never seen a kid with such icy eyes before. Harry, I'm just saying this because we worry about you. I don't think that visiting this kid is doing you any good."

"Peter!" Sam exclaimed. "It isn't our place to say such a thing!"

"It's ok," Harry answered tiredly. He was irritated with Peter's straightforwardness, but what could he say? Peter was right. And yet, no matter how much Harry tried, he couldn't convince himself to walk away. "But answer this for me. Would you turn your back on Sam if he needed your help?"

Peter flushed. "That's... different."

"Would you?" Harry insisted.

"No," Peter answered in a low voice, and then more firmly, "I would do anything to help him, no matter how dangerous the situation was."

Sam opened his eyes wide. He felt a little embarrassed by such strong conviction coming from Peter, but he smiled with the knowledge that his friend would always be there for him. Harry smiled, too.

"That's how I feel about Draco," Harry said. "Do you get it now?"

Peter looked down and nodded.

Harry turned his attention to the door in front of him and entered. The door slowly shut behind him. He found the room covered in darkness. He felt chills run down his spine and his breathing became more laboured. His heart beat unsteadily so he closed his eyes and felt his senses come alive. Luckily he didn't need his wand to defend himself. Harry took a deep breath to try to calm down. Then he waited.

He felt something move up smoothly behind him and he gulped. He wondered what Draco was planning now. What kind of game was set for them tonight?

His glasses were removed and a blindfold covered his eyes. He held his breath for a moment, and then he sniggered, feeling a little nervously. "Is this really necessary? With or without the blindfold, I can't see a thing."

"Everything I do has a purpose," whispered Draco, his lips very close to Harry's right ear. Harry's heart skipped a beat.

"And what is it this time? Kill me?"

Draco sneered. "Now you're worried? After everything you've said to me? After offering me your life on a silver platter? What's the matter, Potter? Don't tell me you're scared."

"I'm not scared!" Harry quickly denied. "I'm just a little..." Harry sighed in frustration at not finding the right words to express his feelings. Of course he wasn't scared. He had a knot in his stomach, and his body was a little shaken, but he was certainly not afraid of Draco. It was only the adrenaline rushing through his body.

The light feathery touch from Draco's hands on his body made him shiver even more, but this time he knew it was from pure pleasure. Draco began to undress Harry slowly, taking his time to caress and kiss Harry's naked skin. The raven-haired boy allowed a strangled moan to escape his lips. It wasn't as if he could hold back his desire anyway, so he might as well enjoy the ride. He heard Draco laughing softly, and he dared to hope that the Draco holding him was his boyfriend and not Voldemort's minion.

"You like this stuff, don't you, Potter?" whispered Draco. "Look at your skin... the hairs on your arms are standing up." Draco ran his fingers along Harry's arms and before Harry knew it, Draco tied his wrists together.

Harry smiled. "So that's your kinky game for the night. This brings back memories."

"Oh, really? Have you tried this before?" Draco sounded a little upset, or so Harry dared to hope. The hard pinch on his nipples was another sign that maybe Draco was jealous.

"No," Harry answered with a husky voice. "I used to tease you about this. I always thought you wanted me like this; blindfolded and tied up. Now I know you actually fantasised about this..."

Draco retracted a little, slightly taken aback. Harry missed his touched and he instantly regretted his words. He shivered, but not from pleasure this time. Suddenly the room had turned very cold.

"What's the matter?" Harry asked, fully knowing what was wrong.

"You know better than this, Potter. You know you shouldn't utter a word about the past or your memories about us. I don't want to know. I don't give a fuck about your vision of the past."

Harry sneered. "So that's it? The almighty Draco Malfoy is scared of a little thing called intimacy? Have you wondered why you feel so upset when I say these kinds of things? It's because deep down you know they are true, and you can feel it in your heart but you can't accept it." Harry felt Draco withdrawing even further away from him. Instead of bowing his head like he always did, Harry decided to keep talking, "If you didn't believe me, you wouldn't feel so bothered."

