The Road Home

Chap. 8 - WHO WILL YOU RUN TO

November went by very slowly. Harry Potter and Celeste Strut were now the most famous couple of Hogwarts. There was gossip about them all around. But for those who knew how to look properly - like Hermione Granger or Erin Jones - Harry wasn't as happy as he seemed to be. He was feeling quite the opposite in fact.

His misery was Draco Malfoy. The Slytherin had taken his words very seriously. He didn't tease Harry the way he used to and he barely looked at him. He had decided to ignore Harry as much as possible. Because of his indifference - well deserved, he had to admit - Harry's hate for Draco increased in the same proportion as his love. It was hard to tell where one feeling began and the other ended. They were mixed in such a way that sometimes Harry wanted to throw away his heart for good.

But he was Harry Potter and he would never let show how distressed and hurt he was.

His relationship with Celeste was disturbing him as well. It wasn't that he didn't like her. On the contrary; when they were together he couldn't think of anything else except for her. It was when they were apart that he had doubts. In those times he knew for sure he didn't feel anything but tenderness for her. He didn't understand why she had so much power over him seeing as his heart already belonged to Draco. But he kept lying to himself anyhow.

"Harry, honey, what's wrong?" Celeste asked him endless times.

"Nothing." He answered, knowing he was a goddamn liar.

They were sitting near the fireplace caressing each other, but Harry's mind seemed to be in another place. That night he went to his dorm before anyone else. He had too many things on his mind and when Celeste was around he couldn't think clearly. He needed some time alone with his thoughts.

He dreamed with Draco all night. The blond kept repeating the same line over and over.

'You are so stupid, Potter. Don't you realize what's going on?' Draco said.

'You dumped me. That's all I need to know.'

'You are definitely a wasted case, Potter. I don't know why I lose my precious time on you.'

'Then just leave me alone! Get the hell out of my dream!'

Draco laughed. 'You are also so naive. You have the power to send me away from your dream, Potter. But you don't want me to go away, do you? You like to have me in your dream, hunting you. Kissing you. Touching you.'

Oh yes, he did. Especially when he pulled the illusory Draco against his body. He loved to feel the soft lips touching his, and the hands and fingers caressing every inch of his body. He loved to moan under Draco's urgent ministrations. His dreams seemed so real he woke up all sweaty as if he had run a marathon. Sometimes he ran his fingers along his body, past his waistband and gently touched himself, biting his lower lip until he tasted blood to prevent one of his roommates from hearing his groans of pleasure.

Not only did he miss Draco, but his body screamed for him as well. Day after day, he longed for the times he could be alone in his dorm because then he could release all of his secret fantasies with the blond boy. He did it like it was a sacred thing. He did it not knowing that at the other side of the castle, at the same time, Draco was doing it, too.

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

Near the Christmas holidays, Draco had all the information he needed about Celeste's amulet. After telling Erin about the silver stone, she gave him a list of books to look for in the library.

He found what he wanted in a book called 'Amulets and its Magical Properties - a Guide for Beginners'. Its name was 'Lead Amulet', a small object made of lapis lazuli, a gem that was considered very powerful by the Egyptians, that was commonly worn with a string around the wrist or ankle. It was almost like Imperius curse but less potent. Erin explained to him that amulets were not reliable in the wizard community because a wand was much more effective. But an amulet was more difficult to track down, which made it the perfect weapon for an undercover Death Eater.

As for the silver stone, he found just a small mention about it. It was a protective magic and should be used to block the effects of the 'Lead Amulet' and other amulets made of lapis-lazuli. The major problem was the stone was very rare.

'Am I actually reading it right? All of this time Harry could fight the magic that emanates from the amulet alone?' questioned Draco one night.

'Yeah.' Erin answered, her head hid behind a large book.

'The shitty bastard!' yelled Draco slamming his clenched fists on the table.

Erin only nodded, not really paying attention to him.

'What are you reading?' asked Draco irritated.

'Nothing, really. Just... stuff.'

