Behind the Masks We Wear

Behind the Masks We Wear

I am denial pain and fear

And I control you

I am the prayers of the naïve

And I control you

I am the lie that you believe

And I control you

I take you where you want to go

I drag you down I use you up

-Nine Inch Nails

-Mr. Self Destruct

--------Beginning of 6^th year--------

Harry sat groggily at breakfast nearly placing his elbow into Ron's scrambled eggs. He had spent the night before in a nightmare and then tossing and turning until he finally gave up on trying to sleep, and sat watching the sun rise out of the window. He gazed across the great hall groggily barely awake and just thinking fuzzy thoughts when his eye caught on something, or rather someone. Harry looked appreciatively across the hall. He sat there happily checking out Malfoy in his fuzzy mindlessness. Not bad looking he thought. Nice blond hair and shoulders. Suddenly he realized that he was being somewhat obvious, and someone was sure to notice. He jerked back quickly almost knocking over his milk. Hell! He thought and quickly grabbed at the glass. Harry had realized that he liked boys last summe. Malfoy however was the most offensive and disagreeable person Harry knew. Some days it truly surprised him that he could spend so much time looking in his direction.

"Are you ok Harry?" Ron looked over in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I didn't sleep very well last night that's all. I guess I sort of fell asleep at the table." Harry grinned at Ron. "Good thing I didn't fall asleep in my cereal. You would have had to do CPR."

As he finished his breakfast he felt his eyes straying over to the Slytherin side of the great hall again. As his eyes passed over Draco Malfoy he noticed that Malfoy was looking back at him as well. He felt himself starting to turn pink and looked down at his cereal so quickly he didn't notice the look of surprise in Draco's eyes.

Harry quickly finished up and walked with Ron and Hermione to potions.

Potions class was as miserable as usual. Snape was in true form and Harry figured that being able to take points from Gryffindors again after the summer break must be like Christmas come early for him.

"Slimy git," whispered Ron after a particularly stinging remark from Snape.

Harry was having problems of his own on the other hand. He was feeling completely betrayed by his eyes. They wanted to slide over to look at Malfoy, and wouldn't listen when he told them to stop looking, that Malfoy wasn't anything special. Of course the more he tried not to look the more he did. He also happened to notice that not one cutting or snide remark had been made by Malfoy that day toward anyone. Peculiar, thought Harry. I wonder what's up with that.

He joined Hermione and Ron in making a sleeping draught for the lab work that day. Hermione watched Harry as his eyes would wander over to where Malfoy was sitting and then flinch back almost violently with a frown and then in a few seconds start sliding over there again. Malfoy huh? She thought. Unless it's Crabbe or Goyle he's looking at, which brought on a really nasty mental shiver ewww. Not that having him look at Malfoy was all that great but no one could deny that he was easy on the eyes.

Meanwhile, Harry was doing his best to make himself look very busy and at the same time do as little as possible while carrying on a fierce internal argument with himself. Stop. Ok? Just stop! That's Malfoy, the guy that makes your life miserable, and calls 'Mione a mudblood. I know you aren't thinking. All the blood has rushed elsewhere. Don't look at him! He felt his eyes slide over again. Damn it can't you control yourself at all? He probably doesn't even like boys. In the middle of this diatribe a little nagging voice perked up in his head and said 'He hasn't done any of those things this year. He's been positively nice, if that word could ever be used to describe Malfoy.'

It was about at this point when he noticed that Snape was standing in front of him asking something, but he had no idea what that might be.

"Umm. What was that Sir?" Harry flushed uncomfortably.

"I asked what it is you think you might be doing Potter." Snape scowled at him.

"I'm shredding these shrivelfigs Sir."

"Very good Potter," said Snape sarcastically, "and since it seems you've shredded enough shrivelfigs for all the 5^th, 6th AND 7^th year classes I'm sure you'll want to stay and help make more preparations for them after class. Detention Potter. I'll see you tonight at 7:00"

"Yes sir," Harry sighed and looked at his feet.

Class finally ended although it seemed like time just dragged and Harry walked with Hermione and Ron to History of Magic.

"Really Harry," said Hermione, "what's going on with you?"

