The Pensieve

The Ball

Harry Potter woke up next to Draco Malfoy. Draco hadn't woken up yet, so Harry just gazed lovingly into the other boy's face. Three months had passed since they had confessed their love for each other, but Harry felt that he loved him more and more each day.

For a moment, Harry was startled, thinking that they were sure to get caught, but then he remembered that they were in Draco's room. Usually, that would be cause for panic, but Prefects in Slytherin were given their own private rooms. The other houses didn't give their Prefects this luxury, but Harry wasn't complaining about the unfairness. It meant that he and Draco were less likely to get caught together.

He knew he should be getting back to Gryffindor Tower, but all he wanted to do was to lie next to Draco. They had spent the most wonderful night together, which had included elegant food, romantic candlelight, and...well, let's just say physical activity.

Draco stirred, and a beautiful silver-blonde lock of hair fell carelessly onto his face. Harry gently pushed it back into its place, and Draco's eyes opened.

"Morning, love," Harry said softly. "Sorry to wake you."

Draco smiled sleepily. "No worries, mate. What time is it?"

Harry checked the clock on Draco's bedside table. "Quarter to six. I should be going soon."

"No," Draco groaned, putting his arms around Harry in a restraining hug and burying his face in the soft flesh of Harry's shoulder. "It's Saturday, so you can stay here all day if you want!"

"No such luck, mate. Ron and Hermione would be out of their minds with worry ("They're out of their minds already," Draco grumbled), and I've got Occlumency lessons with Snape." Harry thought for a second. "And you weren't supposed to hear that. Forget I said it. What I really said was 'remedial potions'."

"Ohh! So that's what you've been doing! I knew you and Severus couldn't have been doing potions, seeing as you both had your wands out when I walked in, and there was no cauldron! So, Occlumency, what's that like? Do you see many of Severus' memories? What do you- mmph!"

He was cut short as Harry silenced him with a kiss. "No more questions, Drake, I can't talk about it!"

"Well, fine then!" Draco said, putting on a mock look of hurt. "Why don't you run along back to your precious Gryffindors?"

"Because you know I'd much rather stay here with my precious Slytherin!"

"Harry Potter..."

"What?"

"You are such a tease," he laughed, pulling Harry into a deep kiss.

~*~

Harry snuck silently back into Gryffindor Tower wearing his invisibility cloak. Walking up to his dormitory, he had the distinct feeling that he wasn't supposed to be there, but he couldn't remember why. It wasn't until he walked in to see Ron and Hermione asleep in Ron's bed that he remembered. Of course! That was why he slept in Draco's room in the first place! Ron had asked his dorm mates if he could borrow the room for the night. Harry smiled and closed the door.

He quietly tiptoed back down the stairs and, for lack of anything better to do, picked up a piece of parchment off the floor.

It was an advertisement for the Yule Ball, which was coming up. The Ball was on Christmas Eve, which was a fortnight away.

He took a moment to imagine how wonderful it would be to go to the Ball with Draco, but he shook the fantasy from his head. It was one he'd been having ever since he and Draco had gotten together. The Yule Ball would be a perfect place to (to use a clichéd phrase) come out of the closet. But Draco would never have it. Harry couldn't blame him, of course. After all, the poor boy's father did beat him, so of course Draco would be afraid of their secret coming out.

And the truth was that Harry was also afraid of Lucius finding out. All these secrets, all this hiding, it was all to protect Draco. Harry would have done anything to protect Draco. He shook his head and smiled. He really was desperately in love with that boy.

"Harry?" came a voice. He whipped around to see Hermione standing behind him on the stairs. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Oh, I just woke up," he sai, truthfully.

"Where did you spend the night?"

"I went down to the library to do some research in the restricted section, and I fell asleep. I'm lucky I woke up before Madam Pince came!"

"Harry..."

"What?"

She looked him straight in the eyes. "You don't have to lie to me. I know."

Harry's heartbeat sped up. "What are you talking about?"

"I've seen the way you two look at each other when you think no one else is looking."

"Me and who?"

"Harry, are we really going to do it the hard way?" When Harry nodded, Hermione whispered, "You and Malfoy."

"Oh, God," Harry sighed, putting a hand to his forehead. "How long have you known?"

"For about...two and a half months. But I've suspected it for a long time now. Probably ever since he walked into the compartment on the train."

"But we weren't together then. We were just friends!"

