The Road Home

Chap. 12 - EASY TARGET

"It was Zabini."

Harry took a while to process the information and to associate a face with the name but when he finally did, all he wanted to do was to take off on his broom and go straight to where the bastard Blaise Zabini was. Blaise never called his attention, not even after he was a nominee captain of the Slytherin team. He tried hard to remember his countenance. He knew for sure he was a light blond, a little taller than Harry, and had the attitude of a prick. Oh, yes. He was also ten times worse then the Malfoy from the old days. Zabini had picked a fight once with Ron in Potions' class for no reason and if it weren't for Snape's meddling, Ron would have crushed him without mercy.

'I'll kill him.' was the first thought to cross Harry's mind.

"Harry?" Draco's worried voice cut off Harry from his dark thoughts. "What's on your mind right now?"

"Oh, nothing." Harry faked a smile. "I'm cool. I made you a promise, right?"

"Really?" Draco shot him a distrustful look.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I mean, as much as I want to go after Zabini with a shovel and bang it on his head, I won't do it. Because I promised you I wouldn't. Right? I made you a promise."

Harry had to repeat that to himself over and over so he could convince his need for revenge to calm itself down. 'Yeah, I made you a promise. I promised that I wouldn't do anything. I could ask Hermione to cast an Unforgivable curse on him. It's perfect because I wouldn't be interfering directly, which was exactly what I promised. Yeah, Harry, do that and Draco will never speak to you again. But then it would be Hermione's fault, not mine.'

"HARRY? Wake up!" Draco shouted, irritated, a sign that he'd been calling Harry for a while.

"What?" he asked, annoyed.

"You promised, Harry! Remember that!"

"I didn't say anything!"

"Yeah, but I can almost see the black smoke coming out of your head! Stop it, all right? I'm the one that has to take care of Zabini. Alone. And don't do that face! Now, go. Otherwise Creevey will form a search party after you."

Harry sighed deeply and pulled Draco closer to him so they could be face to face.

"If he tries something funny I'll kill him. If he crosses my way I'll kill him. If he-"

"All right, Harry. I get the idea." He buried his hands on Harry's messy black hair. "Thanks for wanting to be my knight in shining armor but I don't need one."

Harry stroked his face gently. "Well, that's me. Harry Potter, everybody's hero. At least that is what Hermione says to me all the time. What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I was watching you play." Draco confessed without thinking.

"You're spying for your team that's more like it." Harry accused.

"I was not! I don't need to spy your lousy poor-excuse of a team, Potter."

"You were checking me out then." Harry provoked him.

"Only in your dreams."

Harry laughed and Draco smiled. They felt stupid, silly, clumsily in love.

Harry cleared his throat, made a solemn face and recited, "I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey. The more I get of you stranger it feels." he looked thoughtful. "This is part of a very beautiful muggle song called 'Kiss from a Rose'. It reminds me of you."

Draco leant towards Harry and kissed him. "I didn't know you were romantic, Potter."

"Stop calling me Potter, Malfoy!" Harry pinched his waist and kissed him back. "Let's meet tonight and I will show you how romantic I can be."

"Why, Mr. Potter, you're also a teaser!"

"For you, Mr. Malfoy, always." Harry said, trying to sound sensual and provocative.

Draco smiled in an extraordinary and adorable way. The image took Harry's breath away.

"You're beautiful." Harry said, looking hypnotized.

"Always the self-confident prick." Harry said in a tender tone of voice.

Draco slid his tongue inside Harry's mouth.

Harry accommodated himself better on the broom so he could hold Draco appropriately. He enfolded the blond boy in his arms and deepened the kiss, starting to lose control of his will. Finally, he parted their lips slowly, as if it was the most difficult task in the world, and stroked Draco's features slightly with the tips of his fingers.

"I know there's a lot more about Zabini that you're not telling me. I won't pressure you to tell me what it is though. But I want you to know that you can trust me, Draco. If we want our relationship to work out, you have to rely on me from now on. We have to be able to share our feelings and thoughts."

Draco's heart was in his throat at hearing this. Since he couldn't trust his voice to speak, he only nodded.

"How are you? Are you feeling all right?" Harry asked, referring to Draco's collapse.

"Yeah, I'm fine. My mother didn't let me leave the bed until I was strong enough."

"Good. She is a wise woman."

"She knows about us." Draco said, adding quickly. "But she was supportive."

Harry pretended to be surprised. "That's good."

"You broke up with Strut." Draco said, his eyes glowing with satisfaction.

"Yes, I did. We have a lot to talk about, haven't we? Can we see each other tonight?"

Draco nodded. "I'll send you a note through Dobby."

"Draco, if Zabini hurts you, I'll personally take care of him."

They kissed each other goodbye and Harry flew away to meet his friends. Only when he was a little dot in the sky Draco remembered that Harry hadn't finished what he was going to say to him about his feelings.