"I just didn't sleep much 'Mione"

"Yeah," Ron added with a grin, "he almost fell asleep at breakfast. The headlines would have read Death by drowning in cornflakes. It would have been tragic."

Harry grinned back and shoved Ron. "I know you would have saved me. Heroes don't die from cornflake drowning. They die from more horrible terrifying things, like grand scale paper cut death. Those sting, and bleed a lot too."

"I don't know what world you're living in Harry, but my lips are not touching yours. That CPR thing you were telling me about? Forget it. You might swing that way but I don't."

"Awww.. Ron, I'm crushed. Really," laughed Harry knowing that Ron wasn't really as grossed out as he acted. He and Hermione had the whole summer to get used to Harry's sexual preferences. He had finally come out to them in June. As long as Harry didn't have any ideas concerning Ron it was just fine.

"I don't know why you don't go get a dreamless sleep potion from Madam Pomfrey," Hermione suggested. "At least you wouldn't be walking around looking like you're going to fall over. Plus it would considerably cut your chances of a humiliating death."

"You know I hate those potions," Harry grumbled. "Um, I think Voldemort is keeping a list on the death thing, something like 1000 ways to kill Harry Potter in humiliating ways. "

Harry made it through the rest of the day without any further disasters mostly thanks to a nice nap in History of Magic. Ron had been kind enough to nudge him when he started to snore, although, Professor Binns probably wouldn't have noticed anyway.

As soon as school ended he went out and sat down by the lake. It was probably one of the last nice days before fall really kicked in and it got cold, and Harry was enjoying it. It was very peaceful here away from everything. It gave him space and a chance to think about whatever was on his mind. He watched as a leaf made its way across the lake slowly floating on the gentle current.

Suddenly he jumped about a foot as a hand was placed gently on his shoulder. He turned to look up into the grey eyes of none other than Draco Malfoy.

"What do you want Malfoy?" he asked sharply. "Are you lost or something?"

Draco moved back a step, for once at a loss for words. His mind turned quickly trying to come up with a reason for doing what he had done and failed. He had simply been walking by and seen Harry sitting there staring out at the water all alone that he had for unknown reasons reached out and touched him.

Harry waited for Malfoy to come back with some biting comment but none was forthcoming. He saw the confusion in Malfoy's eyes and said quietly "Malfoy?"

Draco simply turned and ran.

You're running from Harry Potter he thought to himself. You call yourself a Malfoy? What did you see when you looked in his eyes? A piece of your soul? What possessed you to want to do something nice anyway? You know he hates you.

Harry watched Malfoy run back to the castle and wondered what that was all about. It certainly wasn't like him to be speechless about anything or to run away like that. He figured that there probably was a Malfoy rulebook for things like that.

Harry snickered softly. He thought to himself he could have been nicer, but he just didn't trust Malfoy's motives at all. No matter how much Harry tried to suppress it, he realized that Malfoy had been on his mind more than usual lately, and he had no idea what to do about it.

* * *

Harry finally finished the detention with Snape at 10:30. He walked back to the Gryffindor common room grateful that it hadn't been worse, and Hermione was sitting there waiting for him.

"Hey 'Mione," said Harry.

"How was Snape?" she asked with a grin.

"Not as bad as it could've been, that's not to say it was good. I did get out of polishing all of the cauldrons though. I got to sort next weeks potion ingredients. We're going to be doing mild truth serums. So what's up? I know you've got something on your mind. It's the only time you wait up for me after detentions."

"I just want to know what's going on with you and Malfoy." Hermione winked at Harry knowingly.

"What do you mean me AND Malfoy?" asked Harry blushing furiously.

"Well something must be up because you've just turned as red as the common room, but besides that you've been shooting looks at him all day. So I was wondering if I should be getting ready for some sort of upcoming disaster?"

"Nothing escapes you does it? I guess I sort of like him," Harry replied still blushing. "I mean I know he's a jerk and that my hormones have taken over possession of my good sense but I cant seem to stop looking. Heck I don't even know if he likes boys. I think if we could spend two minutes in the same room without killing each other I might like to get to know him. I know its nuts."

Hermione put her hand on Harry's "Whatever you decide to do, Good luck with it. You've got my support, Merlin knows you'll need it."

