Transition

~ Chapter Twenty-nine: Teachers and Lovers ~

Monday, 7th September 1998.

He really wanted to continue sleeping. He did not really want to get up for work. He just wanted to stay in bed and snuggle against his brooding, handsome-looking Harry. The fact that he was pleasantly warm made him quite reluctant to climb out of bed.

"Time to get ready, love," Harry said softly in his ear. Draco made a contented noise when Harry kissed his cheek tenderly.

He opened his eyes slowly and stared into the pair of smoldering green eyes. "Good morning, Harry," Draco greeted and kissed Harry politely on the lips.

Harry Potter smiled crookedly. "Draco, this Saturday, I don't want to get out of bed before ten in the morning."

Draco grinned. "My thought exactly." He clambered out of bed and stretched, then yelped when fingers poked his waist. It definitely drove the sleepiness away from his system. "Harry..." He rolled his eyes in exasperation and looked out of the window.

Harry hugged him from behind and he obligingly squeezed the arms that enveloped him. "I guess we'd better wash up now."

"Uhmmm."

As they had done for the past nine days, they squeezed themselves into the Jacuzzi right after they had brushed their teeth. By the time they were dressed, an hour had passed from the moment they were awake.

"Love, can you pass me those scrolls?" Harry asked him.

Draco gathered the scrolls and peered at them curiously. "What are all these?" he asked inquisitively. They look like drawings of something.

"They're pictures of Dark Creatures," Harry replied.

Draco looked at Harry archly as he handed them over. "Are you certain that your students won't run screaming out of your classroom?"

"I'm teaching the fourteen year-olds today. No babies." Then Harry gave him a thoughtful look. "Draco, come here."

He was bewildered but approached his lover nonetheless. What?" He shifted on his feet nervously; Harry looked at him gravely.

"Draco." Harry's expression was still serious. "Kiss me."

He cursed and pinched Harry for giving him a fright.

"Owww – ouch! Okay! Okay!" Harry yelped. "I'm sorry!"

"You nit! You almost frightened me! I thought something was wrong!" Draco pinched his boyfriend again.

Then Draco gasped as Harry pinned him against the wall. His lover was giving him a unique look that always made him feel ... peculiar. It was a pleasant sensation, but it was frightening at the same time.

"Harry?"

"You still haven't kissed me," Harry murmured against his lips and Draco surrendered.

His lips parted and he raked his tongue over Harry's. It elicited a low groan from his boyfriend, and Draco kissed Harry hungrily and passionately. At some point, Harry clung onto him heavily and he quickly reversed their positions.

"Harry," Draco breathed, and tightened his fingers on Harry's hips. "I love you so much."

"Ummm..." Harry did not reply but kissed him back enthusiastically.

Draco reluctantly broke away from the kiss. He caressed Harry's cheeks with his thumbs while he stared into the lustful eyes. "We'll continue this later when we get home," he said.

"I think I got more than I could handle," Harry said shakily.

Draco smiled roguishly. "Be careful what you wish for, my love." Then he kissed the tip of Harry's nose. "Time to feed our pets," he said after a quick glance at the clock.

~*~

Harry smiled as he scratched Hedwig all over. Only when she nipped him on the finger gently did he stop. At that same moment Draco called out, "Harry, you'd better stop pampering your owl and eat something."

"Coming!" he answered and patted Hedwig's head one more time before getting up.

When he entered the kitchen, he laughed. The scene in the area was quite comical. Draco stood on one side and munched on a toast. Bluestone too was eating his breakfast – or he was trying to eat.

"Elaviel, why won't you let your husband have his breakfast?" Harry asked curiously.

"It's all your fault," Starkmind murmured and continued to kiss Bluestone's neck.

Harry snorted and lathered some butter on his toast. "My fault? Half an hour has passed since Draco and I kissed. Maybe it's just you."

"When was the last time you coupled?" Draco queried Starkmind in a calm tone.

"Last week?" Starkmind replied uncertainly.

"Two weeks, Elaviel," Bluestone growled and drank his tea in one gulp.

Harry gaped. "Then you can't blame us for making you horny!"

"You, and you," Bluestone spoke in a harsh voice. "Eat your breakfast outside. Now."