With a sigh full of meaning, he turned around and headed back to the castle.

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

After playing Quidditch with his friends, Harry went to his room with his mind full of dark and sinister thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about Zabini. He kept viewing him kissing Draco and that made his anger increase every second. He almost fell off the broom because he was too focused on that. The promise he had made for Draco was getting harder to keep.

Of course, Draco wasn't defenseless, which was why he didn't want Harry to interfere. But it wasn't easy for Harry to convince his heart to not burst into the Slytherin Common Room right now and break every bone of Zabini's body.

He entered his room quite frustrated and pissed off and he saw Ron kissing Celeste. Sliding down his tongue on her throat was more like it.

"RON? What the hell are you doing?" Harry shouted, looking at them stunned.

Ron pulled away and turned around to face a confused and angry Harry.

"I can explain!" he said.

"We just broke up for Merlin's sake!" he said to Celeste.

"I know Harry. But listen, Celeste was feeling depressed and I was just comforting her."

Harry truly wanted to believe in him because Ron was his best friend, the guy he thought he could count on for everything. But somehow that friendly relationship had changed. Harry wasn't the same person he used to be and neither was Ron. They'd been growing apart from each other since the beginning of the school year. Harry profoundly lamented the fact that he let that happen. Especially after he glanced at Celeste and saw her evil look. A strike of lightning hit him hard when he suddenly understood the meaning behind that look. She was trying to put him against Ron and vice-versa. Remembering some stupid discussions he and Ron had with each other, he realized that Celeste had been directly or indirectly involved in all of them. 'She is toying with us. She failed her mission and now she wants revenge. Plan B, maybe?'

"How long has this been going on?" he asked full of suspicion.

"It's nothing like that!" Ron roared indignant. "This was the first time!"

"Oh, really? Somehow I don't believe that. I thought you were my friend."

Ron's face reddened with anger and embarrassment. "Friend, Harry? And what would you know about what it takes to be somebody's friend? You have been anything but a real friend! You don't talk to me anymore; you don't tell me what's going on inside your head. Ever since Cedric died you have created a world of your own and you don't let anybody enter except perhaps the mysterious person you've been in love with. Am I wrong?"

Celeste raised an eyebrow when she heard that. Harry cursed Ron under his breath. He had just given her a very precious weapon against Harry. What would she do if the truth about him and Draco got out?

Harry was furious with Ron, and that was exactly what Celeste intended. But there was no way he would allow her to destroy the friendship he and Ron shared.

"Sort of. I know I've been distant lately but-"

"No buts, Harry. You seriously disappointed me. The things you said to Celeste. The things you did to her! I can't believe you were capable of doing those things."

"What things?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"WHAT?" That was too much for Harry. He didn't know if he should shake Ron until he came to his senses or burst out laughing madly. "That's absolutely ridiculous! If only you knew. You do realize that this has no consistent basis of evidence! I was nothing but a total gentleman to her! Come on, Ron! You know me better than this!"

"Do I? I honestly don't know what to believe anymore."

"Are you going to throw out five year of friendship over... her?" Harry pointed her out.

"Hey, don't talk about me like I was some sort of a filthy and insignificant insect!" Celeste complained.

"WHAT BLOODY FRIENDSHIP, HARRY? You are the one dating Hermione behind my back!" Ron yelled.

"You lost me completely now! I don't have ANY idea of what you're talking about!" Harry shouted back.

"Don't give me that shit! Everyone told me that you and she were cuddling on the couch of the common room seconds after you broke up with Celeste!"

"Everyone is nuts!"

"Sure they are, Mr. Boy Wonder. Your problem is that you think you can do anything. You think you are better than everybody else."

Harry saw the unshed tears in Ron's eyes and felt his own eyes wet. He bit his lower lip.

"Is that what you think of me?" he asked in a false calm, his voice failing.

Ron turned his back to him but didn't say anything. All this time Celeste hadn't said a word about anything. She just sat there, looking at her nails and bored as hell as if nothing was happening, adjusting a bracelet at her right wrist that had a beautiful stone of a deep blue color.

'Wait a minute. A blue stone? It's the amulet! She's using it against Ron!'

Harry held the impetus of walking towards her and tearing the bracelet away from her wrist.

"You're such a jerk, Ron. Hermione and I are just friends. We are your friends! You and I already went through this before. Remember last year when you thought I had lied to you about the goblet and the tournament? I thought you were never going to speak with me again. But you did and we winded around the whole thing. Or at least I thought we did. I see now that there's still hurt between us. Celeste is not the answer to your problems. Actually, she'll make things ten times worst. Hermione loves you, you blind fool! Are you going to throw her love away, too? Over someone like Celeste?"

"Again, I object to the insulting tone of voice!" Celeste said, indignant.