'Bloody hell, Erin! I thought you would help me.'

'I am helping you. But you seem to be doing a good job on your own.'

'Harry could fight the amulet's power! Why isn't he? I mean, he fought Imperius! If the amulet is not as effective as a magic cast by a wand then why-'

'He is fighting it; you have to trust me on this one.' She interrupted him.

'I don't see him trying.'

'That's because he doesn't want you to see. He's trying to make you jealous.'

'What!? That's bullshit!'

'Language!'

'You know what I mean. He is not trying to make me jealous.' But a bit of hope started to grow in his heart. 'What should I do now?'

'Talk to Hermione.'

'The Mudblood!? No way. You are out of your fucking mind!'

'Hey! I'm your teacher! I said before; watch - your - language, Mister!'

'Sorry. But talking to Granger... I don't know if it's a good idea.'

'She is the only one that can help you. Plus, she hates Celeste, too. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to bother Madam Pomfrey.'

'Why?' Draco asked, puzzled.

'Because, dear evil student, she has the best chocolate ever. Goodnight. I suggest you go to your dorm before Snape catches you.' she patted him on the head before leaving.

Draco debated the idea of talking to Granger all night long.

After Potions's class - as Goyle kept talking about how wonderful, beautiful and perfect Pansy was - Draco spotted Granger walking in the direction of the library. He invented an excuse to retreat and carefully followed her. It was perfect. When he got to the library, no one was there except for her.

Draco hid behind a shelf, thinking of how to approach her. Finally, he drew a deep breath and slowly sat down at her side. She arched an eyebrow when she saw him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.

"This is a library. What do you think?" replied Draco.

"I don't know and I don't care. Just get out of my sight. Just because you told us a fairytale about you being a spy for our sake, it doesn't mean I bought the idea."

"Oh, but I didn't become a spy for your sake."

"Then why?"

"I didn't come here to talk about this."

"Let me see if I get this straight. Are you here to talk to me?"

"Yeah, Mudblood. You are so smart that I'm amazed!" Draco said with sarcasm.

"Just get a hike, Malfoy! I'm not in the mood for you." Hermione said caustically.

Draco sighed audibly. "Let's start again, shall we? I'm sorry for calling you Mudblood."

Hermione's eyes opened up wildly. "Are you apologizing? Wow! This is not good. Are you sick or something? Or maybe I need to have my ears checked. That must be it. I mean, you can't possibly be trying to act like a human being."

"Give me a break, will you? Not calling you Mudblood is as good as I can get. So don't get all excited about it."

"What do want, Malfoy?" Hermione sighed. "I'm very busy. I need to study for the exams. We have O.W.Ls this year."

"Merlin! You're studying already!? You sure deserve your know-it-all fame."

She showed her middle finger at him and Draco laughed.

"Now we're talking! I never knew you had the guts to do a gesture like that! I'm delighted. You suddenly became... attractive." he joked.

"You forget the slap I gave you once, which, by the way, I'm totally capable of giving again. Now, what in heavens name do you want, Malfoy? You didn't come here just to flirt with me."

"I wanted to talk to you about something. Or someone."

"Harry."

They stared at each other. Finally, Draco looked the other way.

"Yes. It's about Harry and that girl that thinks she is a gift from heaven." Draco said.

"Celeste Strut. You don't like her."

"No. And someone told me you didn't like her either."

Hermione nodded. "Well, what can I say? She is too bloody perfect for my taste. Besides, I always get the impression that her actions are calculated. She's a fraud."

"My sentiments exactly. I have something to tell you about her."

Draco told her all he knew about the 'Lead Amulet', its power and the contra-amulet - the silver stone, which was a hard-to-get object.

"I knew it. I knew something wasn't right. Harry is acting too weird." Hermione whispered.

"You mean, weirder than normal?" he joked.

"Just shut up."

Hermione promised to find another silver stone, but Draco didn't believe she could do it.

"If I didn't find it in Knockturn Alley, I doubt you will find it in Diagon Alley." he said.