Something in the Veela's voice told Harry that he had better make himself scarce. Evidently, Draco felt the same way, but he calmly walked past Bluestone to collect the breakfast tray. Then he exited from the kitchen gracefully. Harry paused at the doorway and glanced at the other couple. Bluestone's demeanor indicated that he was not pleased with his husband at all. Harry quickly joined Draco in the living room.

"Scary, isn't he?" Draco mouthed and handed him a cup of strong tea.

"Why is he angry?" Harry whispered.

"Aggravated more like. He was his usual self, until Elaviel started to grope him while he was trying to eat," Draco said.

Grope? Harry spluttered and coughed. "Surely you are exaggerating."

"I'm only telling you what I saw." Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "But why are they restraining themselves? They can't be shy about doing it when we're around, right?"

"I don't know." They concentrated on their breakfast and ate in silence. They lingered uncertainly in the living room, until Draco sighed and stood. The Slytherin lifted the tray and started for the kitchen.

"Draco..." Harry hissed urgently.

"It should be all right, love."

Harry followed Draco with his eyes anxiously, and knew something was wrong when his boyfriend froze. He stood up and quickly strode over to Draco's side. "What's –" He snapped his mouth shut and blushed furiously once he saw what the other couple were doing.

Bluestone and Starkmind were kissing – that was innocent enough, but their hands were quite ... busy. Harry, feeling somewhat stunned, pulled Draco back to the living room. Draco looked just as dazed, and Harry helped him set the tray back on the coffee table. He shook Draco slightly.

"Draco, love, it's too early to enjoy voyeurism," he said seriously. That seemed to break his lover's trance.

"I didn't know you know what that word means," Draco answered meekly. "I think we should head to the school first."

"All right, but what about dinner? Our classes will end earlier than theirs."

"I managed to discuss with Bluestone earlier. We can prepare spaghetti and potato pie for dinner."

"I guess that's fine then." Harry checked his watch – it was nearly eight. "Do you want to go now?"

Draco nodded and they took their belongings and materials. Usually, they walked, or flew to the centre. That morning they had planned to walk, but it seemed that they would not be able to perform that ritual. Harry was the first person to step out of the house, and hence he was the first to see the strange, violet-eyed horse.

"What in the hell?" Draco muttered under his breath.

The stallion was staring avidly at Harry. Then it tossed its head and pawed its hoof impatiently.

"It can't be serious," Draco said in a flat voice. "Harry, I don't fancy breaking my neck on the way to school."

"Good morning, Harry, Draco."

Harry was not surprised when Vine materialized unexpectedly astride on one of his own mounts.

"Good morning, sir," the younger wizards greeted in unison.

"Go ahead and ride Stachrin. He won't be happy unless you do. And I mean both of you," Vine said cheerfully. "Where are Bluestone and Elaviel?"

Harry exchanged a quick look with Draco.

"They're still having their breakfast, Professor," Draco replied convincingly.

"Ah. We'd better make our move first."

"So, Draco, do you want to ride pillion?" Harry asked while he secured their belongings on the horse. Draco just shrugged. Harry mounted Stachrin fearlessly, and Draco settled behind him cautiously.

"You two look like naturals," Vine remarked. "Remember to hold on tight." Then he vanished.

"Fancy that. We're Apparating on horses," Draco mumbled.

Harry smiled inwardly and relished the feel of Draco's hands on his waist. All right – I'll admit it to myself. I like to be touched, and I am absolutely in heaven when a certain Slytherin cuddles me. "Ready?" he asked Draco.

"Yes."

Harry tapped his heels on Stachrin's flanks and felt the muscles beneath him bunch up. Then they were off, and Harry held on to the horse as though it was a racing broom. He watched everything around him through narrowed eyes. He looked down and could almost swear that Stachrin's hooves did not touch the ground as it galloped. The peculiar horse slowed when they were within sight of the building. Things were not as blurry as Stachrin lost speed.

Harry could see that Vine stood by his horse in the distance, and was stroking the creature's mane. Stachrin's gallop gradually turned into a canter, and finally, it stopped beside its kind. Draco gasped softly when he got down from the horse. Harry quickly dismounted and saw that Draco was clutching at his right knee.

"Are you all right?" he asked Draco with a concerned tone.