"She doesn't love me." Ron said referring to Hermione, his voice fading.

"Of course she does. And you should wake up before you lose her."

Ron opened his mouth to speak. Harry had the impression that he was regretting and he was about to apologize but Celeste, noticing the reconciliation in the air, jumped before him and caressed his arms, whispering something - evil, Harry could bet - in his ears. Ron looked at him with pure hatred.

Harry sighed, defeated. "You know what, Ron? I hope you come to your senses. And when you do, I'll be waiting for you, because you're my friend and I love you. But don't take too long. Some wounds never heal. Some damages never repair."

Harry turned around and got out of the room.

"Harry, wait..." whispered Ron.

Ron almost went after him but Celeste held him back.

"Don't think about him, my love. You have me." she said in a melodious tone of voice.

"Yeah. I have you." Ron said, sadly.

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

Draco entered his room carefully, looking for signs of Zabini's presence. Happily, he was nowhere to be found. The only person in the room was Goyle, who was holding a letter in his big hands and had a sad look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked.

"Pansy. I wrote her a love letter and she wrote me back. It's just that the content wasn't exactly what I was expecting." he said with bitterness.

"May I see it?"

Goyle stretched out his arms in Draco's direction and gave him the letter. While Draco read it, Goyle buried his face in his hands.

It was a nasty and very impolite letter. Very... Pansy. Crudely, she wrote that Goyle wasn't the man for her, he was dumb and ridiculous and she wasn't interested at all in him. The terms she used on the letter from that point on got quite heavier. Draco ripped the paper.

"No! What are you doing?" Goyle shouted, kneeling on the floor and picking up the pieces.

"Get up, Goyle! You certainly won't gain her respect crawling for her! Pansy is a waste of time. She's stupid and has no class whatsoever. She's the Slytherin's slut. I heard someone saying that she was hardly worth a shag!"

"SHUT UP!" Goyle jumped in front of him with a threatening look. "Don't talk about her like that! I like her and I think she's the best girl in the whole world!"

Draco stepped back. He wasn't scared of that big guy with a maniac gloom on his eyes. He was just... being cautious by putting some distance between them. Talking the truth about Parkinson hadn't been his brightest idea. Goyle was too blind. Love usually had that effect on people.

"All right. I'm sorry. She's ok, I guess." said Draco trying to be diplomatic.

Goyle sighed. "No, I'm sorry. It's just that... She's everything to me. She's the girl of my dreams, you know?"

'What a poor-lousy dream.' Draco thought. 'At least my dream has the most beautiful jade pair of eyes ever existed. And the most beautiful smile. And the best buttocks. And the best scent in the world, musk and woody-spicy, kind of sandalwood. He exhales warmth. He's strong, sensual and spiritual. Well, the list goes on and on.'

"I love her and one day she'll see it the way I see it and we'll be together."

"Goyle..."

Draco wanted to say to him to stop daydreaming and move on with his life, but he didn't.

"Goyle..." he tried again. "I hope she notices you."

"Thanks, Draco. You have a letter, too. It's near your bed. I don't know who sent it. It was a dark owl who delivered. Do you know who its owner is?"

"I have no idea." Draco headed for his bed and took the folded parchment. "To Draco, the sex-god Slytherin." he read it out aloud. "Well, at least it's from someone with good taste."

"It's one of your admirers." Goyle provoked him.

Draco smirked. "Lately my 'admirers' are giving me nothing but a tremendous headache."

"Do you like someone, Draco? I mean, do you love someone like I love Pansy?"

Draco answered while unfolding the parchment. "Love is a waste of time, Goyle."

"No, it's not." he replied annoyed.

"Whatever." he said distractedly, reading the note.

'Meet me tonight at the library. 11pm. We have some unfinished business to take care of.

B.Z.'

B.Z. Blaise Zabini. Draco thought it was weird to hear from him so soon since he said he would give him time to think about things. It was just like Blaise to change his mind every two seconds. It was fine by Draco. He would have to cancel with Harry - which was the last thing he wanted to do - but he would have the opportunity to resolve that thing with Zabini once and for all.

Harry would be pissed but he would have to understand.

"Who is it from?" asked Goyle curiously.

"No one."

"Oh, you mean that it's from a secret admirer?"

"No, I...forget it. It's no one important."

"Ok. Would you help me writing a poem to Pansy? You're really good at this shit."

Draco sighed. "Yes, sure. Let me just write something else first."

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

'Harry, sorry but I won't be able to meet you tonight. Something else came up. I'll explain it all to you later. Yours, D.' Harry read it for the fifteenth time.

Harry squashed the piece of paper and sighed frustrated. Draco was up to something and he betted there was something to do with Zabini. He would find out what it was or his name wasn't Harry Potter.

