Remember You

Remember You
Chapter Sixteen
~~~~~

When Harry awoke twelve hours later, the early afternoon sun was shining brightly through the Infirmary windows, birds were singing, and a light snoring was coming from beside his bed. The Gryffindor groped for his glasses on his bedside table, and upon finding them, slid them onto his face.

Sirius was sitting in a spindly, wooden chair beside his bed, chin dangerously close to falling out of his hand as he snored softly. Harry noticed with some surprise that Sirius's hair, which was pulled into a low, messy ponytail, was turning silver. There were only a few strands, but Harry was surprised nonetheless. He had never thought of Sirius as old before, but now his hair was turning grey. However, it only seemed to add to his character.

Harry smiled slightly and twirled some of Sirius's hair around his finger in amusement. Sirius wiggled his nose, and began to stir, so Harry took his hand back. He vaguely noticed that it was healed, but still quite sore.

Sirius woke, rubbed his hand tiredly over his face, making a scratching sound as he ran it over the morning stubble, stretched, yawned, and then finally opened his eyes to look at his godson. "Morning," Harry said, smiling slightly.

"Harry," Sirius breathed out, grabbing Harry's wrist. "Don't ever do that again. You have no idea..."

"I'm fine, Sirius," Harry assured. "Is Draco all right?"

"Yes," Sirius replied distractedly, still looking over Harry, as if making sure he really was as fine as he said he was. "He still hasn't woken up, but Madam Pomfrey says he'll be fine."

Harry sighed in relief and relaxed into his bed. He stared out at the clear blue sky, noticing that ominous clouds were heading towards Hogwarts from over the mountains, but did not really care, so turned back to his godfather. "Your hair is greying... Did you know?"

"Of course I knew..." Sirius sighed and ran a hand through his hair, causing more of it to fall from the ponytail. "Harry... you have no idea how badly you scared me."

"I'm sorry, but I had to go. They would have killed him eventually. I... I couldn't lose him, Sirius. I love him too much."

The older man sighed. "I know you do. You don't have to tell me."

Harry was about to reply, but a small moan of pain interrupted him. Only then did he notice that curtains were surrounding the bed next to his. "Is that Draco? Can you check on him?"

Sirius willingly got up and looked inside, then sat back down. "He's just dreaming.... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you know who's been raping him?"

Harry choked on air, and his eyes opened wide. "R... rape?"

"Rape," he repeated. "Harry... this was why he was pushing you away before, isn't it? He was being raped by somebody."

It was not a question and Harry knew it. Everybody now knew about Draco. "Yes," he whispered. "But it's not my place to tell anybody who it was.... How did you find out?"

"When Pomfrey was checking him over, she found many bruises all over his body, which looks like fingers and hands, and traces of semen on his back. After she found that, she found it necessary to look further. She found traces of it there as well. There were also definite signs of rough handling during -"

"Don't say it," Harry interrupted hotly. Sirius grew still, his face cautious. Harry let out a shuddered breath and buried his face in his hands. "He was doing so well," he whispered. "Then they have to go and take him again. He'll never be the same."

"You don't know that, Harry. Madam Pomfrey is going to recommend a wonderful therapist at St. Mungo's. It'll be up to Draco to go, but I believe it would help him very much. He has been through a lot of trauma in the past year that will take a while to get over."

"I know," Harry sighed, turning to look sadly out of the window again. He only vaguely noticed when somebody gave a dry, wheezing cough, as his thoughts were centred on Draco, and how he would take to the suggestion of going to the therapist.

"Harry?" called out a wheezing voice.

"Yes?" Harry asked, getting out of bed. Sirius made to protest, but Harry sent him a look, challenging him to stop him, and Sirius relented.

"Where are you?" Draco coughed out.

"I'm coming. Hold on."

Harry opened the curtains surrounding his fiancé's bed and immediately climbed in, not waiting for an invitation. "Feeling better, Draco?"

"Sort of," was the noncommittal response. "I heard Professor Black say Pomfrey was going to recommend me a therapist."

"Yes," Harry said quietly. "Do you think you'll want to go?"