"You obviously don't know me, Malfoy. What I want, I get."

"Sounds just like me. Maybe we are soul mates, Granger." he provoked her.

She shook her head. "I think you already found your soul mate, Malfoy. And it's not me, that's for sure. I don't know how I feel about it or if I like it. Yet. Maybe you deserve him, maybe not. Only the future will answer this."

Draco stared straight ahead, thoughtful. Then he changed the subject. "Are you staying for Christmas?"

"I don't know yet. Why?"

"I'm going away tomorrow. My father will be offering a dinner at the Manor. He wants me there. But I wouldn't miss it anyway. I need to know Voldemort's next steps. Since I'm going, I need you to watch over Potter. Please?" she noticed it was very hard for him to say this.

"I never thought I would live to see the day you ask me for a favor." Hermione stared at him, stunned. "Don't worry about Harry. I'm always looking after him. He's my friend."

Draco bit his lower lip and dared to ask. "Are you in love with him?"

"Not that this is any of your goddamn business but no, I'm not in love with Harry. I love him as a friend. And I'm warning you, Malfoy, if you hurt him in any way, I'll hunt you down and kill you."

"Lately he is the one hurting me." He let it slip, hiding his face between his hands. "Forget what I just said."

"You really love him, don't you?" she asked, looking sympathetic.

He remained in silence. It was quite obvious though. Hermione had been paying attention at the way Draco used to look at Harry, like he was a precious jewel or a very special gift. She wished Ron looked at her like that at least once.

"Are you going to help me expose her?" Draco asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, I will. You can count on me."

It was a historic moment when Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy shook hands.

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

Celeste Strut ran her fingers through her long black hair slowly and adjusted her clothes. Ever since she had arrived at Hogwarts she had been waiting for a chance to be alone with Draco Malfoy, the sex-god of Slytherin. She was suppose to be glued on Harry 24 hours a day, but even though Harry was a very sweet boy - and sometimes she almost had pity for him and his dark future - she couldn't help the intense attraction she felt for Draco.

The blond boy was so charismatic and sexy. Celeste loved his cold looks, his elegant posture and the way a blond-silver lock of his neat hair seemed to defy his personality by covering his eyes, giving him a rebel-like appearance. He had a unique style and most important of all, he was rich.

He seemed like a 'beyond-your-reach' type, the kind of guy difficult to conquer, incredibly hard to get. It was frustrating for a girl like her - who was used to having anything and everything she wanted - to pass by him everyday and be totally ignored. But somehow she started to find his coldness very attractive.

He was a challenge that she was more than willing to accept.

Before dinner, she waited until Draco passed by her to push him into an empty corridor. He looked at her astonished but also intrigued. Aggressively, she slid her fingers over his chest and kissed him full on the lips. When she realized he wasn't kissing her back, Celeste took a step back and slid her hand close to his waistband but before she could caress him more intimately, he pushed her away.

"You are Potter's girlfriend." he pointed out coldly.

"So?" she shrugged her shoulders.

"So!? I don't want anything that belongs to Potter. I don't want to contaminate myself."

"Oh, please!" she laughed. "Come on, Malfoy. We both know why I'm in Hogwarts. Your father probably told you all about it. Harry is just a duty. He is cute but you... you are a god. And you are a Malfoy. Everyone knows how powerful Malfoys are. My family is also rich. You and I could be great together."

"Thanks for the lovely offer but I'm not interested." said Draco disgusted.

Her face became red with anger. "Why not? I'm beautiful and attractive."

Draco was about to send her to hell when he thought better. Celeste seemed eager to have him. He could use that knowledge for something. As she said before, he was a Malfoy and a Malfoy never lost the opportunity to take advantage of other people's weakness ever since the beginning of Time.

He smirked dangerously and touched her face gently. She closed her eyes with delight.

"Maybe." he said.

"Maybe what?" she asked anxiously.

"Maybe we are perfect for each other."

She smiled. "I knew you would surrender to my charms."