He bit his lower lip. If Draco was going to meet Zabini alone Harry would personally kill him afterwards for being so stupid. Besides, he promised Sirius to watch out for the other boy. That was the perfect excuse for breaking Draco's promise. If they were boyfriends now, they should share everything, including the right to kick Zabini's ass.

He quickly got out of bed and looked at the clock. It was precisely eleven pm. Since he had been waiting all night for Draco's note, he was dressed up in jeans and his favorite red T-shirt. He put on his black cloak, shoved his wand in its pocket and got the Marauder's Map and his Invisibility cloak. He paid attention to every breath in the room to see if all of his roommates were sleeping and then he sneaked out.

Once out of the Gryffindor's dorm, he took the Marauder's Map and pointed his wand at it.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." he muttered.

Right away he looked for the labeled dot with Draco's name but only saw Filch walking on the trophy room chasing after Peeves, who was bouncing around it and knocking an armour onto the floor. McGonagall and Snape were inside the dungeons. Harry wondered what they were doing there together so late at night. Snape and McGonagall? He couldn't even think about it. He usually spotted Dumbledore on the map but the Headmaster was nowhere to be found.

"Show me where Draco Malfoy is." he ordered the map.

Instantly, he saw dot-Draco almost close to the library and something following him. All he could see was a black dot walking after Draco very slowly but the map was having trouble naming it.

"What the fuck." he muttered.

For Harry, that could only mean one thing. If an unnamed 'dot' was walking in the interior of the castle, it had to be something connected with the Dark Arts. Quickly, he ran downstairs wishing more than ever to be able to Apparate. Then he realized what a stupid idea that was. Even if he knew how to do it, it was a common knowledge - at least for those who read Hogwarts, a History, like Hermione - that no one could Apparate inside the castle.

He was almost out of breath when he finally reached the library. He noticed that inside was dark and dead silent. Was he too late? There was no time to lose. He entered the library and was engulfed by the darkness.

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

Draco entered the library with the strange feeling of being followed. Of course, since he was there to meet Zabini, it was probably him, trying to scare the hell out of Draco. He sighed. Zabini was so childish. He was attractive - Draco had to admit that - but only with his mouth shut.

He sat down at a large puffy chair and he heard a growl behind him. He quickly stood up, wand in hand, searching for the origin of the sound. He walked around the bookshelves, trying to see something or someone through the darkness.

"It's not bloody funny, Zabini." he said.

When he turned around a corner, he saw a black shadowy shape a few meters away, almost hovering on him like a Grim. A screech got stuck on his throat. He backed away when the figure advanced in his direction with a wand raised.

"Draco, stop!" the black figure shouted. "Don't move!"

"What?" he froze on the spot, way too stunned to do anything else. He knew that voice.

A flash of lightning came through the window, illuminating the person for a second, enough for Draco to see who it was. He let out a surprised yell. It was Harry, holding his wand firmly and pointing it at him. He had a weird and scary look on his face. Draco's heart stopped.

"Harry, what-"

"Don't - move." he said extremely serious, coming closer with light and careful steps.

Draco's breathe accelerated. Harry wouldn't hurt him, would he? Of course not! Then why was he looking at him like that? Thousands of different theories crossed his mind. Maybe Zabini and Harry were lovers and Harry was jealous of the other boy. Or maybe Harry had been just playing around with him. He could almost feel his heart being ripped out of him.

"Or what? You'll throw a curse at me?" Draco asked sneering, pretending not to care.

"I don't think you should talk either." Harry muttered, biting his lower lip and getting near.

Draco gulped. Harry had such a cold and determinate look. He only saw Harry looking that dangerous in a few occasions. As much as it hurt for Draco to do it, he pointed his wand at him, trying not to tremble.

"Stop right there, Potter."

"What!?" the green eyes sparkled with confusion. "What are you doing?"

Draco's gesture had broken his concentration and now Harry looked completely lost.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked, puzzled.

Before Harry could answer, a threatening growl came from behind Draco's back. He turned to see what it was and saw a large creature taking propulsion to jump on him.

"DRACO, GET DOWN!" Harry cried.

Draco immediately dropped to the floor. The creature jumped, ready to attack him.

"IMPEDIMENTA!" shouted Harry.

The creature only had time to exhibit its large and sharp tooth before falling down thanks to Harry's impediment jinx.

"You're going to be the death of me, Potter." Draco said after a moment of silence, pulling himself together and arranging his clothes.

"What are you talking about? I just saved your sorry ass!" Harry replied, irritated.

"Really? After almost giving me a goddamn heart attack!? FUCK, POTTER! I thought you were going to kill me!"

"Oh, please, don't be ridiculous! Don't be such a baby, Malfoy."

"What did you expect when I turned around and see you pointing your wand at me!?"

"The same thing that I felt when you pointed your wand at me!"

"Well, you pointed it at me first. I was just defending myself!"

"How could you think I would attack you?"

