Under A Spell

As the Hogwarts Express gradually began its journey to Kings Cross Station, Harry Potter and his companions entered a compartment near the rear of the train. While the others laughed and chattered on about Quidditch and the chaotic year that had just come to an end, Harry sat in silence, caught up in his own thoughts. Ever since the night of Sirius's death, the sol thought that occupied Harry's mind was that the man who had acted as a father towards him for two years was gone. His godfather's death replayed over and over in his mind, haunting not only his dreams, but also every moment he was awake. Sirius had not only been like a father to him, but also like a best friend or a brother. Of course Ron was his best friend, but Harry felt that he and Sirius had been able to relate to each other in a way that was not possible with Ron. Harry hated the Death Eaters for what they had done, but he could not help but feel hatred towards himself as well. If he had not been so stupid and paranoid...maybe the knot of guilt that was dragging him down would be nonexistent.

There was only one person that could make him feel better, and Harry knew it. There was only one person that could sweep his troubles away and lighten the load of guilt that was holding him back from beginning to move on with his life. At the moment, this was no relief for Harry, because his 'savoir' seemed to be keeping distance from him.

"Ron, what are you going on about? Everyone knows the Cannons are going to the dogs, you sod," he heard Ginny insist. She and her brother continued arguing and Dean joined in by talking about football. Harry was not interested at all. He got up slowly and slid the compartment door open. Hermione noticed and looked up from her book. She shot Harry a concerned look.

"Harry, where are you going? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine...Just thought I'd see where the Trolley's got to," he said with a yawn, and exited the noisy compartment. He slid the door shut and trudged down the hallway silently. A little further down the hall Harry saw the food trolley, but he wasn't hungry in the least. In fact, he had not had much of an appetite at all since the night in the Department of Mysteries.

Harry passed a compartment full of members of D.A. that he had taught. Many waved at him and a few yelled out "Hey, Harry!" He waved back and smiled. At least I can help others with my knowledge, I guess, he thought and smiled. Not that it really helped me at the Department of Mysteries... The smile faded from his face.

The Gryffindor reached the loo and walked inside, hoping to spend as much time out of the compartment as possible. Watching his friends, being with them as the talked happily among each other, it all just hurt too much. He felt utterly alone and empty. Harry peered into the mirror and sighed. Maybe Sirius was with his mum and dad. Maybe he was happy. Harry began to attempt to flatten his hair, but then stopped and ran his hand through it. If his father had been Sirius's best friend, he couldn't have been as bad as he had seemed to be in Snape's pensive. Harry sighed for a second time and then entered the hallway once more. He had been in the hall no more than five seconds when he was slammed into the wall by a pair of pale hands. The Gryffindor looked up into the stormy grey eyes of a smirking Draco Malfoy, clad in green and silver.

"Potter," he sneered, raising an eyebrow and challenging Harry.

"Malfoy."

"Where's your fan-club, Potter?" the Slytherin sneered. "Do you think you're better than the rest of us because every time you get into trouble, some one comes and saves you? Is that it, Potter?"

There was silence.

"Oh come on, Potter. Don't give me that. I think you know that we have some catching up to do, 'golden boy'." Malfoy smirked.

"Let's just get this over with, Malfoy," Harry said, untainted determination gleaming in his eyes. He was not in the mood to mess around.

"Sure you're not scared?"

"Not a chance." Harry chuckled. "You're the one we should be worried about."

"You wish. Don't be a prat, Potter."

"Why don't you loose the goons," Harry motioned towards Crabbe and Goyle, who were presently stuffing their faces with food from the trolley, "and let's see how brave you are without Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dumb covering your arse." Malfoy attempted to conceal the look of confusion that had crept up onto his face and followed Harry into an empty compartment next to the loos.