"My first thought was that they'd drag me kicking and screaming. But..." Draco sighed brokenly. "I'm so sick of feeling like nothing will ever be right again. I've always just tried to remind myself that they will be better because I'm going to marry you in a few months, but... it's never enough. I want to be able to love you unconditionally. I know I'm holding back, and it scares me. I don't want to hold back. I want to show you that I trust you... I want you to... I want to feel you," Draco paused, turning a light shade of pink. "... Inside me," he finished in a whisper.

Harry felt his heart jump into his throat and his heartbeat quicken. Draco closed his eyes tightly. "I can't though. It scares me. I need to feel better; I want nothing more than that. Would you mind if I went? If you don't want me to, then..."

"Don't be ridiculous," Harry admonished, brushing a piece of blond hair from Draco's face. "I want you to get better, so that you don't have to think about it all the time. I want to give you what you want."

"Thank you," Draco whispered as he placed a small kiss on Harry's cheek.

The two boys lay in silence for a long while, enjoying the peace that shrouded their small area of the infirmary. But as welcomed silence is wont to do, it ends with a sudden snap of activity. Both boys vaguely noticed the sound of a shutting infirmary door, but chose to ignore it for as long as possible. When the curtains were ripped apart, and the bright sunshine streamed in, they could no longer avoid the inevitable. Professor Dumbledore was standing at the foot of their bed, smiling benignly down at them.

"Good afternoon, boys. I'm glad to see that you are up. I was hoping for a small chat."

"You always do," Draco coughed into Harry's chest.

Dumbledore laughed lightly and pulled a chair next to their bed. "Circumstances warrant it, I am afraid." The Headmaster became grim suddenly. "And most unusual circumstances they are. A commotion was called in to the Minister's office last night, where I happened to be in a meeting with the Minister. As far as I am able to understand, you two had already left Malfoy Manor with Dobby, and were on your way back here when it happened."

"What happened?" Draco asked, lifting his head slightly.

"A large burst of magical power went through your childhood home, Mr. Malfoy, and that is what alerted the Ministry. Aurors and the Magical Law Enforcement were called, and when they arrived, it was to find the Manor in quite a state."

"My mother?" Draco asked frantically.

"Mild burns. She will be released from St. Mungo's this afternoon. I'm afraid that half of the Manor is in ruins, and is quite uninhabitable for the time being."

"Do you know what caused it?"

"Not quite yet. The Ministry is investigating. During their investigation of the dungeons this morning, they found something that was of interest to them."

Harry began trembling in Draco's arms and buried himself further into his embrace. Draco absentmindedly kissed the top of his head and held him nearer. "My father's body," Draco said tonelessly.

"Ah... I thought you might know about it already. Would you like to tell me what happened?"

"Will I go to Azkaban if I did do it?" Draco asked.

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and glanced at Harry's trembling body. "There may be action taken against you, but the situation may not warrant it. If you tell me what happened, then I may be the judge of it."

Draco then went into the story of what happened in the dungeon after Harry arrived, though it had a few lies tied into it. He made it sound as if it was Harry that had been bound to the floor, and not Draco, and Draco who had thrust the knife into his father's body. For the life of him, Harry could not figure out why Draco was lying for him, but in a way, he was warmed by the gesture. When Draco was about to tell Dumbledore of the third stab wound, Harry pushed away from Draco, sat up and looked at Dumbledore until they made eye contact.

"Draco.... thank you, but you can stop now," Harry said, feeling his voice shake slightly.

"Harry... no." Harry looked Draco in the eye.

"It's not a big deal. I'll take any punishment. Professor Dumbledore," he said, looking the Headmaster in the eye again. "Draco didn't kill Lucius..." Harry swallowed. "I did," he whispered.

Dumbledore nodded, leaning back in his chair and twirling the tip of his beard in his fingers. "I thought as much."

"What's going to happen to me?" Harry asked.

"Nothing, of course. It didn't matter which of you did it. It was in self-defence against a known and wanted Death Eater. If anything, you will be receiving a reward from the Ministry for effectively taking care of one of their escapees."

"But I..." Harry spluttered. "I killed a man! Why is that going to be rewarded? I don't want a reward for killing a man!" Harry exclaimed vehemently. "It's sick."