"Harry, you've had a crush on him for longer than you realize."

Harry thought about this for a second. "I guess you're right. Hermione, what I want more than anything else is to be with him, but...I would really like your approval. I know I'm not going to get Ron's, but I would like at least one of my friends to be ok with it."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "Do you love him, Harry?"

"Yes. I do."

She nodded again. "I want to talk to him. Then I'll tell you whether or not I approve."

Harry sighed. "Draco's not going to like this. He didn't want anyone to know."

"Why not?"

"His father. He's...he's not the most gentle person in the world. If he found out..."

"I won't tell anyone, Harry. Now' when do you think I can talk to him?"

"I'll ask him, but there's not guarantee that he'll actually talk to you. He might just blow up at me."

"He'd do that?"

"Hermione, he may be my lover, but he's still the same old Malfoy in many ways."

"He doesn't still bug you like he used to, does he?"

"Hermione, you're bugging me! Let's talk about something else."

"Ok, what do you want to talk about?" she said with a grin.

"Well...did you have a nice time last night?"

Hermione blushed. "Not like it's any of your business, but yes, I did."

"You and Ron deserved a nice night together. You never get to spend that kind of time together, and God knows you needed it."

"Not talking about anyone I would know, are you?" Ron asked, coming down the stairs from the boy's dormitory.

"Oh, not likely, Ron," Hermione said with a smile.

"So, Harry," Ron said with a grin, "Where did you spend the night?"

Hermione spoke up before Harry could. "Harry fell asleep in the Restricted Section."

"You're lucky Pince didn't catch you, mate," Ron said, yawning. Harry silently thanked God for Ron's thickness.

"Shall we go down to breakfast, then?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, definitely!" Harry exclaimed. "I'm starved!"

~*~

"Granger wants to talk to me?" Draco exploded as soon as the words were out of Harry's mouth. "And, pray tell, what reason could she have for wanting to talk to me?"

"Well, it's not something you're going to like-"

"Spit it out, Harry. What does she want to talk to me about?"

Harry braced himself. "About...us."

"Us. As in, you and me. Being together." Harry nodded. He could tell that Draco was trying to contain his anger, but he wasn't doing a very good job of it. "And just how did she find out?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"She just figured it out. She said she saw the way we look at each other in the halls."

"You know, Harry, somehow that explanation really isn't working for m e."

"Well, it's the truth."

"You didn't tell her, did you?"

"No! Of course not! I don't want people to know any more than you do!"

"And why is that? You don't have a father that will beat you if he finds out that you're gay!"

"No, but I don't want your father to beat you any more that you do!"

"Well, it seems to me that he's going to find out now no matter what!"

"Hermione promised not to tell anyone."

"And I'm to trust that filthy little Mud-" he stopped himself at the look on Harry's face. "I'm sorry, Harry, it's just that...I can't trust her. Hell, I can barely trust you." He sighed. "That's just how I am."

"Just talk to her, Draco. It would mean a lot to me. She already knows. Talking can't do any more harm."

Draco sighed. "Alright. I'll talk to her. Tell her to meet me by the lake today after dinner."

Harry smiled and kissed him. "Thank you, Draco."

"You owe me big, Potter."

"Oh, believe me, I'll make it up to you."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "I'll hold you to that, you know."

"I'm counting on it."

~*~

Harry paced up and down the Gryffindor common room that night after dinner.

"Why are you so uptight tonight, Harry?" Ron asked worriedly.

"Uptight? I'm not uptight! I'm just restless, I guess. Too much sugar in my system. I almost wish Fred and George hadn't sent us all that candy from their joke shop."

"Well, yeah, me too, seeing as they hid a canary cream in almost every one of them!"

"Ah, yes," Harry said, smiling at the memory.

Finally deciding to calm down, Harry sat in a large armchair and waited for Hermione to get back. He stared worriedly into the fire, hoping Draco was acting at least slightly civilized. He almost jumped for joy when she came through the portrait hole with a smile on her face.

She walked over to Harry's chair and knelt down next to him. Looking into his eyes, she said, "You've got a great guy there, Harry. He loves you very much." She smiled. "You have my approval."

Harry smiled hugely. "I could kiss you right now, but I think Ron would get mad at me."

"Him and Draco both, yes." She winked at him. "And I promised him that I wouldn't tell anyone, but he didn't seem to believe me all that much."

"He's not very trusting, but you learn to love him."