"Yes, I'm fine. I shall remember not to jump," Draco reassured him. "Thank you for the ride, Stachrin," Draco said directly to the horse, much to Harry's amazement. "And thank you, Professor."

"There's no need to thank me, Draco. Like I said, it is Stachrin who offered you a ride," Vine said hastily.

Harry blinked and studied his amethyst-eyed mentor. "You're a Parselmouth to horses?" Vine stared at him nervously.

"Well, I am a Parselmouth, but Stachrin and Avnach aren't exactly horses," Vine mumbled. "They're –"

"You don't have to tell us, sir," Draco interrupted. "We'll find the truth about them on our own, so you won't get into trouble if they happen to be a forbidden breed of some sort." Harry saw the Slytherin give a thoughtful look at the horses. "I hope what I'd said had not offended them."

My, my. Draco certainly has changed. I'm glad he has a bit of manners to non-humans now, Harry thought. He studied Vine, who looked preoccupied.

"No, they are not, Draco," Vine answered and from the way his eyes sparkled, something must have made him amused. The older wizard grinned suddenly.

"Do I want to ask what they told you, sir?" Draco queried.

"Ah ... not really, Draco," Vine said mischievously.

"All right." Draco nodded and looked wistfully at Harry. "Well, I'd better report to Professor Reed, Harry," Draco said in mock resignation. "I'll see you at lunchtime."

"Cheer up, l-Draco."

"Easy for you to say, but I think some cauldrons are going to blow up."

"It can't be that bad," Harry said with a faint smile. From the corner of his eye, he saw Vine pat his horses on the neck in turns, and the creatures trotted away. The three wizards entered the centre and the murmurs of conversation from the hall reached their ears.

"It will be bad. Anyway, have a good time scaring the teenagers."

"Draco..." Harry looked pained. "I'm a teenager myself, you know."

His boyfriend chuckled and squeezed his arm slightly. They separated, and Harry watched as Draco sauntered down the staircase that led to the basement. Harry gave Vine a quick glance.

"Sir, will the students run out of the classroom?" he asked worriedly.

"I don't think so, Harry." Vine chuckled. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless one of them unintentionally causes the sketches to come alive," Vine said meekly.

Harry froze at the stairway and stared at Vine in silence. He blinked, and then forced his legs to move. When they reached the second-floor landing, he started to laugh. "I keep forgetting the fact that they are special children," he said ruefully.

Mentor and assistant made their way to the huge classroom, all the while chortling to themselves.

~*~

An hour before lunchtime.

Draco took a deep breath three times. Although his face was a mask of cold indifference, his temples were pounding and he was swearing passionately in his heart. Earlier, when Reed told him that he was going to be in charge of only five students, he was relieved. However, he had to accept that no matter the size or age of the group, something would always go wrong during Potions practical sessions.

Icy, grey eyes flickered over to the student that had accidentally dropped an entire jar of crows' feet into another student's cauldron. While the others had fled into the back of the class because of the unpleasant smell that had resulted after the accident, Boron remained where he stood. At Draco's unwavering gaze, the boy hung his head down in shame.

"Rey," Draco started and the students jumped at his voice. "Open the door and get back to your places. Lancer – you take over Boron's potions." He drew out his wand and strode over to Lancer's cauldron. He tapped on the rim once, and the botched potion vanished. Then he stared hard at Boron.

"Mister Boron, trot on down to the storeroom and ask Professor Reed for another jar of crows' feet. Tell him that I have misplaced the first," he instructed in a feigned, mild tone. I think Harry will definitely say something about this.

Boron returned with the jar, and he looked quite petrified. Draco wondered what Reed had told the boy to cause much distress. He quickly grabbed the bottle from unsteady hands, and twisted the cap. He offered the contents to Lancer, who then picked a pair of crow's feet. His student added the last ingredient to the bubbling concoction, and a minute later, the liquid turned into something that resembled ink.

"Good," Draco said to Lancer. "Now, carefully put some of your samples into those vials and those bottles. Label them with your names, and keep all of them inside cabinet number two. The potion has to be left alone for a week before it becomes effective Doxycide." He glanced at Boron. "Meet me in my office after lunch. You do have two free periods after it, am I correct?"

"Yes, sir," his student mumbled.