"I did not say that you would be getting an award for it, Harry," Dumbledore chided gently. "I said it was a possibility. Please do not get so worked up over it."

Any other thoughts that may have been on the tip of Harry's tongue were interrupted as the Infirmary door was opened once more to let the Minister of Magic in. Harry heard Draco growl low in his throat beside him. "Did you find out anything, Dumbledore?" Fudge asked pompously.

"Perhaps. What are your plans of action towards the person who killed Lucius?"

Fudge stuck his nose in the air, glancing at the boys on the bed and then back to the Headmaster. "It depends."

"On what, precisely?"

"Who did it."

"Come now, Cornelius. Be reasonable. Why does it matter who killed Lucius Malfoy? You have been looking for the man for quite some time now."

Fudge began to bluster, and his face started to turn lovely shades of red. "If I find out that you are protecting that Potter boy again, I'll--"

"You'll what, Cornelius?" Dumbledore's voice held a certain menace to it, and Fudge's anger visibly deflated.

"It does not matter, does it? I should only need to know who did it, and the circumstances. As I see it, it is still murder and the wizard will have action taken against him." Fudge glared beadily at Harry. Harry steadily met his gaze, but when the Minister finally looked away, Harry moved closer to Draco for comfort. Draco obligingly draped an arm casually around the Gryffindor.

"The circumstances were self-defence. As you well know, Draco Malfoy, here, was kidnapped from the most recent Hogsmeade visit."

"Are you implying that Mr. Malfoy killed his own father?" Fudge asked incredulously, glancing at Draco, who glared.

"There was never any love lost between us, Minister," Draco said steadily.

"So you did it!"

Draco opened his mouth to speak, and Harry had a terrible feeling what he was going to say, so he beat Draco to it. "No," Harry said quietly. "I killed him."

Fudge's eyes lit up with glee. "I knew it!" he crowed, and pulled out his wand. He pointed it at Harry, who felt magical binds tie around his body. He fell back onto the bed, and could not move any longer. "I shall be back within a few minutes with an Auror to escort you to a more proper holding room."

Draco painfully stood up as Fudge made to leave, as Dumbledore stood from his chair. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but found that his voice had been taken away. "Did you not listen to Professor Dumbledore?" Draco roared at the Minister's back. "It was self-defence. Lucius would have killed Harry and me if he had not killed Lucius first! Do you ever listen to reason?"

"Draco, that is quite enough," Dumbledore said quietly. "Let me handle it. It is as he said, Cornelius. Harry did it out of self-defence. Surely you can believe that? Lucius was a known Death Eater who would have done anything for his Master."

Fudge began to retaliate, but Dumbledore led him to a far corner of the Infirmary where they held quiet, but furious words. Draco sat back on the bed, and Harry immediately began to talk, though no sound came out. The blond understood immediately and took the jinx off. "Thanks. Draco..."

"You won't have to go anywhere," Draco smiled tightly, knowing exactly what was on Harry's mind. "Dumbledore is taking care of it."

Just then, Fudge blustered back over to them and undid Harry's binding spell. "You are free to go, Mr. Potter," he said furiously. Dumbledore then bid them good day and left the Infirmary. The Minister watched him go with nothing short of contempt and turned back to the boys, who were in the middle of sharing a brief kiss. Fudge sneered.

"You two are getting married this summer, correct?"

They both eyed the older man warily. "Yes," Draco said, gripping Harry's hand.

Fudge moved closer so that his knees were pressing against the bed, and lowered his voice to a menacing hiss. "Dumbledore may be able to help you out of tough situations, Potter, but so help me, I will make sure that nobody will neither marry you, nor let you use their premises." Draco gripped his wand tightly. "What you two are... it's unnatural. Don't expect any favours from the Ministry of Magic. We will not recognise any sort of union between the two of you." He sneered again, and nodded his head. "Good day, gentlemen."

"Bastard," Draco hissed as the Infirmary door closed behind the Minister. "I promise I'm going to help overthrow him when the time is right. We need a new Minister in office."