Once both boys were in the small compartment and the door was slid shut, they stood facing, each carefully keeping his distance from the other. All of a sudden, Harry felt himself being pushed up against the wall once again, but this time the other boy's sweet mouth was firmly pressed up against his own. He felt strong arms wrap around his waist as he opened his mouth, giving the blonde's tongue permission for entrance into his own mouth. The raven-haired boy wrapped his own arms around Draco's waist as their tongues duelled for dominance. The kiss was full of hunger and lust and each boy was completely lost in the other. When they finally broke apart for much needed air, Draco rested his far head lightly on Harry's scared one.

"Miss me, Potter?" he asked, grinning egotistically.

Harry snorted. "Not bloody likely." He kissed Draco again.

"How have you been? You know...about your godfather, well I...um...." the Slytherin stuttered.

"I know." Harry looked away. "Draco?"

"Mmhmmm..." answered the blonde, who was currently nuzzling at Harry's neck.

"Thanks." They kissed again, this time slowly, not wanting to let go of each other. "You know we can't do this here..."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "And why not?"

Harry chuckled. "Some one might catch us! Your cronies are right outside the door..."

"We've been doing this for a year and no one's caught on yet!" Draco bit Harry's earlobe lightly. "I don't care if they catch us...I want them to know...to know that you're mine. I want that Creevy boy to know, too. He likes you a bit too much..."

Harry ignored the comment about Colin. "What about your father?"

"I...I don't know anymore. He's still my father...but-"

"You don't have to decide now. Just...forget I asked," Harry cut in, smiling sadly. Draco kissed him then suddenly looked confused.

"Who the hell are Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dumb?" he asked indignantly. The Gryffindor looked up at the adorable face of his lover and began to laugh. Suddenly the sound of footsteps and voices out side the door became apparent to both boys, and they froze.

"Don't worry Harry; we'll save you!" Harry recognized it as Ernie Macmillan's voice.

"Shit!" Harry cursed, unwrapping his arms from his lover's waist and attempting to straighten his messed appearance.

"What the hell was that?" snapped the Slytherin, obviously nonplussed and angry to have his precious time with Harry cut short.

"Oh, gods, I'm really sorry about this Mal...Draco. Write me this summer, all right?" Harry kissed Draco deeply and whispered in his ear "I love you," in a raspy voice.

Seconds later, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchy, Anthony Goldstein, and Terry Boot, all lead by Ernie MacMillan, rushed into the compartment. They grabbed Harry and began to throw hexes at a confused and stunned Draco. Draco was not only stunned from the sudden change of kissing Harry to being attacked by Hufflepuffs. Harry had said those three words that he had longed to hear for months. I love you. Harry Potter loved him. Loved him. Draco couldn't help but smile, despite his current situation. He attempted to stop the birds in his head from singing and the flowers from blooming, but it was to no avail. He was madly in love with Harry Potter.

Harry gave his boyfriend a last sympathetic 'I'm so sorry, what idiots' look before he was dragged out of the compartment door.

#*#*#*#*

"Are you ok Harry?" asked a very tired Hannah Abbott, catching her breath from the work out she and her mates had just gotten from sending all curses and hexes imaginable at Draco Malfoy. Harry nodded and grunted.

They were back in Harry's original compartment and the Gryffindor seeker was surrounded by more people than should fit in the small space.

"It's a good thing you taught us all those new hexes, other wise we would never have been able to hex the arse off of Malfoy, right Harry?" added Terry Boot.

"Yes...a bloody good thing," mumbled Harry before banging his head into the wall.

"Harry, what are you doing? Are you sure you're all right?" Hermione asked urgently, looking at Harry with shock in her eyes.

"Did Malfoy hit you? Did he hex you, Harry? Don't worry, I'll give that bloody ferret what he deserves..." Ron ranted angrily, always ready to make Malfoy pay. All the people around him, including his 'saviours', were staring at him anxiously with looks that clearly showed that they thought he was mad.

"Maybe he has me under a spell," he answered in response, touching his lips lightly and grinning at the irony.

~Fin