"I don't know! Why didn't you say that there was a very odd and scary creature behind me? Why didn't you warn me instead of doing this suspense hero act? For Merlin's sake!"

Draco got near the creature and muttered 'Lumus' to have a proper look at it. The 'thing' was reddish-brown, with a low slung body and five legs, each of which ended in a clubfoot. He raised an eyebrow.

"What the hell is this?" he asked to Harry.

"It's a Quintaped. Have you ever paid any attention in Hagrid's classes at all?"

"Not really. I mean, what for? He's just a goof..." Harry shot him a murderous look and he amended. "... wise and misunderstood half-giant?"

Harry rolled his eyes.

"This is one of the most dangerous beasts of the magical community. It's carnivorous."

"It's not that dangerous since you could stun him with an impediment jinx."

"Well, you see, there is this little problem. The jinx it's not that effective." Harry explained, embarrassed. "It doesn't last too long, just the time for us to run off."

The creature opened its eyes slightly and let out a weak growl.

"I would suggest that we run while we can." Harry said.

"Well, Potter, that's bloody brilliant! Never ask a Gryffindor to do a Slytherin's job!"

"Fuck you. Besides, you didn't ask me to do anything. I did it on my own free will to save you, you ungrateful bastard! If I hadn't showed up, you'd be dead by now."

Draco shrugged, pulling a face. Harry stuck out his tongue at him. The Quintaped roared.

"So, we should run." Draco stated, looking at the Quintaped, which was rapidly recovering himself.

"Yes, we definitely should run."

They stood for a moment looking to each other and then started to run away like crazy from there. As they ran, Draco started to feel dizzy and out of breath caused by the effort. It was one of the side-effects of the Cruciatus curse - his strength would take a while to get back to normal. He was still weak because of it. But they couldn't stop until they were safe and far away from the Quintaped.

Finally, noticing his tiredness, Harry grabbed his hand and opened the first door he saw.

"Don't you think we should tell anyone about the creature?" Draco asked, observing Harry locking the door. He put a hand on his chest, feeling his heart thumping fast. "I mean, if it's dangerous and all..."

"Let Filch handle it. With all the noise we caused, I bet he's in the library already."

"That's not very Gryffindor of you, Harry. What if he doesn't find it? What if-"

"All right. Wait a second."

Harry took out the Marauder's map from inside his pocket. He saw dot-Snape and dot-Filch trying to tame the beast while dot-McGonagall and dot-Hagrid headed to help them.

"You see?" he showed the map to Draco and pointed his finger at the dot-beast, now named as Quintaped, which was being cornered by all the teachers. "They are taking care of it."

Draco didn't say anything. He was too busy looking at Harry's map with his mouth entirely open. He took the map from Harry's hand and inspected it carefully. He was amazed by it.

"So, this is how you found me." he said.

Harry nodded. "It's called the Marauder's map. It shows all of Hogwarts' grounds."

"It's incredible! How did you get it?"

"It's a very long story." Draco made a face and he added. "Let's just say that I got it from the Weasley twins."

"That figures!"

Draco gave the map back to Harry, who erased it and put it back on his pocket. They stared at each other, unsure of what to say after all the action they were involved in. Draco was scared of what Harry would say about the whole thing, especially about Zabini and the fact that he apparently tried to kill him. Apparently to Harry, because Draco wasn't so sure that Zabini was guilty of that. Draco had been careless, he admitted. He had done something he wasn't supposed to. He had broken a very important family rule, the first rule his father taught him a long time ago, something that should be his motto: never underestimate an enemy.

"You know, you may as well be wearing a tag behind your back that says: Please, kill me." Harry commented bitterly.

He deserved that. He knew he deserved even worse. But he was a Malfoy and his anger was starting to increase to a dangerous level. Malfoys didn't apologize for their actions. Never.

"I didn't think Zabini was capable of such a thing." he excused himself.

"What the fuck is that suppose to mean, Draco? The guy kissed you without your consent! I don't know how to react about this. I'm feeling totally lost. Are you attracted to him, is that it?"

"Oh, come on, Harry! He just wants me. I doubt he wants to kill me. I'm not defending him or anything like that!" he said right away when he noticed Harry's face becoming red with rage. "What he did was wrong, but I kind of feel sympathy for him. I know what is like to want something so badly and not having it."

"That's bullshit, Draco! Just because you crave for someone doesn't mean it gives you the right to force yourself on that person. It's just wrong. Would you force yourself on me?"

"Never, Harry. How can you ask me this?"

"Well, you just said-"

"That was different! Besides, I told you already! I don't like Zabini I just feel sorry for him, that's all. I like you! There's only room for one person in my heart and that person is you."

"You disarmed me completely now, you sexy-prick!" Harry said, his voice failing. "Don't say things like that unless you mean it."

Draco sighed and put his hair back with his left hand.