"What are we going to do, Draco? What if we're not able to get married?"

"Don't worry about it, Harry. I'll find a place if it's the last thing I do. Besides, somebody is bound to help us out." Draco guided Harry down so that they were both lying down again. "You know... we should really start planning the wedding."

"We should have more of a say in what's happening you mean. Hermione and Ginny have compiled a scrapbook of ideas that they came up with themselves and from books in the library. You should see how big it is."

Draco grinned and brushed a lock of Harry's hair from his face. "At least somebody is on top of it.... It's nice of them to take so much time on it."

"Yeah," Harry smiled. "I have really great friends."

"Sure... but I'll always like you more."

"Oh," Harry cooed, smoothing his left hand over Draco's side. "You're stealing my place as Resident Sap."

Draco wriggled. "Stop it," he hissed, smiling. "It tickles... and I am not!"

"Stop what?" Harry asked as he moved his fingers on both sides of Draco lightly.

"That!" Draco exclaimed, wriggling, a snort of laughter escaping. The blond clapped his hand over his mouth in dismay, but started to laugh in earnest.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said innocently, tickling ferociously. Draco began to fight back, and they started to wrestle. The sheets tangled about their bodies as they moved and laughed. Harry gained the upper hand, and rolled on top of Draco. Draco let out a pained yell and Harry immediately lifted himself onto his hands, horror stricken. "What did I do?"

"Just kidding!" Draco yelled, and then flipped Harry onto his back, where the blond began to pay the Gryffindor back. Harry laughed, and tried yelling for mercy, but he was laughing too hard. "How does it feel?" Draco asked, grinning. Harry gasped for breath, but could not say anything. As it turned out, he need not have said anything, as Draco suddenly stopped tickling him, and kissed him.

"Mmm..." Harry protested and Draco pulled away. "Need... to... catch breath... please."

"By all means," Draco purred, tracing his top lip seductively with his tongue.

Harry smiled, panting for breath. He licked his lips unconsciously and saw Draco follow the path of his tongue hungrily. "Ready?" he asked.

Harry nodded, and was hardly prepared for Draco to devour him as he did. Draco licked and nibbled at Harry's lips, earning a small moan, before thrusting his tongue inside of Harry's mouth. Draco sucked on Harry's tongue eagerly, as his hands began to roam. The blond manoeuvred his body so that his knees were on either side of Harry's right thigh, while he gently ran his hand down Harry's right side. Harry moaned into Draco's mouth as Draco massaged Harry's butt.

"Oh... Draco," Harry moaned when Draco pulled away from their kiss to nibble on his neck. Draco then ran his hand down to the top of Harry's left thigh. Harry obligingly lifted his leg, keeping his knee bent, so that Draco had to bring his hand around so that he could run his hand up Harry's thigh. Draco made feather light touches to the inside of Harry's leg, making the Gryffindor shudder with pleasure.

"I think I like hospital gowns," Draco murmured against Harry's neck, and then grabbed Harry's erection. Harry groaned and kissed Draco hungrily.

"Boys!" yelled an indignant voice. They both looked up with wide eyes to see Madam Pomfrey standing just outside of her office, hands on hips. "I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour under my watch! I will give you five minutes to straighten yourselves out, and to get into your own beds. Now." The nurse turned on her heel, and slammed her office door behind her. The boys looked at each other with wide eyes.

"That was humiliating," Harry muttered, glancing down to Draco's hand that was hidden underneath his robes. "Would you mind taking your hand off of me? Otherwise, I'll never calm down."

Draco sadly took his hand away and they both sat up, staring at their mutual problem. "I don't want to calm down. I want to finish it off," he pouted.

"Me too, but she'd hear if we tried that within five minutes."

"True. How do we calm down? Just looking at you is making me worse."

"Same here," Harry sighed. He thought for a bit and then brightened. "Have you ever heard of a Speedo?"

"No."

"They make bathing suits. They have one line for men that are absolutely disgusting if you imagine the wrong person in them. They're like briefs, only they cling to you like a second skin."

"Okay... but all I'm getting is you in a Speedo now."

Harry grinned. "Imagine this... Hagrid in a bright pink Speedo."