Draco grunted something that Harry couldn't understand. "I'm just your sex toy, right? My words shouldn't be able to hurt you," Harry pointed out.

"You haven't hurt me! Don't be silly!" Draco protested at once. "I just don't like to hear this sort of nonsense. It's all make-believe. And of course it disturbs me! I was never the person you keep talking about."

Harry sighed. "I'm starting to believe that, too."

"Aha!" Draco exclaimed victoriously. "See what I mean?"

Harry made a face. "In part, yes." He concentrated on getting his wrists free and when they were untied, he took off the blindfold covering his eyes and lit up the candles in the room with a snap of his fingers. Then he lit the fireplace, because the warming spell cast upon the room wasn't enough to keep him warm.

"Hey! Who told you to do that?" Draco complained, annoyed with Harry's display of power. "Why do you have to spoil my fun all the time?"

Harry blinked a few times to get used to the sudden light that hit his eyes, and then he spotted Draco sitting on the bed, pouting like a little kid. , He looked for his glasses, finding them on the bedside table. He grabbed his robes from the floor and put them on. Then he went for his glasses. When he was all set, he walked towards Draco.

The blond sneered. "Please, don't tell me you want to discuss the relationship."

"Oh, so you do admit that we are in a relationship?" Harry sneered back.

"Don't be stupid. I was being sarcastic. What we have is only..."

"Sex," Harry completed.

"Yes. And since you spoiled the mood, we won't even have that tonight. So..." Draco waved his hand, "there's the door. Good night."

Harry didn't move an inch from his spot. He crossed his arms and said, "I admit that there's a lot more about you that I didn't know. I thought I knew all of you, but I was wrong. It kind of shocked me at first, but now... it just makes me wonder why you kept this part of you from me."

Draco frowned. "What part?"

"You were passionate before, but never like this," Harry said. "Now there's this fire inside of you that won't be put out. We loved each other a lot, but I never thought we would be able to have sex so many times in a row."

"Are you saying I was boring before?" Draco asked, horrified.

Harry felt amused by the outraged tone of voice. "No, far from that. But... you never held me like this. Before you held me like I was made of glass. Now you don't mind being more aggressive. I kind of... like... that side of you." Harry flushed.

"Oh, so you do like it rough," Draco pointed out with a smirk.

"To my shame, yes. I like it," Harry confessed in such an honest way that it threw Draco for a loop. "And I also like it when you're soft and gentle. I still love all of you. Besides, even when you're rough you're never violent. You never hurt me. Well, not much." Harry made a face. Draco had left some dark hickeys on his body the previous night.

Draco snorted. "You're a masochist. Get this once and for all, Potter. I don't love you." It sounded like the blond was sure of his words, but Harry caught a slight waver in his tone of voice. Or perhaps Harry was hearing things. But he could swear Draco's chin was trembling a little when he said, "I was raised not to love anyone."

"That's ridiculous. Even your father fell in love!"

"You know about that?" Draco asked, surprised. "How?"

Harry cursed his big mouth. He didn't think Draco was prepared to know that Lucius was involved with James. "Well... it's common knowledge in the Order. Love turned your father to the good side."

Draco shook his head. "I refuse to believe that. Who is this miraculous woman anyway?"

Harry gulped. "Erm... I don't know."

"You do know! You looked away. You always look away when you lie," Draco pointed out.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "I do? How would you know?"

"Well... I..." Draco stuttered as if he had been caught in the act, but Harry was thrilled. If Draco didn't care about him, he wouldn't bother remembering those things!

But Draco's next words shattered his dreams. "I'm one of Voldemort's best fighters, if not the best. It's my duty to pay attention to the enemies' body language. You're really easy to read, Potter. It's a wonder you're still alive."

"It seems to me you've been paying extra attention to me," Harry smirked.

Draco rolled his eyes. "In your dreams."

They went silent for a moment. They sighed almost simultaneously.

"You bore me," Draco pointed out, muffling a yawn with his hand. "You ruined the night of perversion I had planned for us, Potter. Are you happy? Now I'm just sleepy."

"Then let's sleep. Together."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear me? I don't feel like having sex anymore."