"Of course I mean it, Harry." he said, moving towards Harry. "Don't you know how much you mean to me? You are my reason to be! You are the reason of my existence."

Harry gulped, his eyes shining brightly with unshed tears.

In a second, Harry's mouth claimed his and they started a tongues' duel. Harry pushed him against the wall and Draco wrapped his arms around him. Soon, their cloaks were just a pile on the floor. Harry ran a finger down his chest, sliding a hand under his shirt and caressing him softly, rubbing Draco's nipples in such a gentle way Draco let out a low moan.

He thought he would die of pleasure. Their kiss became more ravenous. Draco wasn't even bothered by the cut on his lower lip. All he wanted was Harry all over him. They were so entangled that it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended.

Harry backed away a little to see inside Draco's eyes. His pupils were dilated, burning with desire. They were dark-silver, intense and highly erotic. Harry moaned. He also noticed the charming freckles on Draco's face thanks to a lighted torch above them.

"You're so beautiful." he muttered to himself, dazzled.

Draco unzipped his jeans carefully and slowly and stroked Harry's manhood. Harry exposed his neck by throwing his head back and Draco tasted it first with his tongue and then with his mouth by placing light bites all over it. Harry felt weak on his knee and Draco held him, preventing him from falling and helping him steady.

They lay down on the floor lost in pleasure. Draco's tumescence was showing clearly under his trouser and he opened up the fly, releasing it. Their manhood touched, making them moan loudly. Harry pulled Draco against his body and on top of him, deepening their kiss.

Harry touched Draco's waist pulling him closer. They lost the sense of time, space, life. All that mattered was that magic moment they were creating together. The swinging of their wet tongues was followed by the intense rhythm of their rocking bodies. Draco came, speaking Harry's name very softly. He buried his head on Harry's shoulder and felt Harry's hands on him gripping his body urgently. Harry felt himself drowning and he held Draco even more tightly. He was his lifeboat.

Harry cried his name almost with desperation. After the moment of ecstasy, they held each other for a while, waiting for their hearts to settle down, touching each other's skin every now and then. Harry caressed Draco's hair and kissed his forehead.

"Wow." Draco whispered. "That was so much better than a good jerk off."

Harry laughed. "God, Malfoy. That was so not romantic!"

Draco giggled. "Well, you were too serious. I just wanted to light things up a little."

Harry smiled, running a finger on Draco's back and making him shiver with desire again.

"I wish we could stay like this for the rest of our lives." Draco said dreamily.

"What are you talking about? I don't want to be covered in dust for the rest of my life. Look at this place! It seems like no one cleaned it in years." Harry joked.

"Ouch! That hurt!" complained Harry.

"Oh, poor Harry. So helpless and defenseless! Since I'm merciful, I'll give you a kiss."

"Who said I want a kiss?" Harry said just before Draco lifted his red T-shirt and kissed his belly. He moaned.

"You were saying...?" Draco provoked him with a grin.

"Never mind, just keep doing that."

"What? This?" he took Harry's manhood in his mouth, eliciting a moan of surprise and shock.

Harry bucket his hips involuntarily. The feeling of that wet tongue and lips running along his shaft were driving him mad. Draco mercilessly savored him, sensing Harry's body trembling under his own and jerking violently. Harry came for the second time that night, followed by a very aroused Draco. When he was finally done, Harry took a while to recover himself.

"Have you ever done this before?" he asked Draco suspiciously.

"No, of course not. I never did it with anyone. Just once." Harry's eyes narrowed forming a thin line and Draco added quickly. "I mean, someone did this to me once. It was a girl."

"Oh."

"It was Pansy, all right? She looked like a fish, it was disgusting... Can we drop the subject, please? It's making me sick." he said annoyed, sitting on the floor.

"I didn't say anything!"

"I know, but you keep looking at me with your big accusing green eyes, like I betrayed you or something, making me feel uncomfortable and totally out of place. At the time I thought it was a good and satisfactory experience. But it was only a one-time thing. She said she was in love with me afterwards and then I realized the mistake I made. I wasn't in love with her. I was already in love with you."

Harry sat by his side, raising Draco's chin so their eyes could be in the same level.

"You don't have to explain what you did before we were together."

Draco nodded. They kissed softly.

"I have something for you." Harry said against his mouth.

"Really?" Draco was totally caught by surprise.

"Yes." Harry took a small black box from one of his pockets and gave it to Draco.

Draco opened it with his hands shaking a little and took a beautiful silver ring in the shape of a snake, which had two small green stones as eyes. He exclaimed a 'Wow', bewildered. Harry placed the ring in his annular finger and kissed it. The green eyes of the snake shone brightly and so did Draco's eyes.

"When I first saw it, it instantly reminded me of you." Harry explained.

"It's beautiful, Harry. Thanks." Draco passed his arms around him, kissing him hard.

