Good Intentions

Chapter 12: Bittersweet

Breakfast that Monday morning was uneventful. Harry and Draco attended Care of Magical Creatures and then Double Transfiguration directly after lunch. To say the least, Harry was grateful to see the end of the day. If it wasn't for Draco, he didn't know how he would survive. The routine of classes had gotten so boring that he had a hard time staying awake during them. Thusly the rest of the week went, with the only change of course being Potions, where he would never dare to not pay attention for fear of what might happen to him if he did.

Harry was starting to worry by the time that Friday's classes were ending. Draco had seemed distracted by something all week and would never tell Harry where he had been when he returned after one of his many disappearances. Harry was afraid that his one true worry had come true: Draco was bored with him and had found someone else.

He gathered the courage to ask Draco about it on Friday while they were on their way back to their rooms, finished with the days classes. Draco stopped in the middle of the hall, his eyes big.

"How could you think that?"

"You're never around anymore... I assumed you had moved on and found someone better," Harry said sadly.

"Harry," Draco said dropping his school bag, moving to embrace him. "Don't ever think that." He cupped Harry's face in his hands and kissed him softly. "Ever."

"Then why won't you tell me where you've been disappearing off to all week? You're hiding something from me, I know you are." Harry knew he sounded childish, but didn't care. What he did care about was the way Draco looked at him before he had kissed him. Like Harry meant something... everything.

Draco sighed, stepping back from Harry. "I...I can't tell you what it is. It'll ruin everything if I do."

"What will it ruin?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you. You just have to trust me that I still love you."

Harry looked at him closely. Draco was being honest, he knew that now. He would just have to be patient while Draco worked out whatever it was he was doing.

Harry nodded. "I trust you, you know I do. Will it last much longer?"

Draco smiled. "Not long at all." He picked up his bag and slipped his hand into Harry's, lacing their fingers together. "I do love you."

Harry smiled. "I know."

***

"So you have everything in order?"

"Yes, I actually think everything is official. I got this letter in the mail today finalizing all the details. I'm just glad it is all finally over. You really think it'll make him happy?"

"You know it will Draco. Don't be so nervous about it," Hermione chided. "He loves you, I can tell that much, so don't worry. Everything will work out fine."

"Thanks," Draco smiled genuinely at her. "I really couldn't have done it without you, you know."

"I know," Hermione joked. "But just hearing you say that is thanks enough for me, believe it or not."

***

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, so good to see you," Dumbledore greeted jovially.

"Did you get my letter?" Draco asked, starting to fidget.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I did. What was it you needed to talk to me about?"

"Well... er, I needed to ask you permission to do something tomorrow. It concerns Harry, you see. So I thought it best to talk to you about it beforehand."

"I see. What exactly is it that you want to do?"

***

Harry was reading a quidditch strategy book when Draco came bounding into their rooms looking happier than he had in a long time. Harry smiled at his lover. He couldn't help it, the mere presence of him just made him happy... especially when he was in a good mood.

Draco pranced over to Harry's armchair and jumped on him.

"What the?" Harry asked, curious as to why Draco was in such a good mood. Not that he was complaining... but it was odd, and almost weird.

"Happy to see me?" Draco asked playfully before he started kissing Harry's neck.

"Of course I am," Harry said, tilting his head to give Draco better access.

"Good, because I'm very happy to see you." He had moved down to Harry's collar bone now.

"Not that I'm complaining," Harry said, lifting Draco's face so he could look at him, "but why are you in such a good mood?"

Draco kissed him on the nose. "You'll find out soon enough."

Harry couldn't help but smile. "How soon is soon?"

"Tomorrow."

"Should I be excited?" Harry asked, his anticipation rising.

"Of course," Draco said. "After all the surprise is coming from me. Now, where was I...?"

Harry just laughed, but succombed to Draco's persistence.

***

Harry was first to wake the next morning, which was very unusual. He'd had a hard time going to sleep the night before because he was so anxious about things. He reached up and brushed the hair off of Draco's forehead and kissed it gently.

Draco slowly opened his eyes, still partially asleep. "Good morning," Harry greeted cheerfully.

Draco smiled at him and mumbled, "mrng," before arching his back and stretching out his tired limbs. He turned towards Harry who was looking at him expectantly. He opened his arms and Harry didn't hesitate taking the invitation. He crawled on top of Draco and rested his head on his chest.

They laid like that for a while, with Draco idly drawing circles on Harry's back and Harry content to just lay their with Draco.

"What time is it?" Draco asked, breaking the peaceful silence.

"It's only 8:30," Harry responded, checking his watch.

"We need to get up then. We've got a big day ahead of us."

"Oh, really?" Harry said, as he started to kiss his way down Draco's chest. "Maybe I don't want to go anywhere."

"As pleasing as that sounds," Draco said, arching up when Harry reached his navel, "I think you'll like what I have planned more."

Harry was ignoring him, still going lower. Draco laughed. "Harry!" Harry looked up, looking angelically at him.

"Yes dear?"

