My Last Breath

Harry was the first to awake the next morning. Sunlight streamed through the open window. He lie on the couch, wishing it had been a dream. He was supposed to be strong He couldn't believe that he had broken down in front of the one person who could never understand.

When he swung his feet off the couch and stepped right on Draco's hand. The dream from the night became a reality. Draco jumped awake and got to his feet before his eyes had time to focus. Both men stood staring at each other with matching shocked faces.

Not a word was spoken, but both agreed to never speak about the events of the previous night. Without a word Harry walked into his bedroom and got into the shower. An hour later, Harry emerged from the bedroom, clean and dressed for the day. Draco was sitting silently on the couch, staring at the wall.

"I, um, have to go into work for a few hours before my friends show up. You can do whatever but you can't leave. I'll be back in time to cook dinner."

Draco watched as Harry grabbed his coat and disappeared out the door. He wanted to ask so many questions, but knew they would have to go unanswered for today. He stood up and went to shower and prepare himself for the spectacle that was sure to take place at dinner.

Harry walked the block and a half to work with his head spinning. He should not be feeling this way. He should be ignoring what happened and getting on with his life. But everywhere he looked, he was reminded of it. He looked up and found himself in front of the coffee shop.

The tiny bell clanged as he entered, and he found Katie running towards him. "You have some explaining to do, Harry! What the hell was going on the other night?"

"Nothing important. He was just an old friend who needed my help. Now, is Mr. Dalton here yet? I've got to speak to him."

"Yeah, he's in his office, but Harry..."

"No Katie. I can't tell you right now. I'm not even sure I know what is going on yet." Harry pushed himself past the brunette and stopped in front of the office door. He knocked and was invited in by Mr. Dalton.

"Ah, Harry! Good. Could you make sure Katie and Jen know how to work the new cash register? Jim isn't working today and you're the only other person who knows how to work it," Mr. Dalton said.

"Sure, but sir, I have a favor to ask you."

Draco was bored. Really bored. It seemed like Harry had been gone for an eternity, when it had really only been an hour. Draco had showered, and had spent a long time choosing the best outfit possible from Harry's wardrobe. Now, he sat staring at the wall with nothing but his thoughts to keep him busy.

After another few minutes, he stood and started pacing. During his third time across the living room, he suddenly spotted something. It was Harry's old school trunk. It was shoved into a corner, and a dusty tablecloth covered most of it. Before Draco could stop himself, he was kneeling before it.

He reached out and slowly opened the lid. Its contents were mainly old school robes and books. A photo album with gold lettering caught his eye. He pulled it out and stared at the cover. The initials J.P. and L.E. scrolled across the top in fine gold lettering. As Draco opened the cover, a layer of dust fell to the floor.

He gasped at what met his eyes. It was a wedding picture filled with smiling and laughing people. Harry's parents. Entranced, he turned the page to find a picture of a very young Harry in the arms of his mother with his father smiling down upon him. Tears stung the corners of Draco's eyes. He had never seen such love.

Other pictures followed. Harry, Hermione and Ron at school throughout the years. They were always smiling, laughing and hugging. Harry and Sirius Black hugging and crying. Some pictures had writing underneath. "Celebrating Sirius' return" "Christmas fifth year." How could they always be so damn happy?

The final picture was dated the summer before they entered their seventh year at Hogwarts. Draco stared at the empty page before him, wondering why they had stopped taking pictures. The war. No one ever takes pictures when they're sad. Draco placed the album back into the trunk.

Other things caught his eye. A feather from a snowy owl. Hedwig. Letters and scraps of paper with scribbled notes. Finally his eyes came to rest upon Harry's wand. It was broken into two pieces and lying at the very bottom of the trunk. Draco wondered how it came to break. He knew it could be repaired if Harry wished it. But why is it lying at the bottom of a trunk, untouched?

Questions raced trough Draco's mind as he closed the trunk and returned to the couch. Confusion like he had never felt before sped through his body. Time passed unnoticed, and the sun began to set in the west. Draco jumped at the sound of his name.

"Draco? What's wrong? I was trying to talk to you and I don't think you heard me," Harry said with a confused look in his eye.

"Sorry, I must have been daydreaming. I didn't hear you come in."

"It's alright," Harry said after a slight pause. "Do you think you could help me in the kitchen? I've got to cook for like five people, and we've only got an hour before they get here."

Draco stood and followed Harry into the kitchen. After a few moments of unpacking groceries, Harry looked over at Draco who had a strange look on his face. Was that concern?

"Are you sure you're alright? You haven't said two words to me since I got home."

Draco silently prayed to any God that would listen that Harry could not tell what he had done. "I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind. While you were gone it all hit me."

The two men stood looking at each other for a moment before Harry turned away and started cooking. Sweet fumes of cooking soon filled the kitchen and surrounded Draco with warmth. All his thoughts floated from his mind, and soon the two men were cracking jokes and laughing like nothing had happened. At that moment, Draco felt happy for the first time in years.

Before that thought could sink in, Harry reached around Draco's slender frame and their skin met. Harry looked up, and they locked eyes. Draco found himself drowning in the deep emerald eyes. Without thinking he stepped forward. Harry could smell Draco now. He became engulfed in the warmth of the other man's body.

Draco reached up between their bodies and lightly touched the lightning bolt scar on Harry's forehead. Harry gasped at the touch. No one had ever touched his scar. Before either of them could make another move a loud buzzing sound filled the flat. They leapt apart. Ron and Hermione. With a last look over his shoulder, Harry ran to get the door.

Ron Weasley was nervous. He had faced many evil things in his years but none had made his as nervous as he was at this moment. As he sat on the bed waiting for Haley to be ready to leave, he checked and rechecked that the ring was still in the box.

He had gone out earlier in the day with determination. He found the perfect ring in a small muggle shop and walked out moments later, making plans. He wanted to marry Haley Brown, and he was going to do it tonight. He wanted his friends to be there. Tonight might be his only chance.

A cloud of steam followed Haley out of the bathroom. She crossed the distance of the room, and planted a soft, yet passionate kiss on his lips before moving away to get dressed. Ron smiled and began silently rehearsing for the night ahead.

"Bloody hell, Harry! What took you so long?" Ron said before stepping forward to hug his best friend.

"Sorry, I was cooking for you remember?" Harry said with a smile. "Where's Haley?"

"Still in the hall with Hermione. You left me out there to deal with their giggling and whispering. Thanks, mate!"

Without breaking their conversation, the two women entered the flat, hugged, and made their way into the living room. "Well, good to see you too!" Harry said sarcastically. Ron and Harry joined the girls, and they all sat down.

"So, Harry, tell us about this new house guest," Hermione asked immediately.

"Let me get some drinks first," Harry stalled. He exited into the kitchen only to find Draco sitting on the counter, swinging his feet. He looked up at Harry and smiled.

"Is it safe yet?" Draco asked.

"Let me tell them first. It'll be easier that way," Harry pulled out a couple of beers and went back to his waiting friends. How was he supposed to tell them that their rival from school was waiting in the kitchen?

Ron, Haley and Hermione took their drinks and looked expectantly up at Harry. He took a breath and said, "There isn't really much to tell. He's in some trouble and needs a place to stay so he's staying here."

"Do we know him?" Ron asked.

"Yes, quite well, I imagine," Harry said, stalling again. All three friends started asking questions at once, but before Harry could say another word, Draco's voice echoed across the room.

"Good to see you two haven't changed since school."

The sound of a breaking bottle followed this statement. Then a scream reverberated through them as Haley ran across the room and into Draco's arms.