"This is nothing compared to the silver stone you gave me to save me from Celeste."

Draco stared at him totally stunned. "How did you know about that?"

"Hermione told me. I can't believe I was so blind. But I have something to confess to you."

"What? As long as you're not mad at me for keeping that from you, it's fine by me."

"I was never in love with her. Not even with her amulet trying to control my feelings. I was never in love with her because I was in love with you. So, maybe you should take it back."

"Take back what? The silver stone I gave you?" Harry nodded. "No way, Harry. It was my gift for you. I want you to use it. Even if her amulet couldn't control your feelings there was still the fact that it made you weak that time you passed out. You're keeping it."

"But Draco, you're not immune to her amulet anymore."

"I don't care."

"But Draco-"

"Shush! I can take care of myself, I told you already."

"Right. Like the way you did today in the library?"

"Don't start."

"Don't start!? Ha! If you want to play the role of the cold Slytherin bastard just forget it! I-"

Draco cut him off with an out of breath kiss.

"No, let me finish." Harry backed away, irritated but slightly dizzy. "I saw inside your m-"

Draco kissed him again, this time successfully making him melt and moan.

"You ain't so tough, Draco. I saw your bad memories. I saw what's inside you." Harry said when their lips parted, to Draco's distress.

"Don't spoil the moment, Potter." he threatened.

"You don't scare me, Malfoy. Besides, I know your secret identity."

They stared into each other's eyes for a long time, silently telling one another to give up.

"I don't have just bad memories." Draco was the first to speak. "I mean, Father and I shared some good moments, whether you believe it or not. He was the one who taught me to fly."

"He was also the one that almost destroyed you when he killed your puppy."

Draco stood up, zipping up his trouser and hiding from Harry what was showing in his eyes. Harry rose up also, zipping his up jeans and standing by his side, touching his arms gently.

"No, that's ok. You're totally right. I liked Harpy. I got him from the only decent Malfoy ever existed on this planet. His name was Caesar. He was my father's brother. Father never liked him. He used to say Uncle Caesar was too soft, a disgrace to the Malfoy family. When my father saw Harpy, he already knew who gave him to me. This was the reason for killing him. He didn't want me to be like my uncle."

"What happen to him?"

"He was killed. I never knew how or why, but I have some theories about it."

"I'm so sorry, Draco."

Draco turned around and hugged him. "I won't cry, Potter. You won't make me cry."

"It's ok." Harry said, kissing his cheek. Then he joked. "I bet you would've raised Harpy to attack innocent and defenseless muggles anyway."

"NO! God, you're so cruel! Are you sure the Sorting Hat didn't put you to the wrong house?"

Harry didn't say anything. He was lost in memories of his first year, when the Sorting Hat had doubts about where to put him. He could be in Slytherin if he wasn't so eager to not become one. A year later Dumbledore told him that the fact that he didn't want to be sorted into Slytherin already disqualified him as a Slytherin. But Harry still had doubts.

"Harry? What's wrong?" Draco asked.

"Nothing. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About the fact that you would raise Harpy to attack muggles! I know you, Malfoy!"

"No way!" Draco said indignant. "Well, maybe. I mean, I wouldn't raise him to be a killer but he would be trained to chase after anyone if I ordered him to."

"Tsk, tsk. See? I was right." Draco stuck out his tongue at him. "Who puts a name like that on a dog, anyway? I mean, I know a little about Greek mythology and Harpy is a monster that snatches anything - food, objects and people - to eat them, I think!"

"My point exactly."

"Yeah, and I'm the cruel one."

Draco smiled and so did Harry.

"And still I can't live without you" Harry sneered, making Draco giggle.

"Hey, what's that?" Draco asked, walking towards a big mirror placed against a wall on the back of the room.

Harry looked at it, not believing his eyes. He'd been so distracted by Draco that he didn't notice the room they were in at all. It was a large room, full of old furniture covered in dust and white sheets. On the back of the room was the Mirror of Erised.

"I can't believe it!" Harry said, running at its direction with a big grin.

"What? What's this?" Draco asked for the second time.

"It's the Mirror of Erised!"

"What does it do?"

"You don't know?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked you, moron."

Harry bit his lower lip, an idea forming inside his brain. "Have a look at it."

Draco stared at him, detecting a catch in the air. He wasn't a coward though. Whatever test Harry was pulling on him, he would face it without blinking. He stood in front of the mirror and looked at it intently. He raised an eyebrow.

"All right, Potter. What's the catch?"

"Tell me what you're seeing." asked Harry behind him.

"I only see us."

"What?" Harry looked at him astonished.

It was clear to Draco that his answer wasn't what Harry expected.

"Are you telling me the truth, Draco?"

"Yes, why would I lie? I only see us standing right here. What should I be seeing?"

Harry didn't answer.