Draco narrowed his eyes at him. "There will be plenty of time for that later. Come here." He gave Harry a quick kiss on the lips before jumping out of the bed. "Now, we really are on a schedule you know. I think I'll take a shower, care to join me?"

"I think you already know the answer to that," Harry said grinning.

***

Harry and Draco had a hurried breakfast that morning, before heading back to their room to finish getting ready. All Harry knew about the upcoming day was that Draco said he needed to dress in muggle clothing. With Draco's help, Harry was presentable in no time. Now Harry was waiting on Draco to finish perfecting his own look.

Harry glanced at his watch. "It's 9:57. Didn't you say we were leaving at 10?"

"Yeah, I'm almost done." Draco came back into the room and rummaged through his trunk until he pulled out a silver box. "What time is it now?"

"Almost 10, not much longer."

"Okay good." He took off the lid and pulled out a silver replica of a snitch. He threw the box onto their bed and held the snitch in front of Harry. "Make sure you're touching it... it should be anytime now."

"A portkey?" Harry asked curiously. "It's so pretty though." Harry checked his watch again. "Ok, three, two, one."

***

Harry and Draco appeared in an alleyway across from the muggle entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.

"You know where we are, yes?" Draco asked Harry as they untangled themselves and dusted off their clothing.

"Yeah, Hagrid brought me this way on my first trip to Diagon Alley right after I received my Hogwarts letter. Are you going to explain why we're here?" The anxiety of knowing what they were going to be doing and why they were there was about to drive him crazy.

"Not just yet," Draco said, smoothing down his shirt. "Did I ever tell you how cute you look when you are anxious about something?"

Harry glared at him. "You just wait until I do this to you one day... then you'll see."

Draco laughed. "It's a deal."

Draco led them out of the alley and past the pub where only the chosen few could see and enter into it. They continued walking for about five more minutes before they arrived at a train station. Draco bought tickets to go to Kensington in about ten minutes time.

"You realize I'm completely confused by all of this. I don't have even the slightest clue what we're doing," Harry said dumbfounded.

"I know. That's why it will be so much better when you do find out."

The train ride didn't last long, and they were once again walking down a street that Harry didn't recognize but Draco obviously did.

"Almost there now..." Draco mumbled to himself.

Harry just looked at him, but followed him quietly nonetheless. He was seriously wondering if Draco was going insane. "Perfect," he said stopping abruptly on the sidewalk.

***

"Harry," Draco said turning to him. "I would personally like to be the first one to welcome you home."

Harry raised an eyebrow and just looked at him. "My-my home?"

"Our home," Draco corrected him. He turned Harry so that the house was directly in front of them. He took Harry's hand in his and led him across the front lawn, up onto the front porch, and stopped just before the front door.

Draco looked around him before he pulled his wand out of his jacket pocket and tapped the front door saying, "bittersweet". The door swung open allowing them entrance. The house was decorated beautifully. A lot of silver and green which Draco obviously favored, but he had mixed in red and gold where it was deemed fashionable. The house was huge, but not uncomfortably big.

"Our home," Harry repeated, still in shock. He turned to Draco, tears welling up in his eyes. "You're being serious? You honestly want us to live here after we graduate?"

"Yes, it's what I want... but the only thing that matters is what you want Harry."

"Other than Hogwarts, I've never had somewhere to really call home before." He walked through the house, still in shock. Draco followed closely behind him, waiting for a reaction. He was starting to get nervous... Harry still hadn't said he agreed to live there with him. Maybe he didn't like it? Or he possibly thought the clichéd Slytherin and Gryffindor colors were tacky? How stupid could he have been...?

"Draco," Harry said turning to him, tears still in his eyes. "Promise me something."

"Anything," Draco answered honestly.

"Promise me that this isn't all just a dream." A single tear ran down Harry's cheek. "Tell me that I'm not back at Hogwarts, day dreaming in Potions class."

"Oh, Harry," Draco said, wrapping his arms tightly around Harry.

When Harry pulled away, he was smiling. "How could you have known this was exactly what I've always wanted?"

"Easy," Draco said, kissing Harry gently on the mouth. "Because it has been what I've wanted ever since I got to know you."

Harry smiled again, brushing the wetness from his eyes. He took Draco's hand and clung to it as they looked through the rest of the house.

Draco's spirits were lifted. Harry liked it... he actually liked it. Things would be okay now... thank God. And now the best part... Draco opened up a large pair of doors.

"So this is the bedroom," Harry said happily.

"Nice, eh?" Draco asked cheekily.

When they got close to the bed, Harry shoved Draco onto it, and quickly jumped on top of him. Harry sat there a moment, thinking before he said anything. "I love you so much, you know that?"

"I know," Draco said comfortably, wanting to close his eyes. This was almost too perfect... he and Harry here, in their house, together.

Harry took both of Draco's hands and pinned them above his head. Draco just grinned, letting Harry take control. He kissed Draco's forehead, and then both cheeks, and last his nose before kissing the corners of his mouth, never quite making contact with Draco's lips.

"You're such a tease," Draco accused.

"I know," Harry admitted. "Now..." Harry continued, his grin widening, "about that favor you owe me..."

***

The end.