"I'll see you then. You're dismissed," he told Boron. Then he went on to supervise the rest of his students.

After the rest of the students were sent away, he started to clean the classroom and made sure each of the used cauldrons were residue-free. He was checking the last cauldron when he felt that he was being spied on.

"What happened to the first jar, Draco?" Reed asked quietly.

"I simply misplaced it, sir."

"Oh?"

Draco heard a slight rustle and glanced over his shoulder briefly. Just as he had thought, the somber-faced wizard was sitting on top of a student's desk.

"Then have you found it?"

"I'm sure I will. An hour after lunch time probably."

"Indeed?"

"Yes, sir. I guarantee it." He continued with his tasks and heard Reed stand up. Silence filled the classroom.

"Draco?" Reed called softly and he turned his head. His mentor stood by the doorway, and gave him a slightly amused look. "You ought to know that Mister Boron told me that he had accidentally wasted an entire jar of crows' feet."

Damn... Draco and Reed stared into each other's faces for several more minutes. Reed smiled crookedly before going away. Draco sighed explosively when he could no longer feel the other wizard's presence. Trust Boron to be honest. He shook his head ruefully.

Draco washed his hands thoroughly and then he exited out of his classroom. He went straight to the hall, grabbed a plate and piled it with sandwiches and pies. He went over to the bench where he always sat and a tray that held a pot of hot coffee and two mugs appeared on the table instantly.

He conjured a piece of paper and a magical quill. On it, he wrote; Harry, I'm already at the mess-hall. Come down soon. Then he began to fold it, and eventually, it took on the shape of a griffin. He studied the origami with a fond smile, and then he enveloped the folded paper with magic that flowed out from his fingertips. "To Harry Potter," he said softly.

There were several exclamations when his paper-griffin became animate on his palm. Draco watched in amusement as his message fluttered across the hall before it disappeared into a corner. He sipped on his coffee while he waited for his dark-haired lover to appear, and about ten minutes later, he finally saw Harry.

"I take it that your lesson went well?" he asked his widely grinning lover once Harry was within hearing distance.

"Well..." Harry walked around the bench, brushed his wrist slightly in a silent greeting before sitting down beside him. "We had an impromptu teach-the-Boggart-a-lesson. It was quite fun."

"I see. It's no wonder you're grinning quite ridiculously."

"Draco..." Harry gave him a mock-scowl. "How did your lesson go? I didn't hear any explosions."

"A miracle, isn't it?" Draco agreed. "Unfortunately, one of the students had a clumsy streak. I have to punish him after lunch." As he had predicted, Harry went still and quiet.

"Draco, what sort of punishment?" Harry asked softly.

"Something typically Slytherin. I'm not going ask him to scrub cauldrons, though. What I intend for him to do is probably unpleasant," he answered and stared into Harry's eyes.

"What I mean to ask is, are you punishing him because there is something that he should know or understand, or you doing it for –"

"Fun?" Draco smiled slightly. He saw his lover wince. "I'm afraid that I've been associating with a certain Gryffindor for far too long to do such a thing."

Harry looked relieved at his words and nodded. Draco munched on his sandwich while he stared at his partner, who ate a pumpkin pie thoughtfully.

"Draco, what sort of punishment?"

"Eat, Harry. I'll tell you about it tonight, all right?"

"But what if I forget?"

Draco's chuckles attracted the attention of many, including a young female teacher. Harry mumbled inaudibly, and Draco's laughter intensified. "I'll tell you tonight. I promise."

~*~

"But Professor! What if we can't get it done by tomorrow?"

Harry had to laugh at his students' reactions. "I'm not asking you to write a fifteen-inch long essay."

"But ten?" one of the students groaned.

"Don't complain. Class dismissed. Mark, you're in charge of collecting the essays tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!"

The classroom was filled with bright chatter and grating sounds as children hastily pushed their chairs in. Harry rolled up his sketches, paused upon a picture-less parchment and grinned to himself. He then kept the scrolls inside a cupboard.

"Well done, Harry," Vine said with approval.

"Thank you, sir. Did I give them too much homework?" Harry asked his mentor. He knew the wizard was inside the room for the past hour or so, but did not give the students any indication that they were being observed.