"Harry?" Draco turned to face him.

Without warning, he came near Draco with his eyes glowing dangerously and kissed him in a way that made Draco's knee weakened.

"Well, Potter, if I knew sooner that mirrors had this kind of effect on you I-"

Harry shut his mouth with another starving kiss.

"What else did you see? About us, I mean."

"I told you the truth, Harry. I only saw us. I suspect by your reaction that this is a magical mirror of some sort. What is it suppose to show me?"

"The deepest desires of your soul."

"Ow...OW!" Draco looked at the mirror again and blushed.

Harry found that adorable. "What are you seeing now?"

"Still us, doing... stuff together."

"What kind of stuff."

Draco reddened even more. "We are making love."

Harry smiled, caressing his face tenderly.

"What about you?" Draco asked him.

"When I found it in my first year, I saw my parents."

"And now?"

"I see them." Harry said emotionally, his eyes flickering with melancholy but also happiness.

"Oh, that's good." Draco said, trying to cover his disappointment.

"And I see you right next to them." Harry extended his hand and Draco caught it, squeezing it. Draco kissed him, speechless. "I was thinking... You cannot go back to your dorm. Not after what happened at the library. It's too dangerous for you to be with Zabini in the same room."

"What do you suggest?"

"That we talk to Dumbledore, Snape or Erin. Anyone, as long as you don't have to go back to your dorm tonight. Maybe you can stay with me."

"You're dreaming too high, Harry. But I would love to wake up by your side."

"Let's go then." he said, grinning.

They opened the door holding hands and Harry looked at the map to see where they were. It was then that he spotted a big commotion at the Hospital Wing. Most of the staff of the castle was there, walking quickly from one side to another. He saw unfamiliar names labeled and to his surprise he saw Sirius's name as well.

"What is going on?" he asked to himself.

Draco looked over his shoulder. "I don't know. But I have a bad feeling about this."

They went to the infirmary almost running. When they entered the room, they noticed that the beds were all taken by injured people in different levels of pain. It was like entering in a war movie. Harry's heart clutched. Where was Sirius?

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy! What in Merlin's name are you two doing here?" asked a very tired and worried McGonagall.

"What happened? Where's Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked urgently.

"I'm here, Harry. Please, Minerva, can you assist Poppy while I talk to them?"

"Sure, Albus."

Dumbledore took them to a quiet corner, away from the chaos.

"May I ask gentlemen, what are doing up so late at night?"

"I'm sorry Headmaster, but it's a long story. Blaise Zabini somehow let in a Quintaped and the beast almost killed Draco. I don't think it's safe for Draco to return to his dorm tonight. I think Zabini is trying to kill him. Then I wanted to ask your permission to let Draco sleep in my dorm."

"Oh, so the Quintaped was work of Mr. Zabini. Are you sure about this, Harry?"

"Well, I-"

"No, Sir. We are not sure. Someone sent me a note signed by Zabini, but maybe it was just another trap like the one that lead me into the forest that other time." Draco cut Harry off.

"This is very serious matters, boys. Unfortunately, there's too much going on today. But I can promise you that this will be extensively investigated. Harry, I'm sorry to say this, but Draco cannot stay in your dorm. It's too dangerous, not to mention careless. But I can arrange another accommodation for him. I'll talk to Severus as soon as I can. He's quite busy right now."

"Can I stay with Draco, sir?" asked Harry.

"I'll have to say no to that, Harry. Last time you didn't sleep in your room, Hermione and Ron worried a lot about you. This may call too much attention to yourselves. You can see each other in the morning. Classes start tomorrow."

"Right." Harry said disappointed. "What happened here, sir?"

"A terrible thing, Harry. I suppose this will be at front page of the Daily Prophet tomorrow so there's no point in hiding it from you. Voldemort attacked Azkaban tonight. He released most of the prisoners and some of the Dementors already took his side. We tried to prevent him and this is the result. Some of them are seriously injured."

"What about Sirius?" Harry asked urgently, trying to keep his voice down.

"He's fine. Just light wounds. You can go to bed now, Harry. We have the situation under control. And as for you Mr. Malfoy, you can stay a little longer and wait for Severus if you want to, or I can ask Minerva to take care of you."

"I'll wait, sir. You can go, Harry. I'll be fine. We'll talk tomorrow."

Harry looked at him restraining the urge to kiss him goodbye. He muttered 'bye', held Draco's hand briefly and went away. Draco sighed and asked to Dumbledore if there was something he could do to help. The Headmaster stared at him with admiration. He took Draco to assist Snape, who was brewing a very complicated anti-poison potion. Draco was surprised when he saw him. He was far from being the scary Snape everyone was afraid of. He was tired and deadly pale. When Draco turned around, he saw Erin lying unconscious in one of the beds. She had been poisoned. It was then that he understood Professor Snape's lousy appearance.