"Apparently. Anyway, it's late, so I'm going to go on to bed now."

"Goodnight, Hermione. And thanks."

"No problem, Harry. 'Night!"

Harry leaned back in his chair, feeling more content than he had in a long time. It felt so good to be able to talk to someone about this, especially Hermione. She had always been the understanding one. Somehow, having her approval made everything so much less complicated.

That night, he slept better than he ever had since he and Draco became friends.

~*~

"Draco Malfoy, I love you more than words can say!"

Draco stared at him. "And...what brought that on, Harry?"

"Well, obviously you kept a civilized tongue when you were talking to Hermione last night."

"No, if I kept a civilized tongue, I would have called her what she was, but, out of love for you, I didn't. I hope you realize what lengths I go to for you, Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, yes, terrible lengths, like not calling one of my best friends a Mudblood."

Draco looked at him. "When am I going to be bumped up to 'one of my best friends' status? So far, I've been just a friend. Well...not just a friend, but you know what I mean."

"Draco..."

"What?"

"You're completely mental. Of course you're one of my best friends! Honestly..."

"Well, you never told me that! How was I supposed to know?"

"I should think that would be obvious," Harry said slyly.

Draco rolled his eyes. "You need to tell me with words Harry, honestly!"

"Alright. Draco Malfoy, you are one of my best friends," he said, and kissed him.

"Right. That was all I needed."

Harry pondered him for a second. "Draco, I love you, but you're mental."

~*~

Harry and Draco sat on opposite sides of the Potions classroom. It seemed that Snape had figured it out that Harry and Draco weren't going to fight, and he was keeping them apart more than ever.

This lesson was an extremely dull one. Snape, out of supposed concern for his godson, was too preoccupied to throw many insults anyone's way.

A couple of times, Harry's mind strayed from his work, only to be jabbed in the ribs by Hermione to realize that he had been staring at Draco. By the end of the lesson, Snape fully suspected something.

"Mr. Malfoy, I would like to speak to you after the lesson, if you don't mind."

"Of course," Draco replied, looking even paler than usual. Harry gave him a smile that he hoped was encouraging, but it didn't seem to calm Draco's nerves any.

~*~

After Potions class was lunch. Harry had been starving during the lesson, but he had suddenly lost his appetite. All he could do was sit and worry about Draco. He still hadn't show up in the Great Hall. It was all he could do to force down some food when Ron asked him why he wasn't eating.

Finally, Draco walked in and sat down at the Slytherin table. Harry had relaxed for a second, but tensed up at the look that Draco shot him across the hall. Many things were said in that one, short look, but the one that spoke the loudest was, "He knows."

~*~

"You told him?" Harry yelled unbelievingly. "I can't believe you told him! You of all people!"

"What was I supposed to do? Lie?"

"Yes! I've been lying for you!"

"Not to your godfather!"

No, my...my godfather is dead. But if he were alive, then yes, I would be lying to him!" Draco looked away angrily. "Draco, love, you have to believe me, I'm just trying to protect you!" He sighed. "But I suppose that's out of the question now, seeing as Snape knows."

"Why would that make any difference?"

"Well, Snape's like your father's best friend, isn't he? He's most likely going to tell him."

"He said he wouldn't."

"And you trust him?"

"Of course I trust him! He's my godfather!"

Harry looked at him incredulously. "Right. You trust him, but not me. Why is that?"

"Harry, I do trust you. To a certain point. But I trust him more. I've known him longer, and plus, he's my godfather. Honestly."

Harry sighed. "All right, Draco. If you think he won't tell your father, then I'll at least pretend to trust him."

"Harry, why are you so worried about this? I mean, it's not like you're going to get beaten or anything!"

"I'm worried about it because I care about you, Draco!" He smiled. "You're no good to me if you're beaten to a bloody pulp, you know!"

Draco sighed. "If you say so, Harry."

"Hey, Draco, stop worrying. I worry enough for the both of us. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

"Thanks, Harry," Draco said, not looking very reassured at all.

~*~

A little less than two weeks passed, and the day before the Yule Ball arrived. Everyone was riled up about it, talking about what they were going to wear and who was going with who. Everyone was wrapped up in pre-Ball excitement. Everyone, that is, except Harry.

"So, Harry," Seamus said. "Who are you going to the Ball with?"

"Oh, I'm not going with anyone," Harry said, looking at his feet.

