Permanent Scars

Chapter twenty

Draco had been tossing and turning all night, trying to decide whether or not he should take Pansy's advice. He finally decided he would send Harry an owl, and see if he wanted to meet later that day.

He was on his way to the Owlery when someone behind him called his name.

"Malfoy! Malfoy, wait!" Harry puffed, as he ran to catch up with Draco.

Draco stopped and watched Harry running towards him; he felt a lot of trepidation at seeing Harry again so soon.

Harry caught up with him, and asked, "Is there somewhere we can go after classes are over for the day? I really want to talk to you."

Draco tried to relax. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then said, "I was just going to send you an owl."

Harry looked hopefully at Draco. "Does that mean you forgive me?"

Draco looked discomforted. He did not want to discuss this out in the hall.

"Meet me in my room after class, and we can talk then, okay?" Draco asked, dying to get away.

"Okay, I'll see you after last class. Bye"

Harry walked away, relived that he hadn't completely blown his chances.

******************

Luckily for Draco, his last class of the day ended fairly early. He'd had enough time to go back to his room to tidy up.

He was thinking about what he had done. Harry would be here any minute.

Draco felt the fear bubbling up. He had never gotten himself into a situation like this, where he was trying to develop a real relationship with someone. For Draco, all of his previous relationships had only been for whatever he could get out of them. He hadn't cared anything about the other person's feelings.

He was thinking about how much he wished Pansy had never stopped over yesterday when there was a knock on the door. Draco walked towards the door like he was going to the gallows.

He opened it up, and there stood Harry, looking quite nice in jeans and an emerald jumper. Draco could tell he had even made an effort with his hair; it was only sticking up in a few places.

"Uh, Harry, come in," said Draco nervously.

Harry came in, and they both went to sit on the couch.

Harry started the conversation by saying, "Draco, if I offended you. I didn't mean to; It's just that... well, I really like you. I have a good time when we're together. When you came off the broom, you just looked so happy. Anyway, I just wanted to say, I'm sorry." Harry looked at Draco, trying to gauge his reaction to the apology.

Draco thought to himself, in for a penny in for a pound, and scooted closer to Harry on the couch.

Harry looked surprised, and then asked, "So you're not mad at me any longer?"

Draco confessed, "It wasn't really you touching me that made me so upset. It was just... when you touched the scars on my face, I knew you could, not only, see how ugly I was, but you could feel it. It made me feel so horrible; I just had to get away."

Harry placed his hand on Draco's, and said tenderly, "I don't see those scars when I look at you. I see you. Only you."

Draco felt his heart pounding, and tears springing to his eyes. He leaned forward and kissed Harry softly on the lips.