"Thanks. Night 'Mione." Harry walked over and gave her a hug and went up to bed. He didn't have any nightmares that night for a change.

* * *

Meanwhile down in the Slytherin dungeons, Pansy Parkinson walked along the back of the sofa where Draco Malfoy was sitting and ran her hand over his shoulders. He looked up at her as she walked around toward the front and casually sat down on his lap, leaning back and throwing her feet up on the sofa.

"Hey hon."

Draco gently shoved Pansy off his lap and onto the sofa. "Sorry Pansy, you're just not my type."

Pansy grinned at him. "Yeah I know it. Boy all the women in the country are just gonna commit mass suicide when they realize the hottest boy in England is gay. It'll make the boyos happy though," Pansy paused for a second. "Speaking of which, what's up with you and Potter?"

"Nothing. Now get out Pans, and mind your own damn business," Draco shot her a look that could have frozen water.

"Don't be giving me that look Drake. We've been friends since we were in diapers, I know you better than anyone, and I can see something's going on with you and him. I don't need to tell you that you have my loyalty. I follow you, not Voldemort, not my father, you, but I'm not like Vince and Greg. If you're going to make changes to our plans like I'm thinking you will, I really need to know.

"Pansy you're a pain in my ass."

"Yeah, I try. So what's up? I don't think it was Granger you were staring at all through potions."

"No..."

"Weasley then?" Pansy smirked.

"Gods no!" Draco looked horrified.

"Good. Cause I kind of like him. He's cute. I'd hate to have to fight you for him."

"Damn... Pans... You like the Weasel? Have you taken leave of your senses? All that red hair and freckles ugh. Besides you know what side we're on remember?"

"He has a nice ass, and he's cuter than Potter is anyway," smiled Pansy.

"He is not!"

Pansy raised one eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Go to bed Pansy. You don't need to know everything. That's my job."

* * *

The next morning Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking down to the Great Hall for breakfast when something, or rather someone, crashed into Harry. Harry almost fell over and books flew in all directions.

"You should be more...." He trailed off, as he noticed it was Malfoy that crashed into him. Harry bent down and picked up the book that landed at his feet, and handed it to Malfoy who was quickly gathering all his other books off the floor.

"Sorry... Thanks," said Draco quickly taking the book and going.

"Did Malfoy just say sorry?" gasped Ron, "and thanks? Ok hell has just officially frozen over."

"That's not all," Harry said quietly. "That book I handed him was Muggle Studies."

"Could Malfoy have possibly had a change of heart?" Hermione looked at Harry. "He has seemed different this year."

"It seems unlikely," said Harry thoughtfully looking down the corridor where Draco had gone, "but stranger things have happened."

Harry decided that he would go looking for Malfoy that afternoon after classes were over to see if he could get some answers. Maybe he could get some answers about his feelings, as well as what on earth was going on with this new improved version of Draco Malfoy. If things went ok he might have the opportunity to get to know him better after all.

* * *

Harry finally found Malfoy outside in front of the lake where he had been sitting the day before.

He walked up and said, "I see you've commandeered my usual thinking spot Malfoy."

Draco jumped and turned to stare at Harry. "You scared the hell out of me Potter. Don't sneak up on me like that."

"I owe you one from yesterday, Malfoy," Harry said with a laugh. "Mind if I sit down?"

"Would you listen if I said yes?"

"Probably not." Harry sat down and wrapped his arms around his knees.

They looked out at the water sitting there in silence for a bit. Just enjoying the quiet and the weather. The clouds moved slowly across the sky, and got lost in the trees at the horizon. Both boys were thinking their own thoughts. Thoughts that they would have been surprised to find were very similar.

"Malfoy..?"

"What it is Potter?"

"What's going on? What the heck was up with you this morning? I mean it's not like you to apologize for anything," Harry sighed. "I guess I'm not asking this very well."

"That's ok, you're just being your nosy self Potter," smirked Malfoy

"See!" grinned Harry. "There's the Malfoy we all know and hate."

Harry looked at Malfoy and could have sworn he saw a smile quickly cross his face at Harry's teasing. He would be so beautiful when he smiles thought Harry. There's just something that just lights up his whole face when he does that.

