Time to Kill

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Time to Kill

Chapter 2

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Draco walked down to breakfast the next day, after a particularly sleepless night, just in time for owl post. He wasn't expecting much today; just his weekly package of sweets he got from his mum every Saturday. To his surprise, a beautiful snowy owl accompanied his mother's owl. He stared at it, and it stared back challengingly, waiting for him to take his letter. He only knew one person who owned an owl like this one: Harry Potter.

He looked over at the boy. He was eating his breakfast with so much interest, it looked as though he had never seen food before. Draco smirked. Leave it to Potter to send him a letter and then try to avoid looking at him.

He was startled out of his thoughts as the snowy owl nipped his finger impatiently.

"Bloody pigeon," Draco mumbled, taking the letter and shooing the bird away. She flicked her tail feathers at him haughtily before flying off to nip her owner's ear.

Draco shook his head and opened the letter.

Draco,

Meet me by the lake tonight at 9:00pm.

~H

Now he was really confused. Last night, Harry couldn't get away fast enough. Now, all of a sudden, he wanted to meet him? Especially at a time when no one else would be around? He smirked in Harry's direction. It would be interesting to hear Harry's explanation. He would definitely be there tonight.

~*~

Draco arrived at the lake at exactly 9:00. It wasn't hard to locate Harry; the boy who lived was currently skipping rocks across the surface of the lake. He was really rather good at it, Draco realized after Harry got ten skips before the rock sank into the depths.

"Having fun?" Draco asked, startling Harry and causing him to throw his rock too hard. It flew twenty feet over the lake before falling in with an enormous splash.

"Draco!" Harry exclaimed, turning around to face the boy. "You startled me!"

"Yes, I noticed," Draco smirked. He walked closer to the edge of the lake and stared contemplatively out toward the center, where the giant squid was waving its tentacles above the water, irritated at having been woken up so rudely. He felt Harry shift uncomfortably next to him, and he grinned. "So, Potter, I assume you have a good reason for delaying my beauty sleep."

Harry snorted. "Yeah, as if you need it." Draco looked up at him, surprised that he would say something like that, and Harry blushed. "I'm sorry...that...that didn't come out right."

Draco smirked. "Don't be ridiculous. Of course it did. Now, why did you drag me out here?"

Harry took a deep breath. "Well, I did a lot of thinking last night, and I've decided that, if you like me, I'm fine with that. I mean...well, I don't know what I mean. I guess I can accept it that you like me."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying, exactly?"

"I'm not saying that I want to go out with you," Harry said quickly. "I'm just saying that I promised that I would help you, and I keep my word."

Draco's heart wasn't sure whether it wanted to sink or leap, so it settled for a very painful thump. "What are you afraid of, Harry?" Draco asked softly.

"What?" Harry asked, startled.

"I know you want me, too, Harry. I see it every time you look at me. Why are you so afraid to give in to your feelings?"

"You're insane," Harry said, turning to look out across the lake.

"Am I?"

"Yes, you are."

"Ok, then let me try a different approach to this question. Why don't you like me?"

Harry was silent.

"It's it because I'm a boy?"

Harry shifted slightly and crossed his arms. "No," he whispered, almost silently.

Draco smirked. "Well, now we're getting somewhere." He tried again. "Is it because you don't like me as a person?"

Harry seemed to consider it for a few moments. He almost answered a few times, but always fell silent again. Draco waited patiently for his answer. "No," he finally whispered.

Draco nodded and stared out in the same direction as Harry for a while, contemplating his next question. "It's because I'm a Death Eater," he concluded softly.

Harry sighed. "Yeah, it is. But not why you think," he added quickly.

"I don't see how it couldn't be what I'm thinking!" Draco said bitterly. "The only reason I can think of is that you think I'll blab your dark little secrets to the Dark Lord!"

"No! That's not it!" Harry replied. "Voldemort will be looking for ways to get to me," he explained. "If he found out that I liked someone, he would us them as leverage to get to me. And it would be much too easy for him to get to you, since you have the Mark now." He sighed. "It's not just you, either, Draco. I can't have a relationship with anyone."

Draco felt absolutely awful. "You mean, you won't admit that you like me because you're trying to protect me?" Harry nodded. "Harry, that's ridiculous! I am perfectly capable of protecting myself." He placed a hand on Harry's arm. "You can't push everyone away. I mean, what about Granger and Weasley?"

"What about them?"

"You care about them more than anyone else in the world. Voldemort could use them as leverage just as easily as he could use me, and I don't see you breaking your ties with them."

"I've tried," Harry whispered. "Several times. It's so hard!"

"Don't try, Harry." Draco turned Harry to face him and leaned their foreheads against each other. "No matter what happens during this war, you're always going to need someone to love you," he whispered.

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. "I don't want to put you in danger, Draco."

Draco dropped his head onto Harry's shoulder in exasperation. "Harry..." He sighed, and looked back up into the Gryffindor's eyes. "I am in danger every day. I'm willing to risk everything in order to be with you!" He leaned forward so that their lips were only centimeters apart. "Don't make me go through this war without you," he whispered pleadingly. He slowly brought their lips together in a soft kiss.

Harry responded beautifully for a second, but suddenly pulled back from the kiss. Draco looked at him hurtfully. "Harry...what...?"

"Please, Draco, don't look at me that way," Harry pleaded. "I just...I need a little time to think this over, alright."

Draco lowered his eyes and smiled a little. "Of course, Harry. Take all the time you need."

Harry started to walk back toward the castle, but hesitated. He suddenly brushed his lips softly and teasingly against Draco's, and then hurried back to the school.

Draco touched his lips and smiled happily. Oh yes. Harry Potter was his.