"I know. We won't do anything. We are going to sleep, in the truest sense of the word."

"Right. So, goodbye." When Harry didn't move, Draco frowned. "What are you still doing here? You can go now."

"I'm sleeping here," Harry responded calmly

Draco gasped. "What? Why?"

"Just because." Harry smiled, pulled aside the covers and jumped into bed. He looked at Draco and almost laughed at the blond's outraged expression. "What?" Harry provoked him. "Don't tell me you are scared."

"This isn't funny," Draco said between his teeth. "This is just too... too much!"

"Well, you're Draco Malfoy, Voldemort's right hand man. You fear nothing. I'm sure you won't mind spending the night sleeping by my side. If you think about it, I'm the one in danger here. You could kill me while I sleep."

"I might," muttered Draco.

"So... good night." Harry turned on his side, placed his glasses on the bedside table and then closed his eyes. His accelerated heartbeat didn't let him rest, though. With his heart in his mouth, he waited for Draco's next move.

------------------

Draco was stunned. He couldn't believe Potter's audacity! First, he had provoked Draco with the Weasley girl. Not that Draco had been jealous or anything. He was a Malfoy, though, and Malfoys were possessive. Since Draco thought of Harry Potter as his plaything it didn't come as a surprise that Draco had wanted to choke the Weasley little carrot to death for throwing herself at Harry.

Despite everything, Potter had followed him to his room, the place where the stage had been set for another night of forbidden pleasure. Or so Draco had thought. Because Harry Potter had the disgusting habit of ruining Draco's plans every time. And it wasn't enough to ruin his plans of wild sex. No. Potter also had to ruin Draco's beliefs and feelings. That was the second thing about Harry Potter that annoyed Draco to no end.

Most importantly, Draco couldn't believe himself when he was with Potter. The raven-haired young man had given himself freely and willingly. And yet Draco couldn't use him for anything but sex. Draco sneered at the thought. What excused him was that they didn't have ordinary sex, but rather passionate, hot, steamy sex.

Draco felt shivers run down his spine. He glanced at the body lying beside him in bed and snorted. Harry Potter had some nerve. To just lie down by his side as if they weren't enemies, as if they were regular lovers. They just fucked. There shouldn't be any strings attached. Harry didn't seem to understand that though.

Draco wrapped his arms around his shivering body and sighed. Having Potter so close to him was making him nervous. Lying in bed together made it seemed as if they were intimate and important to each other. It made it even harder to draw a line between them. They were enemies and should stay as such. Sleeping together, in the truest sense of the word, would only mess things up. As if Draco wasn't confused enough! As if he already didn't have enough problems convincing himself that Potter was just there to entertain him, not to make his heart beat faster.

Draco's fist clutched at his robe as if that alone would make his heart beat normally again. It wouldn't, of course. Not with Harry Potter so close to him. All Draco could hear was his own unsteady breath. Every movement from the other side of the bed put him on high alert and made his whole body tremble. He cursed himself.

"Draco?"

Draco grunted. "Don't call me that," he complained in vain.

"Can't you sleep?" asked Harry in a whisper.

Draco sneered. "Of course not! How can I sleep with you here?"

"I won't attack you."

"That's not the point, Potter. It's just... too much."

"You already said that," Harry pointed out.

"And I'll keep saying it until you get it," Draco said, sulking.

Harry turned around and rested his elbow on the mattress. He bit his lower lip as if he was thinking about what to say. Draco found that adorable, but instantly berated himself for the thought. They stared silently at each other. Draco saw Harry's beautiful green eyes sparkling in the dim light and his heart beat even faster. Another minute and he would probably pass out. Harry's eyebrows lifted with surprise. Draco wondered what that was all about.

"What?" Draco asked defensively.

Harry stretched out his hand and touched Draco's cold fingers. His sudden move almost made Draco jump out of bed.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked, teeth clenched.

"I wanted to make sure of something," Harry said.

"Of what?" Draco snarled.

"You're trembling," Harry stated.