"What are you looking at Potter?" asked Draco, snapping Harry out of his reverie.

"Um, Nothing.. Sorry," Harry blushed, and looked away quickly.

"So," Draco looked peacefully out at the water, " did you know that Pansy has her eye on Weasley?"

"On Ron? Really?" Harry thought about that. Ron might actually get along with Pansy if they could get past the house rivalry long enough to get to know each other. "Think we should try and get them together?"

"Might as well try. Its not like they'd be stuck with each other. It would only be a date," said Draco seemingly indifferent.

"Want to set them up with a blind date for the next Hogsmeade weekend?"

"I don't think that would give them a fair shot." Draco looked over at Harry with his trademark smirk. "Your Weasel would probably take one look at Pansy and run for the hills."

"I wouldn't call him that if I were you," stated Harry.

"Why?" scoffed Draco. "Going to hit me maybe? Punch me for insulting your Weasel?"

"Nah.." Harry held in a big smile. "I wouldn't bother because I know Ron can take care of himself if you insult him. I wouldn't place any wagers on what Pansy might do if they end up getting hooked up though."

"Damn..." Draco looked at Harry thoughtfully. "That's a really good point. That girl can be downright scary if she wants to be. Gods, if they get together it would mean I wouldn't be able to insult Weasley. My reason for living would be over. Lets forget about the whole thing shall we?"

Harry laughed "Don't worry we'll find you another reason for living. Don't give up just like that."

"Why do you care if one of us 'Evil Slytherins' is happy? I figured you'd tell Weasley to stay as far away from her as he could." Draco was amazed that Potter would actually go along with this wild idea to set Ron up with Pansy. He had hoped for a chance to get them together since Pansy had mentioned she liked him but figured it was impossible without help from Potter or Granger to push Weasley into it. Something that he thought would never happen.

"Maybe you'd be surprised at who and what I care about. I wouldn't mind seeing Pansy happy. She doesn't seem to be so bad of a person, and besides Ron could use someone. If he spends any more time alone in the dorms after classes he'll go blind."

"Well there's an image I could've lived without. I thought he'd be following Granger around the school."

"No, Mione's not interested in him that way, and he's not interested enough in her to follow her to the library just to get stuck studying. She gave up trying to drag him there to learn something last year.

How about we set Ron and Pansy up for Halloween? They'd be able to spend a good 4 hours together without knowing who the other was if they stayed in costume."

"Well I'll probably end up telling Pansy who's she's going with. It should forestall any arguments that would start along Gryffindor/Slytherin lines anyway."

"That's fine, we all know Gryffindor is better than Slytherin anyway," said Harry with a grin.

"In your dreams Potter."

"Yes, there too."

Harry looked thoughtfully at Draco. They had just spent an hour together and they remained unscathed. It seemed impossible to believe. It was definitely too good to be true.

"Malfoy what's going on?" asked Harry.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Potter."

"Really Malfoy, I'm not that stupid. We've been sitting here for an hour talking. On a normal day you would've punched me in the nose or hit me with some hex and walked off. Why the change? Why are you being nice to me?"

"I left my wand in my room."

Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco.

"Ok, ok..." Draco raised his hands in surrender. He might as well bring this up now as well as later. "Harry, I know you don't have any reason to trust me, and because of that I didn't have any intention of telling you this yet, but since you won't let it go..." Draco frowned at Harry who was looking at Draco in surprise at his use of Harry's first name. "I want to switch sides."

"You're joking. And since when do you call me Harry?"

"No, I'm not joking. I don't know why I even bothered to say anything. Thank you for not rolling on the floor laughing," Draco said acerbically. "Anyway I called you Harry because I thought we might become friends."

"We aren't friends," Harry stated coldly, suddenly thinking of all the things Draco had ever done to him Ron, and Hermione.

Draco simply looked away and said nothing. I knew this was a bad idea he thought. Of course he doesn't trust me, and why should he? Maybe if I had waited a bit longer before mentioning anything...

"Look, I'm sorry," Harry suddenly felt bad for being so hard on Draco. Everyone should be given a chance, even Draco Malfoy he thought. He put a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"It was just a bit of a surprise that's all. What made you decide to switch?"