"I can hardly call this assignment homework, Harry. Did you notice how Patricia and her two friends reacted when you asked them to write about a Dark Creature of their choice? Be prepared to mark more than a fifteen-inch long parchment."

He chuckled. "If they could go to Hogwarts, they would be Ravenclaws ... but they have an equal chance getting into Gryffindor, considering that they are quite mischievous," Harry observed.

Vine laughed heartily. "I agree. When are you giving them homework again?"

"Thursday, I think. But it entirely depends on how much I can cover about Dementors and the Patronus Charm."

"I hope you're not asking them to perform the spell."

"They're too young. Maybe when they're a little older," he said and Vine nodded in agreement. "Sir, where is the Boggart?" he questioned his mentor as they walked out of the classroom. However, Vine only winked at him and waved. Harry scratched his head in puzzlement. Then he shrugged and opened his office door.

Emerald eyes flared in surprise as fingers grabbed the front of his robes and pulled him in. Draco! He could only give a mental shout since his lover captured his lips and tongue. His briefcase dropped onto the floor and he buried his fingers into the soft, silky mane.

"What's up?" he asked Draco dreamily. He really loved the feel of Draco's hands on his hips.

"Nothing, Harry," Draco replied impishly. "We'd better go home and prepare dinner."

"All right." He smiled shakily and lifted his briefcase. He also grabbed the books that lay dormant on his desk, and then pointed his chin at the door. Draco went out first, and together, they descended the staircase and crossed the lawn.

"RIDDIKULUS!" a voice thundered.

Harry's heart jumped in his mouth at the sudden shout. He gave Draco a startled glance. "Was that Reed?" he whispered anxiously.

"It sounded like him," Draco replied in a hushed tone.

Professor Aran Reed stormed out of his office and looked around belligerently. Harry quickly pulled Draco out of sight and they briskly walked out of the building. He uttered an exclamation when he saw Stachrin. The two wizards froze on the path and the horse sauntered over to them. Stachrin stopped before Draco and butted against the Slytherin's chest gently.

"Harry?" Draco coughed and backed up cautiously.

"Are you taking us home?"

Stachrin nodded once. Harry studied the horse for a second before he mounted. Draco, still looking uncertain, followed suit. Once they were secure on the creature's back, Stachrin galloped away from the school. Harry took a sharp breath. When he rode the horse in the morning, the sensation of Apparating was unnoticeable. However, he clearly felt the slight pull in the bottom of his stomach now. Draco too, seemed unnerved by the mode of transportation, if the grip on Harry's waist was any indication.

Then Stachrin slowed into a canter and leisurely trotted towards their house. It stopped before the steps and Draco dismounted carefully. When his boyfriend held out his arms, Harry grinned, and placed his hands on Draco's shoulders as he was aided to the ground.

"Thank you, Stachrin," they thanked the creature together. Stachrin snorted before it disappeared. "Did you think it was disgusted by us?"

"How would I know?"

~*~

Draco rolled up his sleeves and armed with his wand, he prepared dinner for the humans. Harry on the other hand, was in the hallway calling out to their pets. Draco hummed softly as he dumped an entire box of minced meat into a warmed pot. He stirred it continuously and when the meat was well fried, he added tomato puree and juice, before he added the spices to the sauce.

While it simmered, he readied his pastry and potato paste. Once done, he popped the dish into the oven and turned back to his spaghetti sauce. He charmed it so that it would remain hot, and fortunately, the magical heat would not affect the goodness of the sauce.

Harry was not in the hallway so Draco made his way up to the bedroom. He stripped his clothes and pushed the bathroom door open. His lover was already in the shower and without saying anything, he joined Harry. After a while, Draco could not help but grin devilishly.

Draco darted in between Harry's legs and looked up into surprised green eyes. Then he gave Harry an innocent lick. There was no response from the standing wizard. "Well? Can I?"

"And if I say you can't?" Harry asked back in a hoarse voice.

Draco stared ahead and smiled mischievously. "Well, I'll just lick you until you say I can." Harry did not say anything and he shrugged. He placed his hands on the back of Harry's thighs for support and started his act. After the seventh lick, he felt his Harry's fingers fist in his hair.

"Please. Draco..." Harry moaned softly. "More...."