She kissed him and this time he kissed her back. "Tell me, Celeste, where do you keep it?"

"Keep what, honey?"

"The 'Lead Amulet'. The object you're using to bewitch Potter. Where is it?"

"Oh, that's a secret." She grinned.

"Give me a hint." He bit her earlobe and she moaned.

"If you keep doing that, I'll do anything you want."

"Really?" he sneered. "Don't you care about Potter at all?"

"Nope." She laughed. "Like I said, he is cute but definitely not my type. He's kind of naïve... he actually trusts people, the poor thing. I'm surprised the Dark Lord didn't kill him already. He is so good to me that it's irritating."

With all his might, Draco held the strong impulse to slap her. How could she talk about his Harry with such disdain? The bitch!

"Why don't you show me the amulet? I wanted to see it ever since my father told me about it. What is it like?"

"It's just an ordinary amulet. I preferred gold, but a gem is just fine."

"Where is it?" insisted Draco, starting to lose his patience.

"Somewhere in my body... If you want to see it, you'll have to search for it yourself."

Draco felt suddenly sick to his stomach. He wished that Harry liked her only because of the amulet's dark magic. He couldn't possibly be in love with Strut for real, could he? She was so vulgar. Not at all like what Harry's type should be. However, Draco also didn't look like the type of person Harry could love either- especially with their past of hostility - but a guy could hope, right? He wondered if he would have to sleep with Strut to steal the amulet. 'Damn you, Potter.'

"Do you want to go somewhere more private?" she invited him.

"Maybe later. We can meet at the Astronomy Tower."

"I can't. Not tonight. It's a pity. I was so anxious to be with you alone."

Draco looked disappointed but not for the reasons she was probably thinking. He'd have to wait until after Christmas to get the amulet.

"Are you staying here for Christmas?" he asked curiously.

"No. My dad wants me home. He said the Dark Lord has a surprise for his followers. But you already know that. I bet you father told you."

He tried not to look so shocked by the news. "Of course."

"Maybe we can meet each other after the holidays."

"Maybe. I have to go now. I promised Goyle to help him write a poem to Pansy."

She kissed Draco and took a while to release him. Simultaneously, Ron was walking down the hallway looking thoughtful when he saw them. His jaw fell open. Since Ron was also enchanted by Celeste's amulet - and he hated Malfoy as well - it didn't cross his mind that she was the one coming on to Draco.

For a moment, he thought about punching Malfoy and leaving him unconscious to show the prick a valuable lesson but Harry should have the pleasure to do that first. He hid behind a statue and watched them leave for the Great Hall. Quickly, he returned to the Gryffindor Common Room to speak to his friend.

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

As soon as Harry heard about Draco and his evil plan to seduce Celeste he opened the Fat Lady's Portrait violently and headed for the Great Hall. He still didn't believe what he just heard. Malfoy had kissed Celeste. The bastard had kissed his girlfriend! How could he do that? He hadn't changed a bit. He was still the same bastard as he always was.

Harry wasn't thinking clearly. All he could see was Draco and Celeste together. Blinded by hate, he burst into the Great Hall. He spotted Draco talking to Goyle and laughing about something. Probably about how pathetic Harry was. Malfoy should be bragging about how easy it was for him to nail Potter's girlfriend. The bastard!

He walked towards Draco having Ron at his side. Bit by bit, the conversations in the tables ceased. Time seemed to stop when a pair of raged green eyes met a pair of confused silver-blue ones.

"Potter, what-" Draco looked at him puzzled.

"You and I. Outside. NOW!" yelled Harry demandingly.

Aware of the fact that everyone in the room was watching them carefully he stood up to follow Harry out. Draco ordered Goyle and Crabbe to stay. Harry did the same with Ron.

When they passed the doors, Snape made an attempt to go after them but Erin held him by the sleeve.

"No, you stay right here. Let them go." Erin said.

"Are you insane? They will kill each other."

"No, they won't."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Trust me. But if I'm wrong, you can ask me anything you want."

"Anything?" he smirked.