Draco looked up in surprise amazed that Harry would give him a chance so easily. Noble Gryffindors he thought with a smile. Mistaking the look Harry quickly moved his hand away, wrapping it around his knees again.

"Sorry."

"It's ok..." Draco easily accepted the apology assuming that Harry was apologizing for what he had said. He was sorry that Harry had moved his hand.

"Look, I know you've met the Dark Lord.... Voldemort." Draco looked at Harry uncomfortably.

Harry nodded.

"I met him for the first time this summer. I was looking forward to it so much. Finally my shot at some true power so I could make a mark in the world. I was so wrong. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my entire life. Voldemort just looks at you like he knows everything you're thinking, and if you step one foot out of line you will wish you were dead. He doesn't want equals or to share power. He just wants servants.

I was told to bow down before the Dark Lord, which I'm ashamed I did because I was so scared I couldn't think, and in retrospect it was probably the smart thing too, but I'm a Malfoy, and we don't bow down before anyone. We aren't servants. After everything he's ever said to me about familial pride there was my father next to me, prostrate before the Dark Lord without a word of objection. How can he humiliate himself like that? So, I thought, this is what I've been raised to do with my life. To kiss the feet of a half-blood wizard that will treat me as his slave. How pathetic. I realized I wasn't going to degrade my worth like that, that I had been wrong all along.

Harry, I'm really sorry about everything I've said to you. I didn't know what I was talking about. I was just spouting whatever my dad told me. Truce?"

"Truce." Harry took Draco's hand and shook it. "So what now? Does your dad know you feel this way?"

"Gods no, he'd force me into it regardless you know. Something about how I was made especially for the Dark Lord, and I don't really want to know more than that. Being Voldemort's in any way shape or form sounds like a really bad idea to me. The way I see it I have 3 options. To join up anyway and play house-elf to the Dark Lord, refuse to join under any circumstances and probably die at the hands of Voldemort or possibly my father, or join up with the side of good."

"Have you said anything to anyone? Dumbledore or Snape?" asked Harry.

"No, I figured I'd try and prove myself first. I hoped it would cut down on the laughter I got when I actually mentioned it. People probably won't take it well. Most of the Slytherins expect me to be on Voldemort's side with them, and everyone else won't be willing to trust me as far as they can throw me." Draco sighed and tossed a rock into the lake where it landed with a loud splash. "You know, last year I was sure my life was going exactly how I wanted it to, and I had some big plans. Now after this summer nothing I was sure I knew is the same, and thanks to my pride I'm stuck on a side I never expected to be on. No offense, Harry. I do have honor and loyalty you know; I just never expected the good side to be the recipients of them. It's a bit disconcerting."

"No offence taken Draco, but you need to realize that you haven't given people a lot of reasons to trust you. I'm more than willing to give things a try if you like. Trust needs to be earned though. Um... Most of the Slytherins?" Harry looked at Draco questioningly.

"Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle are loyal to me. They'll follow me wherever I choose to end up. I guess they figure I know best." Draco clenched his fists and hoped that he would do his best for them always. "We've survived too much together to follow our parents' choices for us. We've only had each other's trust for too long."

"Hopefully that'll change." Harry smiled at Draco.

Draco smiled back. The first real smile Harry had ever seen on his face. It lit up his face and made him look as captivating as he thought it would and for a moment Harry was speechless.

"We should be getting back," said Draco. "It's getting late."

"Yeah, and I need to figure out how to talk Ron into that blind date."

"I'll see you around Harry."

"Take care, Draco," Harry turned a second and waved and walked back to Hogwarts.

* * *

Harry wondered how to convince Ron that he should go on the date. He knew that Ron would want to know whom the date was with and that just leaving it blind would take some convincing. He spent breakfast one step away from bringing up the subject only to change his mind to try to think of a better way to present the idea.

By the time they got to Care of Magical Creatures, Harry had decided he'd try to get Ron to accept the idea even if he had to lie about the particulars. Obviously fixing someone up wasn't his forte.