He smiled triumphantly before he wrapped his lips around his lover's arousal.

~*~

Harry was laying dinner on the table when Starkmind and Bluestone returned. He looked up from his task and found Bluestone eyeing him slyly. However, the Veela remained mute so he shrugged and seated himself on a chair. Draco came into the dining room with the freshly baked potato pie, deliciously decorated with whipped cream.

Draco gave him a peculiar look. "Why was there a Boggart in Reed's office?"

"Merlin's beard! I almost forgot to tell you this; I think Vine set it on him."

"Elron?" Bluestone and Starkmind said incredulously at once.

"You see, one of my students, the boy who is capable of making drawings come to life, set free a Boggart. After the lesson, I locked the creature into an unused chest. Vine 'offered' to dispose it," he explained. "Vine didn't answer me when I asked him what he had done with the chest."

Starkmind chuckled. "I think Harry has helped to shed some light on the mysterious pranks conducted on acid-tongued and vile-tempered Reed."

"Elaviel ... be nice," Bluestone chided. Harry looked him with a confused expression. "It didn't occur to us that it could be one of the staff members," Bluestone explained.

"Oh." Then Harry remembered about his talk with Draco and gave a piercing look at his lover. "When are you going to tell me about the punishment?"

"What punishment?" the other two asked sharply.

"Don't look at me like that!" Draco sounded annoyed. "Are you sure you want to hear it while we're having dinner? It's quite gruesome, and I think that I'll have nightmares about it for the rest of the week."

"What did your student do, Draco?" Harry scowled.

"I'm fully aware that I may be at fault too, Harry, because I was certain that they could handle the harmless ingredients by themselves. My student wasted an entire bottle of crows' feet in an almost, perfectly brewed Doxycide."

"And the punishment was?" Harry's voice was meek.

"How would you get them replaced?" Draco looked away and ate his meal in silence.

That's quite harsh of him, Harry thought, and winced. But I think I understand. I certainly don't know who deserves pity more – his student or the crows.

Harry was not the only one who felt uncomfortable in the chatter-free dining room. Starkmind cleared his throat noisily and Harry looked askance at him.

"What will the two of you do after dinner?"

"We are going to practice Occlumency tonight, right?" Draco piped up.

"Yes, but after eight. I'm too full to concentrate," Harry said immediately. He was somewhat eased that his lover had broken the iciness he had wrapped about himself earlier.

"Harry, you do know that enemies can't be bothered to be considerate," Draco retorted.

He laughed and pinched Draco lightly. "I was trying to compliment on your skills as a cook, love."

"Since when did you make it a habit to be obscure?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Since the day I was tutored by a sarcastic, silver-haired Slytherin prefect?" he replied and Draco responded by snorting derisively. Green eyes drifted over to Starkmind and Harry was surprised to see the married couple exchange coy looks. Maybe Draco and I should go out this Saturday and leave them alone, Harry thought slyly. "Love, can we go out this Saturday?"

"I thought you said you wanted to sleep in?"

"Yes, but obviously I can't sleep for the whole day. Let's go to Diagon Alley and have dinner."

Draco looked at him thoughtfully. "Treat me ice cream."

"Ice cream?"

"Yes. Ice cream. Then we'll go and get Granger her birthday present."

Harry looked at Draco in astonishment. "How did you know I wanted to –"

"Harry, I am your boyfriend. It is logical for me to be aware of these things."

He grinned sheepishly. He finished his slice of potato pie and licked the cream from his fork absently. "And speaking of presents, love, when exactly is your birthday?"

"I thought you knew," Draco said demurely and smiled faintly at him. "If you don't, then guess."

"Give me a clue at least..."

"My name."

"Draco?"

His boyfriend nodded and he contemplated while he helped Bluestone wash the plates. He continued to ponder as he walked up to the third floor of the house. Harry entered the balcony and stared at his lover for a moment. Since Draco was seated on the bench at an angle, he had no problems cuddling up to the Slytherin. Draco, he noticed, loved it when he wanted to be pampered.

He leaned back and Draco automatically kissed his right temple. Do we have to practice Occlumency? I'd rather practice something else in the bedroom... Harry pushed his lustful thoughts away. Bedgames could wait. "Draco, I need another clue," he said instead.

