Permanent Scars

Chapter seventeen

As the weeks went by, Harry grew to enjoy the time he spent with Draco more and more. He couldn't remember just when Malfoy had became Draco in his mind, but he knew he could never go back to seeing him the way he had before. He would never again be able to see him as his arch enemy, his evil rival.

All Harry had been able to think about, for the past few days, was the way Draco's body had felt, pressed up against him, and how good he had smelled. When Harry closed his eyes and thought about Draco, he could almost smell the fragrant scent of his cologne. Harry was sure the cologne must be something expensive. He thought it might even be handmade, something just for Draco.

Every time he saw Draco entering a classroom, or in the hallway, Harry's face felt a little bit warmer, and the butterflies in his stomach seemed to dance. He had never felt this way about anyone before, not even Ginny. He wasn't entirely sure WHAT he had felt for her. He liked her; she was comfortable to be with, but Ginny didn't make his heart pound. She had never made him ache with longing to be with her.

Harry continued walking down the hallway to Draco's room. He was carrying his book bag, thinking about the surprise that he was going to give Draco, and how thrilled he hoped Draco was going to be to receive it. Harry had never wanted to please someone as much as he wanted to please Draco.

He had tried to think of something Draco would like; something that would make him happy. He had noticed that Draco was spending a lot of time alone in his room. Once classes finished for the day, Draco would go to his room, and not be seen again until the next day's classes. Harry decided what Draco really needed, what would do him some good, was to get out of his room and have some fun.

Harry knocked, and the door was opened almost immediately by Draco, who was nicely dressed in chinos, white t-shirt and black jumper.

"Hi Potter, come in," said Draco. Smiling, he opened the door wider so that Harry could enter.

Harry felt a warm glow at seeing Draco again. He followed him to the table, and they both sat down to eat supper. Tonight, they were having Harry's favorite, Welsh rarebit.

While Harry sat across from Draco and enjoyed the food, he enjoyed the conversation more. They talked about their classes and the latest Hogwarts gossip. Draco was more relaxed with Harry than ever before, and seemed to be enjoying his company. He argued enthusiastically with Harry about the upcoming Quidditch match, and on whether Snape really did play favourites or not.

After supper Harry said to Draco, "I have a surprise for you."Draco's face lit up at the mention of a surprise. He looked at Harry, but didn't see anywhere he could have hidden a surprise.

He asked excitedly, "Where is it, Potter?"

Then, he saw the book bag and made a dive for it. Harry grabbed the book bag and held on as Draco grabbed the opposite end. They were struggling back and forth with the bag, laughing. Draco suddenly let go, and Harry went sprawling onto the hard stone floor.

Harry frowned, "That wasn't very nice, Malfoy."

Draco said sweetly, "You can't expect me to change everything about myself over night. Besides, you looked pretty funny when you landed on your bum."

Harry looked up at Draco, chagrined.

Draco walked over to Harry and offered his hand to help Harry up. When Harry was about half-way up from the floor, Draco loosened his grip which caused Harry to fall back to the hard stones. Draco laughed like mad at Harry's expression.

Harry, now with a sore bum, felt slightly cross as he got up from the floor.

In the meantime, Draco had broken into Harry's book bag. He riffled all through it, but didn't find any surprise.

"Malfoy, the surprise isn't in there. The surprise is... I am going to let you have a go on my Firebolt."

Draco looked shocked.

"Are you pulling my chain, Potter? Or, are you serious?" Draco asked warily.

Harry reassured him, "No, I'm serious. We can go get it right now if you want."

"That would be bloody fantastic!" Draco exclaimed his eyes alight with happiness.

Seeing how delighted he had made Draco made Harry's heart swell with happiness. He liked seeing Draco looking so happy and made a vow, then and there, to do everything in his power to keep him looking like that.

They left Draco's room and walked to the Gryffindor dorms. Draco waited impatiently outside while Harry went in and got his broom.

Minutes later, which felt like hours to Draco, Harry came back with the Firebolt. He handed it to Draco, and they headed down the stairs, out the door, and towards the Quidditch pitch.

Draco was talking excitedly about how amazing it was going to be to fly on the Firebolt. As Harry walked alongside Draco, their arms occasionally brushing against each other. Each time their arms made contact, he felt a bolt of electricity thrumming through him.

They were barely to the pitch when Draco climbed onto the Firebolt, waved to Harry, and flew off.

Harry could see a Draco-shaped black and tan blur shooting here and there on the Firebolt. He had never seen Draco fly while he was on the ground, and he stood there admiring the graceful way Draco flew.

After about an hour of flying, Draco landed his hair windswept, and came running over to where Harry was watching.

Ecstatically he said, "That was SO cool. The Firebolt handled like a dream!"

He continued on; describing the fantastic features of the broom.

Harry could see Draco's flushed face, the windswept hair, and the shining eyes. The sight of him made Harry's heart pound so hard he thought it would burst.

While they were walking back to the castle, Harry tried to decide whether or not this was the right time to tell Draco that he was gay.

Having finally made up his mind, Harry asked Draco, "Do you remember me telling you that the reason for the... accident... was because Ginny and I had had a fight?"

Draco thought about it, and then said, "I think I remember you saying something about it."

Harry continued, "We had gotten into a hell of fight right before Potions that day."

"What was the fight about, Potter?" Draco asked, genuinely curious.

"She wanted me to be something that I couldn't be."

"And, what was that?" asked Draco, now even more curious.

Harry replied, "She wanted me to be straight."

Draco stopped, and looked at Harry. They were only about half a foot apart. Harry slowly walked towards Draco, and closed the gap between them. He looked tenderly into Draco's eyes and felt Harry how much he cared for Draco. It was like an ache in his chest.

Harry reached out a hand and gently stroked Draco's face. The reaction was instantaneous. Draco roughly pushed Harry's hand away.

"Don't touch me there. Don't ever touch me there," Draco cried, distressed.

He threw down the Firebolt and started running in the direction of the castle.

Harry was left standing there, alone, the Firebolt at his feet.