"Uh, that's disgusting... Er - Professor Dumbledore in a Speedo."

"Ergh..." The boys giggled.

Draco laughed triumphantly. "Professor Black!"

"Eew!" Harry exclaimed. "That's disgusting."

"I don't know," Draco pondered. "He is quite good looking for an older man."

"Draco! I never would have guessed!" Harry's eyes widened. "You're getting off on him!"

"Am not!"

Harry shuddered in revulsion. "Okay, so the image of Sirius lying naked spread eagled on your bed in the Slytherin dormitories doesn't turn you on?"

Draco closed his eyes and shuddered. Harry's mouth opened in surprise. "I don't know how to feel about that."

Draco looked at his lap sadly. "I'm not supposed to be getting hard again, Harry," he pouted.

Harry scratched his head, and then grinned. "Snape in a Speedo."

Draco shivered in revulsion. "Don't speak of my godfather in that way."

"I agree, just as long as you stop thinking dirty thoughts about my godfather."

"Deal."

The boys laughed some more as they shared a few kisses before Harry climbed back into his bed.

Madam Pomfrey entered the Infirmary again and glared. "All set then?" She bustled over, gave them each a potion, and began walking away. Neither knew what she gave them, but felt the effects begin to take over them. They were both falling into a deep sleep. Draco giggled suddenly.

"Madam Pomfrey in a Speedo."

"What about her boobs?" Harry asked, forgetting that they make women bathing suits.

"They hang freely," Draco giggled. "Imagine them... all old and floppy."

"That's gross."

"That's why you picked boys... so that you don't have to deal with anything getting old."

Harry chuckled. "Boys' equipment gets old, you dingbat. Before you know it, you won't be able to get it up anymore."

"I'll find a cure," Draco murmured. "I intend to shag you at least two times a day when we move in together."

Harry smiled as Draco began to snore, and fell into a deep sleep.

***

The next few days were dark and stormy, making Quidditch practice nearly impossible. But a blissfully sunny, warm day came five days after Harry and Draco's release from the hospital wing. Harry had just eaten breakfast and was lounging in the Common Room, enjoying the Saturday morning with his two best friends. Ron and Hermione were bickering amongst themselves, but Harry did not pay them any mind. Their voices became an almost pleasant backdrop to Harry's contented thoughts. Only when somebody began rapping loudly on the portrait of the Fat Lady, did Harry rouse from his thoughts to watch Ron open it up, scowling darkly. Harry could not see who it was.

"Malfoy," Ron snarled. "I should have known it was you."

"Good to see you as well, Ronald," Draco chirped, climbing through the portrait hole, completely uninvited.

"What do you want?" Ron asked, eyes narrowed.

"I'm here to see Harry, not to snog you, that's for damn sure. Keep your knickers on... sheesh."

Harry smiled and gestured Draco over to him. "Morning," he greeted.

"Morning..." Draco leered over at Ron. "Lover," he purred, still staring at Ron.

Ron curled his lip at Draco but did say anything. "Would you two stop," Harry chided softly, grabbing Draco's hand. "What brings you here, Draco?"

"I wanted to see if you want to go flying. It's so nice outside. Who knows when we'll get another nice day like this?"

"True. I'll go get my broom."

Harry sprinted up to his dorm, grabbed his broom and sprinted back down the steps. Draco and Ron were in the middle of a staring contest, with Hermione rolling her eyes. "Let's go, Draco," Harry said pointedly, and latched onto his arm. The two boys walked out of the Gryffindor Common Room and trekked their way to the front doors of the castle.

"Madam Pomfrey scheduled me an appointment with that therapist in two days."

"That's good. I'm glad you decided to go."

"Yeah," Draco replied. "I was wondering... would you... could you come with me when I go?"

"Of course. Nervous?" "No!" He exclaimed indignantly, but he bit his lip.

Harry searched his face for a few moments and shrugged. "Well, let's just not think of it right now. Flying will take your mind off of things for a while."