"Hmmm?" Draco sounded dreamy and nuzzled behind his ear.

"Your name ... did your parents name you because they thought of you as a dragon, or did they name you after constellations?"

"My name was determined by Druidical readings and Divination actually. However, it also has something to do with the stars."

Harry's breathing grew heavier as Draco's hand slithered under his light shirt. Then he gulped as expert fingers teased his nipple and a wet tongue licked his ear. A soft moan escaped from his throat when Draco sucked and nursed his neck. In reflex to the sensations, Harry squeezed his boyfriend's thighs and heard a low growl.

"I want you..." Draco whispered. Harry whimpered when Draco's hand dropped lower. "I want you."

Harry licked his dry lips and fought against the need to arch his body into the delicious touch. "Was there a reason why you didn't want me to pleasure you in return, earlier?" he asked Draco breathlessly.

"I wanted to save it?"

"You want to make love to me tonight?"

"Yes," Draco whispered. "I want you so much."

Harry gently pushed Draco's hands away, and shifted so that he faced Draco. He cupped the pointed chin, pulled it close, and kissed his lover languidly. "A thought just struck me, love," he murmured into the soft lips. "I think your godfather was making us practice something other than Occlumency."

"Oh?"

"I think self-restraint was the other thing he wanted us to exercise," he elaborated. Harry pulled away and smiled. "Do you think you could restrain yourself, for an hour at least?"

"Humph." Draco looked at him haughtily and rose to his feet. "Well, Gryffindor, care to practice Occlumency now?"

"Of course." Harry took a deep breath and his desire ebbed away. "Shall we begin?" That was all the warning he gave Draco before he cast the Legilimency spell.

An hour passed and Harry signaled Draco to stop. His boyfriend looked anxiously at him. "I'm envious," Harry rasped. "I took more than a year to understand Occlumency. You did very well, considering that you had just learnt it only weeks ago."

"I'm relieved," Draco sighed, and he sank to the floor.

"Don't congratulate yourself yet, love. You're still vulnerable. You have to be like Snape – there is not a moment I could catch him unguarded." Harry sat on the bench. "Like you said earlier, you can't expect your enemy to give you a signal beforehand."

"I'll do better next time," Draco responded with a weak smile. "Can we stop the lesson now? Do you have papers to mark?"

Harry chuckled. "Elaviel, Bluestone and Vine advised me never to bring work home. So, no, I'm free, and yes, let's take a rest." He grinned. "That rhymed."

The house was unusually silent and he gathered that the older wizards were spending some quality time together. "Candles, Draco?" he asked as he stepped into their bedroom.

"No need."

Harry undressed and was about to wear his sleeping robe when Draco tugged at the clothing. He lost his grip on the robe, and stood naked before the window. He pivoted on his heel slowly, and saw Draco toss his robe away. It landed on the couch with a soft rustle.

"You are remarkable, Harry," Draco said quietly. The lean Slytherin strolled towards him, and Harry gazed on his unclothed lover in appreciation as well.

He smiled and stalked around Draco. "And you are beautiful, Draco," he murmured. Harry brushed his fingers along the side of his lover's neck and arm. "You look like a magical being." He stopped walking and dropped a kiss on Draco's collarbone. "A magical creature clothed in moonlight." He sank to his knees and ran his hands up and down his lover's legs. "An ethereal, magical prince. My mysterious prince."

He brushed his lips tentatively on Draco's right thigh, and felt the muscles tense at the contact.

"Harry..." Draco moaned as he pressed his cheek against the erection.

"Can I pleasure you now, love?" He kissed the silken length.

"Harry...."

~*~

Harry growled loudly and panted as his climax overtook his body. Although his eyes were wide open, they were unseeing as he concentrated on how his body felt as fluid, molten heat poured into him. At that same instant, he released his into Draco's mouth.

He was not aware of the passing of time but was conscious of the moment Draco withdrew. He closed his eyes finally, and readily wrapped his arms around his lover, who had collapsed on top of him. He felt exhausted and sleepy, but at the same time, he felt energized and somewhat ... stimulated.

"Bloody hell, Draco, but where on earth did you learn to do that?" he asked and his voice sounded excited. He felt Draco's body tremble with mirth.

"I didn't know that I can be that flexible," Draco admitted. "But damn ... that was good."