"Sure, that's just what you're saying," Neville chimed in with a grin. "You're just keeping it a secret, aren't you?"

"Yeah, that's it!" Seamus said excitedly. "You just don't want people to know until the Ball!"

"Well, the two of you are going to be extremely surprised when you see me at the Ball without a date," Harry said gloomily.

"Yeah, sure," Neville said with a wink.

~*~

While everyone was counting the minutes until the Ball started, Harry was counting the minutes until it was over. It was a long way off. All through the night before, he had dreamed of going to the Ball with Draco, dancing and laughing as if they were the only two people in the world. Finally, when he had woken up, he realized that it was never going to happen.

When the time came around for the Ball, all the students waited for Professor McGonagall to open the doors to the Great Hall. Harry scanned the crowd, looking for Draco, but he was nowhere to be seen. A great, overwhelming worry came over him, but just then, McGonagall opened the doors and everyone rushed in, pushing him along with the flow.

Dumbledore had once again commissioned the Weird Sisters to play for the Ball, and the Great Hall was done up in tinsel, holly, and, to Harry's disgust, mistletoe.

Oh well, he thought. Might as well try to enjoy myself. He grabbed a cup of punch and sat down in a nearby chair. He watched Ron and Hermione dancing for a moment, letting his thoughts wander wherever they pleased. He was so caught up in his reflections that he didn't notice that Draco had walked in.

"Harry," he said, coming up behind his chair.

Harry gave a start and turned around to talk to him. "Draco!" he exclaimed. Suddenly, he realized he was in a room full of his classmates. "Er, I mean, Malfoy! What do you want?"

"I want to talk to you!" He was looking very excited. "Over here!"

Harry followed him over to a wall. "Draco, what're you-"

Draco muffled the rest of Harry's sentence by forcing him up against the wall and kissing him ferociously for a good two minutes.

"Bloody hell, are you mental?" Harry exclaimed as soon as Draco had stopped kissing him. "You're completely blown it! Look at all the people staring at us! Now your father is going to find out for sure!"

Draco shook his head. "No he won't!"

"What makes you so bloody confident?"

"This!" Draco said happily, brandishing a letter. "It's from my father! He already knows!"

"Draco, have you gone mad? That's a bad thing, isn't it?"

"Not anymore! He disowned me!"

"Er...I'm sorry?"

"Can it, you git. Can't you see? This means we can go public without worrying about what people will say!"

Realization dawned on Harry. "Draco, that's great!" he exclaimed, kissing him long and hard.

"But where will you stay?" Harry asked when they broke the kiss.

"Severus says that I can stay with him, even though technically, he's not my godfather anymore."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "And do you want to stay at Snape's place?"

Draco took a deep breath. "Not really. I mean, he's great and all, but perhaps you could stay at this place I know of. It used to be my Godfather's house, but right now, it's being used for...other purposes. You might be able to stay there, but you'd have to swear allegiance to our side of the war."

"Oh, believe me, I plan to."

"Great! Now, I've been dying to dance with you at this thing ever since we got together!"

"Oh, really? Then dance we shall!"

And dance they did, earning a few disgusted looks from onlookers and more than his own fair share of horrified looks from Ron, but neither of them noticed. In their own little world, there was only Harry and Draco. It was the best night of Harry's life, and both he and Draco were extremely disappointed to see it end.

~*~

Later that night, as they lay wrapped up in each other's arms in Draco's room, Harry said, "You know, Draco, seeing as you've been disowned, you're going to need a new last name."

"Yeah," Draco said sleepily. "I'll think up a new one in the morning."

"Well, actually, Draco...I was thinking maybe you could use mine."

Draco propped himself up on his elbow and looked at Harry. "What exactly are you saying?"

"I'm...I'm asking you to marry me."

Draco smiled hugely. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing would come out. So, in the absence of words, he gave Harry the most wonderful kiss he had ever gotten.

"I guess I'll take that as a yes!" Harry said happily.

"If you didn't, you'd be a fool. Of course I'll marry you!" He snuggled into Harry. "Although...no offence, but I'd rather try to keep my old last name. I mean, Draco Potter?"

"Ugh!" Harry commented, laughing. "Yes, lets see if you're allowed to keep that old last name of yours."

"Do, let's."

And so, the two young lovers fell asleep, dreaming pleasant dreams of the wedding and their life ahead.

~Fin~