"I am certainly not!" Draco quickly denied. It was an obvious lie. He couldn't stop shaking, and he didn't know why. Perhaps he was getting ill.

"Yes, you are." Harry came closer to him and touched Draco's forehead with the back of his hand. "Do you have a fever?"

Draco thought of pushing Harry away, of making a big fuss and kicking Harry out of his room. He had the right to. If he was smart, it was what he should do. But he didn't do anything. The whole situation had already gotten out of hand. The moment Draco heard the worry in Harry's voice and felt Harry's gentle touch on his forehead he gave up struggling. Indeed, Draco had a fever. The name of his disease was Harry Potter. Harry was his sickness but also his cure. The only things powerful enough to end his feverish state were Harry's kiss and touch.

"Draco?"

Draco closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. Then he opened them again and just stared at Harry for a long time. "Don't do this," he whispered, almost defeated.

Harry frowned. "Don't do what?"

"Don't be kind to me."

"Why not? That's how I am. I can't help worrying about you," Harry said softly. Then he cupped Draco's face and touched their foreheads together. Draco almost forgot to breathe.

"Hate me," Draco pleaded. "Hate me like you did before."

"I never hated you."

"Yes, you did."

"No. You annoyed me. But I never hated you."

"I hate you."

Harry smiled feebly. "I know."

"You confuse me."

"I know."

Draco sighed. "Suddenly, I don't like this game anymore."

"Thank goodness. Me either." Harry placed a soft kiss on Draco's lips. Slowly, it deepened. Draco let himself be kissed, first on his mouth, then his cheeks and finally his neck.

Harry's fingers found Draco's wrists and pinned his hands to the mattress. There was no rush this time, only gentle strokes and sweet kisses. Draco's heart began to melt, but he also felt restless. He swallowed hard as Harry took off his robe and tossed it away. Harry's tongue closed around a pink nipple, making it pop up. The mouth kept descending. Draco's underwear was soon gone as well. Too weak to resist, Draco let himself be ravished. A warm velvet touch engulfed his cock. Draco threw his head back and moaned. His toes curled as a wet finger invaded him. His body moved on its own. His voice came out in an endless moan.

Dazzled, he watched Harry undress himself quickly and then lie on top of him. Their lips met and their bodies rocked together. Draco dug his fingernails into Harry's back and smiled triumphantly when Harry groaned in response. They were close to heaven, but Draco needed more. He needed Harry inside him, thrusting into him, loving him. Driven by desire, he guided Harry's cock inside him. The friction between their bodies and their panting breaths and moans soon brought them to the skies. Draco shuddered, losing control, and came with a hoarse cry, moaning unintelligible things. Harry came a few thrusts later, sheathing himself fully inside Draco, his semen spilling down his thighs.

They recovered rather slowly. When Harry lay down beside him, Draco missed the warmth of his body. He looked at Harry and caught him looking back at him. It was time to throw his usual fit, but somehow Draco couldn't find the strength to do so. Quietly, he reached for a box of tissues that were on top of the bedside table and cleaned himself. Then he offered the box to Harry.

Draco felt that he had to say something or at least do something so he wouldn't be too out of character. But he didn't want to say anything. He was quickly being swept away by slumber. Harry's arms cuddled him. Draco didn't protest or pull away. With eyes half-open, he just looked at Harry. The bastard was smiling cutely. Draco wanted to tell him not to get his hopes up too high, but he didn't think it would do any harm to just let it be that once.

"Is it ok to hold you like this?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded absent-mindedly and Harry gradually relaxed in his arms and slept. Draco closed his eyes, too, but didn't fall asleep right away. His body was pleading for some rest, but his mind wouldn't cease bothering him. No matter how many times he told himself not to allow his heart to be vulnerable, he knew it was a lost battle. He was tired already. He didn't want to resist Harry anymore. His self-hatred didn't stop him from wanting Harry more and more. Draco felt a pang in his heart. He was falling for the Golden Boy, and he was falling hard. But instead of panicking like he thought he would, somehow that knowledge put him at ease. And just like that, he fell asleep.

THE END