"Good? Draco, that's an understatement." He smiled crookedly. "I wonder if I can do that to," Harry mused. "Your sense of coordination is remarkable, my love, to be able to do those things at once."

"Thank you."

"Draco?"

"Hmmm?" His boyfriend kissed his neck lovingly.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Harry closed his eyes and relaxed. He fell asleep almost immediately.

~*~

Draco carefully lifted his body from Harry and settled beside his raven-haired lover. He caressed the sleeping face affectionately and he smiled. He could not help but wonder why he felt joyous, but he could not deny that was incredibly happy.

Tears slid down his cheeks and he cursed silently. He brushed them away hastily. Why in Merlin's name am I crying? However, the tears kept flowing and unfortunately, a sob escaped from his throat and the sound caused Harry to rouse.

"Draco?" Harry's voice was concerned. "Love, what's wrong?"

He could not answer to Harry's question, and then he was pulled into his lover's reassuring embrace. Harry delivered soft kisses on his face and the tenderness that Harry gave him made him stop crying.

"Draco?"

"Sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to scare you," he said with a slight smile. Then his eyes grew distant. "It's just..." his voice trailed off.

"Tell me." Harry kissed his cheek gently.

"It's just that these things..." Draco took hold of Harry's hand and placed it on his chest. "They way I feel about you – it frightens me." His eyes searched Harry's face before they stared into green eyes. Draco smiled, for the moonlight that reflected from Harry's eyes made the Gryffindor look beautiful.

"Draco, do you ever wish that we hadn't gotten together?" Harry asked him with a loving smile on his lips.

"Sometimes." Draco's eyes blurred with tears again. "Things wouldn't be complicated, and I wouldn't be carried away by the intense emotions that I have." Draco slid his hands around Harry's waist and managed to get his lover to rest atop him. "But I had decided on the Halloween night. I need you, Harry."

Draco licked his lips invitingly and Harry dipped his head obligingly to kiss him.

"At first, I thought I was attracted to your power," Draco said in between kisses, "and damn, your masculinity and domineering presence. I am not sure what being a partner means, or if I am truly in love." He kissed Harry again, this time with a little desperately. "I guess what I'm afraid of is that what we have will not last," he said in a strained voice.

Their kiss grew more fervent, and Draco's playfulness managed to lighten his somber words. "However, I know that when I'm with you, I am free, but I'm home at the same time." He nibbled teasingly on Harry's lower lip and evoked a soft whimper from his lover.

"Uhmmm ... Draco..."

"Do you want to know something, love? When I fell unconscious after the attack on Slytherins, I dreamt of several things. One of them was of Voldemort – he was still alive, and he was using me to get through you. Ironically, you saved me." Draco smiled sardonically. "The dreams felt stupid – they were so random and out of sequence. You told me while I was giving you a blowjob in the dream – Voldemort was dead."

Harry chuckled slightly. "You're right – your dreams were absurd." Harry gave him a cheeky smile. "Draco, when you do it to me in real life, do I ever speak in a coherent sentence?"

Draco grinned roguishly. "As a matter of fact, no." Then he kissed the swollen, rosy lips. "But there was one dream that made me nervous, and it still does, whenever I think about it. Don't tell your friend, Ron Weasley, this, that he actually frightens me."

"What was it about?"

"He just asked me a simple question: 'Are you deserving enough for Harry's love?' This dream query makes me uncomfortable, since I often wonder whether I am worthy of your attentions."

Harry's expression turned grave. His fingers disengaged from Draco's pale ones and Draco moaned slightly as Harry's fingertips brushed tenderly against his cheeks. "For the past seventeen years of my life, Draco, it has always been what others wanted of me. You however, provided me a new path, a choice, and freedom, on the night you impulsively embraced me."

"I did?"

"Yes. You gave me the freedom and choice to love you."

Draco blushed. "Love, I think things are getting too sweet."

Harry looked at him slyly. "Then I think we should add some ... spice, and a bit of heat, don't you think?"

"Harry!" Draco gasped. His lover drew back, before he moved forward again.

"This is your fault, Draco. Tell me about your fantasies. Especially about the one you said you were sucking me."

"Harry." Draco sounded almost mournful.

~*~