"Yes." She grinned maliciously.

"All right. This is a bet you won't win this time, Jones. I know more about them than you'll ever know. And if Potter hurts Draco again, I'll make his life more miserable than ever."

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

Inside an empty classroom, Draco and Harry faced each other, arms crossed.

Draco was very intrigued about Harry's outburst. He wondered what had happened to make the always easy-going Harry to lose his self-control like that. Draco could feel Harry's eyes on him, trying to sneak under his most private thoughts, trying to see right through him. His breath became accelerated. He noticed all of a sudden it was the first time he was alone with Harry in weeks. He was alone with Harry. 'Get a grip of yourself, Draco. You are mad at him, remember? He is a stupid Gryffindor, that's all. You can handle him. But he looks so cute when he's angry. No, don't go there. Don't you dare.'

Harry bit his lower lip and adjusted his glasses. His green eyes were sparkling with hatred. Why had the bloody bastard to be so damn gorgeous? The moment he looked into Draco's eyes, he almost forgot the main reason they were alone in the first place. This fact made him even angrier with the whole situation. 'Don't forget that he was the one who bloody dumped you, Harry.' said a little voice inside his head while the other voice kept repeating 'Well, but you deserved it after all the nasty things you did to him. Fuck all this! Just walk over there and kiss him!' Kiss... It was the key word that made him wake up.

"You kissed her. I can't believe you did that! You bloody kissed her!" he shouted.

"What!?" Draco was taken by surprised.

"Celeste! You kissed her! How could you?"

"..."

"Well, aren't you going to say anything?"

What could he say? 'Yes, it's true, but I only kissed her because of you.' Yeah, right. Like he would believe that. And why was he worried anyway? He owed nothing to Potter. In fact, Harry was the one in debt with him.

"You are so stupid, Potter. Don't you realize what's going on?" said Draco.

The memories of his wet dreams with Draco knocked Harry out. Those were the exact same words Draco used to say at the beginning of his dreams. 'You dumped me. That's all I need to know.'

"You shouldn't trust her, Potter. She is a tramp! She came on to me and-"

"Shut up!" Harry shut his eyes, confused by the storm of emotions that was coming down on him.

He could hardly breathe. All the repressed feelings he had for Draco were suffocating him, wrapping around his heart and squeezing it tightly. His stomach jolted and he felt sick. He realized the problem wasn't his jealousy of Celeste. He couldn't care less for Celeste. Harry was painfully jealous of Draco. He couldn't bare the thought of that lustful mouth kissing someone else that wasn't him or of those hands touching someone else's skin. His vision started to fade away.

But Draco didn't notice any of this and kept talking. "How did you know? Wait! Don't tell me. It was most likely Weasel. And being the dumb Gryffindor he is, I bet he saw just one part of the show and thought he knew the entire story. The evil Draco Malfoy plotting against the goody-goody Harry Potter once again. Well, fuck you, Potter! I don't have to put up with your shit! Not after everything I'm doing for you!" he shouted.

"And what the fuck did you do, Malfoy? You always tried to get me a detention. You tried to knock me down off my broom every chance you got. Jesus, you even had the guts to dress like a Dementor to do that! You tried to get Hagrid fired! You called my friends horrible names and you even wanted to see Hermione dead!" Harry half-shouted.

"This is the past. I never-"

"Shut up! I'm not done yet! You don't have the right to ask me for anything, Malfoy! You are the one that has to prove yourself to me, not the contrary. You always acted like a prick! So don't act like a victim now because you are far from being one!"

"I hate you, Potter. I hate you so much!" Draco turned his back on him. "It won't matter if I kill myself for you, will it? You'll never trust me." shocked, Draco felt a tear slowly running down his face and he quickly wiped it with the back of his hand. "You know, she isn't trustworthy either, Potter. She was sent here by Voldemort to be your weakness."

Harry laughed bitterly. "Really? Then he's doing it all wrong. Do you think she can be my weakness, Malfoy?" he walked near Draco and confessed with a trembling voice. "You are my weakness."