He and Ron were paired up as usual and studying some weird creature that was a mix between a frog and a monkey. Hagrid had called them clabberts and there was a pustule on their head, which was supposedly flashed, red when danger approached. Harry had named theirs Rudolph.

"Hey Ron..." said Harry as he tried to stop the clabbert from groping in the wrong places while it used his pant leg as a tree trunk, "do you have a date for Halloween yet?"

"Harry please tell me you aren't asking me out." Ron shot Harry a very worried look. Even though they had had this talk quite a few times Ron still wasn't completely sure that Harry didn't want him in any way shape or form.

"I'm not asking you out. No matter how highly you may think of yourself I'm not interested in you one bit. You're family," snapped out Harry someone annoyed at having this conversation for the hundredth time.

"I wanted to fix you up with someone."

Just then Draco Malfoy walked up to them and smirked at Harry. The clabbert decided it wouldn't stop at the end of Harry's leg and was now sitting on his head holding on to parts of Harry's messy hair with its webbed hands.

"I see it thinks you're its tree," said Draco with a nod to Harry, just as Ron was saying, "You want to fix me up with who?"

"I want to fix you up with a girl," said Harry. "Blind date."

"Which girl?"

"Just a girl. That's why it's a blind date, because you wont know until you get there."

"Blind dates are blind because you don't know the other person. Not because you don't know their name."

"So this will be blinder than most. Just agree. It's not like you have a date or anything. It could be fun. I'm not fixing you up with anyone awful like Eloise Midgen." Harry looked over at Draco for help.

"It could be completely awful too..." Ron didn't feel like taking any chances.

"What's wrong Weasel? Scared to go out on a date with a girl?" smirked Draco who had been listening in of course, and jumped into the conversation with a quick covert smile and wink directed at Harry.

"Its none of your business Malfoy," snapped Ron who was turning red with anger.

"Well don't discuss it while I'm standing here then Weasel." said Draco.

"Maybe you're a faggot or something. Maybe you just don't date girls. I'm sure Potter could fix you up with a guy if you'd rather."

Just then Draco looked up at Harry and saw a very peculiar expression cross his face. He wasn't sure just what it was, but he thought that something was definitely wrong.

"I am not!" Ron face was red with anger, and the only thing holding him back from throwing himself on top on Draco and beating him to a bloody pulp was Harry holding him back.

The pustule on the clabbert's head had started flashing like a beacon from where it was sitting on Harry's head, and Harry was getting a splitting headache from the brightness of it flashing into his eyes.

"It's not worth it Ron. Let it go," Harry was saying although Ron really wasn't listening.

"Prove it then," Draco taunted trying to get Weasley to accept the date. "I dare you."

"I never said I wouldn't do it did I Malfoy," Ron said angrily.

Pansy smiled softly to herself. She had moved over to listen in when all the commotion started. It seemed she had a date to the Party.

Hermione had been watching the exchange with interest and she had also seen the wink Draco had given Harry. Something was definitely going on there and not just between those two.

"So much for that change of heart." Ron shot a look at Malfoy that could have killed him on the spot as he walked away. "I knew Malfoy wouldn't ever change. He's a Death Eater through and through."

Harry didn't comment.

Class ended without any other major disasters. It took some real convincing to get the clabbert out of Harry's hair. Apparently it really did think Harry was its tree. Hagrid finally managed to coax it out and Harry went up to the castle to get a potion from Madame Pomfrey for his headache.

On the way up he thought of what Draco had said. Apparently he wont take it well if he learns I'm gay he thought. I know it was always wishful thinking from the start that something might happen, but what a nice wish it was. I wont deny it hurts anyway. It really does hurt to hear someone you care about act like your lifestyle is a disease. I'm sure I'll be able to deal with it ok if I can just stay away from him for a few days... or longer. Harry sighed. Just then he saw Draco coming over to him. Damn, he thought.

"Harry," Draco said with a smile, "that was pretty good the way we maneuvered Weasley into that date wasn't it?"

"Sure, it worked fine. I wouldn't have managed it without your help probably."

"Are you ok Harry?" Draco noticed Harry didn't look right; maybe he was too harsh with Weasley. "I noticed you looked like something was wrong when I was saying that stuff to Weasley. You know I was just saying it to him to try to maneuver him into accepting."