Stunned, Draco turned around to face him. "What?"

"You heard me."

"But-"

Harry touched Draco's mouth delicately with his fingers to prevent him from finishing the sentence. Draco shut his eyes tightly. He could feel the green eyes burning his skin.

"Why?" Harry felt suddenly exhausted. He was barely able to stand on his feet alone.

"Why I kissed her? I'm a Malfoy, right? I think this speaks for itself." he smirked. "She is evil, you know? She is just playing with your mind. When you least expect, when all your defenses are down, she will turn against you and betray you."

"NO! That's not what I asked, you bloody idiot!"

"Then what?" asked Draco offended.

Harry walked past Draco and stood at the window. He looked at the dark sky, wishing he could vanish through the cold air with his Firebolt. Flying was the only thing he was good at. The rest of his life was a mess. He felt hot tears coming down his cheek, releasing all the agony it was held inside his soul and cursed him for being so fragile at the moment.

"Potter?" called Draco softly.

"Why are you..." he cleaned his throat and started again. "Why are you always trying to be me? I'm so sick of it. You are always trying to live my life. Always. No matter what I do you're right there, trying to copy me, trying to be me. Stop wanting to be me!" - 'because I want you to be *with* me', Harry's heart screamed.

That was unexpected. Draco was more than confused. 'What is he talking about?'

"This is the problem, Malfoy. The major problem. Our major problem. You didn't want me you just wanted to be me since the beginning. Since the day we met. This is why I couldn't let you..." Harry felt his vision fading again. He leaned against the window and touched his forehead in the cold glass. "This is why... Draco, I don't feel so good." He took a step back and blacked out.

"Harry!"

Harry fell backwards but Draco caught him before he could hit the floor.

"Harry! What's wrong?" asked Draco urgently, laying him on the ground. He touched Harry's face gently. It was extremely cold. "Oh, God! Harry! Answer me, goddamnit!"

Draco felt his pulse weakening. At the moonlight Harry looked like a ghost. He was deathly pale. His face was white and the cherry-red lips Draco loved so much was discolored. He wrapped his arms around Harry's neck and brought him closer to his body. He rested his mouth in Harry's forehead.

"Harry." he muttered, his silver-blue eyes filled with tears. "What's going on? Open your eyes, Harry. Talk to me." Harry remained unconscious and Draco felt useless. "Fuck this! I need to call someone, Harry, but I'll be back with help. Just hold on!"

Before Draco could stand up Harry's hand squeezed his. "Draco." he whispered.

Draco knelt down at his side. "Yes? How are you feeling, Harry?"

"Dizzy." Harry tried to get up but he felt too weak. "Help me get up."

Draco passed Harry's right arm around his shoulder and helped steady him. "I'm going to take you to the Hospital Wing. Do you think you can walk?" Draco asked without letting go of him.

Harry nodded.

"You are going to be all right, I promise you." said Draco kissing him gently on the lips. He felt Harry smiling.

"You see? I was right. You are my weakness." joked Harry.

"It's not bloody funny!" exclaimed Draco.

Before Harry could reply, he fainted again.

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

Draco spent angst moments in the waiting room of the Hospital Wing. Harry had been there with Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey, Erin and Snape for over an hour. Draco was almost pulling out his hair with anxiety. No one had explained to him about what was happening.

When he saw Erin and Snape coming out of Harry's room, he inquired them without delay.

"Is he all right? Can I see him?"

"Yes for both questions." Erin said. "Harry will be fine. Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore are keeping him company. You can enter to see Harry when Dumbledore walks out."

"What happened?" Snape asked to Draco.

"We were just talking and he started to feel sick." said Draco defensively.

"Just talking? Did you do something to him, Draco?" questioned Snape.

"Of course not! I told you once I would never do anything to harm him." said Draco. "Are you suspecting me, Sir?"

"No, he is not. Knock it off, Severus!" Erin slapped Snape's arm. "Can't you see he's tired and worried like hell?"

"Hey!" Snape protested. "You didn't have to hit me!"

Erin arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Sometimes you sure need a spank."

In any other time Draco would be amused by the discussion but he was too distressed at the moment.

"Does Dumbledore know what is wrong with him?" asked Draco.

"Sort of. Madam Pomfrey thinks it was stress. He was upset about something and when he faced a hard situation he just snapped. She gave him some reinvigorating tonic. I assumed you two had a discussion." Snape said.

"Yes. It's my fault then." said Draco looking defeated.

"Severus, could I talk to Draco alone for a moment?" Erin asked.

Snape looked at her suspiciously but he left the room without saying a word.

"I think Harry's fragile state has something to do with the amulet." said Erin.

"Why?"

"I've been doing some research about it. Amulets are not more powerful than a wand but when you combine them with dark magic... well, the results are somewhat unpredictable."

"How much unpredictable?"

"A lot. It depends on the person who enchanted the amulet. If the person is powerful, than the amulet will be, too. The 'Lead Amulet' is supposed to function like an Imperius curse only weaker, but I think that if you overcharge the amulet, it can have side effects. Just like in an Imperius curse when it's cast over and over in the same person. As time goes by the person will grow resistance to it but it will also starts to get weaker because of it. Am I making any sense?"

"Yes. The amulet is making Harry sick!" exclaimed Draco bewildered.

"Exactly. Or at least this is my guess. I think the amulet it's drawing Harry's strength."

"God! So, this is its real purpose. To make him weak. And no one would ever suspect it."

"Yeah, especially since wizards don't pay much attention to harmless things like amulets."

"Harmless? You got to be joking!"

"I'm not. Amulets are considered harmless. Aurors never cared for them. They are not part of our culture. But I discovered that some dark wizards in Greece used to make them to harm people. It's not an easy thing to do."

"Well, we are talking about Voldemort, right? He can do anything. Did you talk to someone about this?"

"Yes. I had to. Somehow I can't lie to the Headmaster. He knows about the amulet but he can't do anything against Celeste without any proof. Her family has too much influence in the wizarding community."

"What can we do? I'm going home tomorrow. I can't look after Harry."

"Did you talk to him about the amulet?"

"No, I didn't have the chance."

"Good, because he wouldn't believe it anyway. Don't worry about him. I'll be here."

Draco took the silver stone from his pocket and gave it to Erin but she didn't accept it.

"Give it to him yourself. It could be an early Christmas present." she winked at him.

"But-"

"I thought you would want to spend the night at his side."

"Can I?" asked Draco hopefully.

"Yes, you can. I talked to the Headmaster already. Madam Pomfrey didn't like the idea but Dumbledore persuaded her. You can sleep in the infirmary by his side."

"I don't know if he'll want me there."

"Oh, I think he won't mind."

Dumbledore walked out of Harry's room grinning at Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, you can see him now."

"Thanks, Sir."

Draco entered the room and closed the door. He found Harry two beds ahead with his eyes shut looking peaceful. Draco sighed with relief. He noticed his hands shaking. He had been so worried that now all he wanted to do was hide his face in his hands and cry. But he wouldn't do it. He had to be strong not only for himself but for Harry as well. He slowly came closer to Harry's bed and slid his fingers through the soft raven hair. With the palm of his hand, he caressed Harry's face barely touching it. Harry opened his eyes and met his.

"Hi." said Harry in a throaty voice.

"Shush." Draco put a finger on his lips.

Harry took his hand and rested it on his face. Draco's eyes sparkled.

"How do you do that?" asked Draco. "How do you surrender yourself to me in a way that I can't resist and in the next moment you push me away? I don't understand you."

"I don't understand myself most of the times either." Harry answered, pulling Draco closer until their lips touched.

It was a tender kiss that lasted only a few seconds. The tip of their tongues touched slightly and Draco felt Harry's hand entangling his neck, pulling his body closer, but Draco backed away before things got out of hand. Harry wasn't strong enough yet.