"I'm fine Draco, it's nothing." Harry walked up to the Gryffindor common room alone deciding that he'd just try to sleep off the headache that was increasing exponentially.

* * *

Later that day, after dinner Draco managed to catch Pansy alone in their common room. He had told her the night before what he and Harry were up to concerning Ron, and was wondering if she had been listening in to their conversation during Care of Magical Creatures, so that maybe she would be able to offer some advice about what was wrong with Harry.

"So, Pansy I'm sure you were listing in to that conversation and are aware you have a date for the Halloween Party."

"Yup. Thanks Drake, it means a lot that you've gone and done this for me," Pansy beamed a smile at Draco.

"How close were you listening to what happened out there anyway?"

Pansy grinned. "I heard every word and saw every look. What's snooping good for otherwise? Why?"

"Well, Harry had this look on his face when I was saying that stuff to Weasley like something was wrong. I caught up to him after the class and asked about it but he denies there's a problem. I'll eat a blast-ended skrewt if that's the truth. What do you think?"

"I think you've got yourself into a great big mess this time hon. Do you remember what you were saying to Ron when you noticed he was upset?" asked Pansy.

"Yeah I was asking him if maybe he was a.... Oh Gods! You don't think that...."

"Yeah I think exactly that. He's probably gay."

"Alright!" Draco smiled despite the fact that he didn't mean to hurt Harry. "Ah, I mean... You know what I mean. Hell I didn't mean to hurt him. I'm going to go find him and see if I can fix things."

"Good, and now that you can be fairly sure about which side his bread is buttered on maybe you can get some," Pansy smirked.

"Get your mind out of the gutter Pans... I'm just going to explain and say I'm sorry, not snog him senseless on the floor of the Astronomy Tower," Draco grinned. "Yet."

* * *

Draco looked for Harry in all the usual places he might have gone but he didn't see him at any of them. He checked the quidditch pitch, the kitchens and even the library. Finally he decided that he had no other choice and walked up to the Gryffindor tower.

"I know I don't have the password but I just want to see Harry," Draco said as he argued with The Fat Lady. "If you wont let me in can you go and get him for me?"

"What the hell are you doing here Malfoy?" said a voice from behind him.

Draco turned to see Ron Weasley standing there. Perfect, after this afternoon I think the chances of him letting me in are slim he thought. Damn, damn damn, I have such rotten luck.

"I just wanted to talk to Harry. I don't suppose you'd get him for me?" said Draco trying to sound as nice as he possibly could.

"Harry?" Ron curled his hands into fists angrily. "Since when do you call him Harry? And what makes you think he even wants to see a filthy Death Eater like yourself? Why don't you crawl back down to the dungeons where you belong? Because you wont be getting anywhere near Harry if I have anything to say about it."

Ron radiated anger and distrust.

Draco gritted his teeth and leaned up against the wall. "Look Weasley, I know we don't get along but I'd like to talk to Harry. So if you could just go and get him for me I'd appreciate it. I really don't think he needs a watchdog."

There is no way I'm going to say please to this bastard thought Draco. I truly don't see what Pansy sees in him. It must be all hormones.

Ron was glaring at him with loathing. He crossed his arms prepared to wait when the portrait opened up and Hermione stepped out.

" 'Mione you wouldn't believe what this bastard..." started Ron when Draco cut in quietly.

"Hermione, I need to talk to Harry could you go get him for me please?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows at hearing Malfoy calling her by her first name and so politely as well, but she simply filed it away with everything else she'd learned in the past few days. Then she whispered the password and opened the door to the Gryffindor rooms.

"He's alone in his dorm. Just go up the stairs on the right."

"Thank you"

He was walking up the stairs when he heard the yell from the common room.

" 'Mione, have you lost your mind?!?" Ron was yelling. "That was Malfoy you just..."

Hermione put her hand over his mouth. She had come back into the common room to wait until Malfoy was done talking to Harry.

"Shush. First of all I can't hear if there's a problem upstairs with you yelling like that. Second, if you'd been paying any attention at all this year you'd notice that there's something going on between Harry and Malfoy. I'm not sure what it is but I don't think that Malfoy's so stupid as to do anything to Harry when he'd obviously be blamed for it.