As soon as Harry stopped feeling Draco's lips he sighed frustrated.

"You need to rest." explained Draco before Harry could complain.

"Since when you are so sensitive?" asked Harry amused.

"Ever since you came into my life."

"That's not true. You never treated me with any respect."

"I did too!"

"You did not!"

"I did too!"

"You did not!"

"I... bloody hell, Potter! Does it matter?"

"Yeah, it does matter. You are not the example of virtue, Malfoy. Which brings me to the discussion we were having an hour ago. Why did you-" Harry started to feel angry again.

"Not now, Potter. I'd rather have this conversation with you when you are better. You are not a match for me right now. I could easily break you if I wanted to."

"Fuck you." said Harry moodily.

"Shut up."

"I hate you."

"What a coincidence! I feel the same way!" Draco's expression hardened.

Harry leaned forward and kissed him rudely, taking Draco by surprised. After a moment he surrendered to the kiss. Their tongues entwined increasing the heat between them; the arms tightened around each other and Draco felt himself dangerously close to his limit.

"Stop." Draco muttered between the kisses.

"I can't. I missed you so much."

"Oh, Harry." he moaned.

Harry pulled Draco over his body and deepened their kiss. Draco admitted his defeat. They gave in to pleasure, following a rhythm older than life itself. It was too much for Draco. He shuddered violently when he felt Harry's body moving under his. He felt himself falling, drowning, burning, flying, dying and suddenly being born again. Finally, his body stopped shaking and his heart, that was beating so fast he thought it would come out of his mouth, started to beat normally again. He was exhausted. His eyelids closed as if they were made of iron.

"Draco?" called Harry in a low tone of voice. "Did you just-"

"Yes. See what you do to me, Potter? This is why I hate you." muttered Draco embarrassed.

Harry giggled and tightened his arms around Draco's waist, kissing the blonde's forehead.

"What you said before about me... It's not true. I don't want to be you, Harry. I never did. All I wanted was to be with you ever since the first time we met." confessed Draco. "But you shut me down and that hurt."

Harry's eyes brightened with unshed tears. He remained in silence, afraid that if he opened his mouth he would give away too much of what he felt for Draco.

"Do you love her?" Draco asked, retaining his breath.

"No." 'I couldn't love her because I'm in love with you. Deeply and endlessly.', he wanted to say.

"Good. Otherwise I would have to kill you."

Harry smiled. "No, you wouldn't. You can't live without me."

"You wish." Draco kissed him soundly and rested his head on Harry's chest. "I wanted to give you something."

He took the silver stone from his pocket and gave it to Harry.

"Wow! It's so beautiful. What is it?"

"It's an amulet. To give you luck. I want you to use it everyday."

"I didn't know you were superstitious." Harry smiled.

"Promise me you are going to wear it everyday, Harry."

"I promise. Thanks." He brushed his lips on Draco's. "I feel so stupid. I've got nothing for you."

"It doesn't matter." Draco stared into Harry's eyes. "You are my gift."

Harry blushed. "Don't say that. I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

"I won't be here tomorrow." said Draco.

"Why not?"

"I'm going home."

"Oh." Harry looked extremely disappointed. "I'll write you then."

"I don't know if it's a good idea."

"Is it because of your father?"

"Yes."

"I'll miss you."

Draco lifted his head to meet his eyes. "I'll miss you, too."

Draco lost himself in another kiss. Once, he heard Erin singing a song saying that love was a desert. Maybe it was true. Love was wild, unpredictable and savage just like a desert. It was an exhausting journey that seemed to lead nowhere.

He had to put up with so many problems that year because of Harry. Sometimes he felt like the path he was following was meaningless and lonely. He felt helpless, thirsty for love. And after almost burying himself into the sand, helpless and feeling abandon, there was Harry, waving from the distance, smiling at him, making everything right. Harry was the oasis that made the passage through the desert worth it.

"Just be careful and come back to me." Harry pleaded.

"I'll always find my way back to you, Harry. No matter what."

They slept peacefully in each other's arms.