"But 'Mione, that's Malfoy," said Ron this time in an angry whisper. "Malfoy. Evil incarnate remember? Death eater in training? He calls you a mudblood for god's sake! Why are you being so forgiving?!"

"I think because somehow I know Harry would want me to be." Hermione put a hand on Ron's knee. "Harry can take care of himself you know."

"Hmph." Ron sat down by Hermione to wait for Draco to come back downstairs.

* * *

Draco climbed to the top of the stairs and saw that Harry was asleep on his bed. He went over and sat down on the edge and gently ran his hand down the side of Harry's face caressing it softly. He was about to get back up and leave when suddenly Harry tensed and threw out a hand grabbing Draco's thigh and letting out a whimper.

"Drake?" Harry mumbled in his sleep.

Draco looked at Harry completely surprised.

Harry was dreaming. The dream was the same one he typically had, the one about the Third Task. Even after all this time it haunted him.

"Kill the spare," said that high cold voice.

Then he was tied, watching Wormtail cut off his hand to help resurrect Voldemort, and after that, his own hand was cut, the blood of an enemy forcibly taken. Soon Harry was writhing in the grip of the Cruciatus Curse, and in the dream he screamed from the pain.

Then suddenly the dream changed in a way it never had before. A hand reached out toward him through the pain filled haze and a voice said

"It'll be ok Harry, grab hold."

So he did. Reaching out toward the only chance he might have to live. Trusting that he was doing the right thing. As he was pulled up toward the other person he realized he felt safe, and then he saw who it was that saved him.

"We're stronger together than apart Harry." He heard as the dream faded and he woke up.

When Harry woke up the first thing he realized was Draco Malfoy was sitting on his bed. The second was that his hand was on Draco's thigh. He yanked it off as quickly as possible and blushed beet red.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" He looked down at Draco's thigh again. " I was asleep!" he yelled by way of explanation as he blushed beet red.

I can only imagine what he's thinking right now thought Harry. I can't believe I had my hand there, and I didn't even get to enjoy it. Why is he here? I don't want to see him not after this afternoon.

While Harry had backed himself as far away from Draco as possible while still being on the bed. Draco was leaning forward calmly.

"Harry..."

"What?" Harry backed up until the wall was in the way of his being able to move back even further.

"I just wanted to say I was sorry for what I said earlier."

"You didn't say anything wrong earlier." Harry relaxed a little, determined to pretend that what had been said in class never happened.

"Harry, I know I hurt you"

"You didn't hurt me. I'm fine."

Merlin! Thought Draco. Is he going to deny anything even happened?

"I guess I'll just have to prove it to you then," Draco leaned forward some more, and edged a bit closer.

"Prove wha...?"

Draco's lips landed gently on his kissing him softly. Harry's eyes opened wide for a second in surprise and then he leaned in kissing Draco back with enthusiasm and pulling him closer. This was more than he could have hoped for. Harry moaned softly as Draco's tongue slowly slipped inside his mouth to battle with Harry's own deepening the kiss. Draco softly slipped his hands under Harry's shirt and started to caress the skin on his back. Harry gently caressed the side of Draco's face and down his neck, his fingers doing their own little dance down bare skin.

Then Harry reluctantly pulled back.

"Someone could come in," he whispered breathlessly and smiled at Draco.

Draco held onto Harry's hand. "Hermione is no doubt waiting downstairs to make sure I haven't killed you."

"Mione let you in?"

Draco nodded.

"Remind me to thank her," Harry leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Draco's lips.

"Draco... Why?" asked Harry wondering what brought this about.

"I like you Harry, I have for a while. I'm really sorry about what I said this afternoon. I didn't mean any of it obviously. I just wanted to get Weasley to go on the date. A straighter arrow I never saw."

"I like you too. I never thought anything would come of it though."

Draco smiled. "Surprise."

"Harry, what were you dreaming about earlier? You said my name."

"Did I? I was dreaming about Voldemort," Harry said thoughtfully remembering the dream. "We're stronger together than apart."

Suddenly Draco shivered as if someone had walked over his grave.