So, they walked to the Quidditch pitch in silence, thankful that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were not practicing at the moment, and took to the skies. They flew for hours, looping, diving, trying out new tricks together, and doing anything else that seemed dangerous enough to give them that adrenaline rush that they both loved so much while flying. When Harry tired of flying, he landed and sprawled out on the grass, idly watching the spot in the sky that was Draco, flying with abandon. Five minutes after Harry landed, Draco landed beside him and laid down as well.

"That felt so good," Draco sighed as he attempted to catch his breath.

Harry could not have agreed more, but did not say anything. The comfortable silence stretched on for a few moments before Draco broke it.

"So... when we get our own place, do you want it to be in the Muggle or Wizarding world?"

"Doesn't matter, really. Anywhere that we can find a place, I suppose."

"That's good. Severus, Black, and Lupin went out together a while ago, so that we could get a feel for what we're looking for. They said that they found a perfect place for us and put it on hold for us. It's in Muggle London. I believe they said it was in Notting Hill. Severus went back--"

"Wait, isn't that dangerous for him to go by himself?"

"He had a disguise," Draco dismissed Harry easily. "Anyway, he went back and took pictures. He has them if you want to come see them later."

"Yeah, that's sounds good. Are you sure you want to live in Muggle London?"

"I suppose it might not be so bad. It'll give me a different perspective anyway. You'll have to give me lessons on Muggle stuff."

Draco said this last part with a strained voice. Harry shook his head. "I think you'd be fascinated with Muggles once you give them a chance."

"Oh, I know they have amazing things. I was studying with Granger about a month ago, and she needed a book with Muggle references in it. I was looking over her shoulder, and started reading about their architecture. It's completely mind boggling..."

Harry raised a brow. "How so?"

"Anything as tall as the buildings in New York City had to have had help by wizards. It's ridiculous, really, how they manage something like that."

Harry felt his mouth quirking up at the corners and tried very hard to keep from laughing, but Draco's look of incredulity was so funny, that he could not help himself, and burst out laughing.

"Stop laughing, Harry. I'm serious. Anything that tall should not be able to stand on its own. I've now made it a point to read up on every large building, national monument there is in the world and it makes absolutely no sense. You know which one really boggles my mind, Harry?"

Harry took a calming breath, trying to regain composure. It was really a wonder to see Draco so utterly confused by something so insignificant. "What's that, Draco?"

"That big arch thing in the States. What is that thing anyway? Wizards had to have a part in that!"

"No, Draco. Muggles built the entire thing."

"What is it for anyway? It's stupid looking... Well, it is pretty magnificent but it's stupid."

Harry shook his head. "I remember learning a little American history in primary school.... I think it's the Gateway to the West. It's a symbol to the Americans of how they made all that land theirs, how they migrated to the West. St. Louis, Missouri was... I don't know... the official stop before heading west. Hence the name, Gateway to the West."

Draco stared at Harry with a lost look, when finally he just shook his head. "I don't get it, Harry." The tone of his voice was so confused, so lost that it made Harry smile fondly at the boy.

"You're cute when you're confused."

"Don't make fun," Draco scowled.

"I'm not. You really are."

"Shut up..." Draco seemed to be struggling with a good word to call his boyfriend. "Pretty boy!"

"Pretty boy? I'm hurt. Really, I am," Harry said in mock hurt and indignation. "No, but seriously Draco... someday soon, I'll take you to every building and monument that confuses you and we'll figure it out together. We'll take a year off and travel all around the world together."

"I like that idea," Draco said quietly, his silver eyes gleaming happily.

"Me too."

Draco seemed to contemplate Harry for a moment, biting his lip. "Well, that's the future. Right now, you're looking quite delicious."

Draco set forth, crawling on his hands and knees with a new predatory gleam that Harry had come to know well in the past year and a half that they had been together. "Eew. Draco, I just got done flying. I'm all sweaty and gross still."

"Mmm..."

"You hate it when I'm sweaty," Harry protested, though he could not really think of why. But then he looked around as a bird chirped and remembered that they were sitting in the middle of the Quidditch pitch.

"I don't recall ever saying that. Besides, even if I did find it gross, I'm finding it strangely attractive right now." And Draco pounced on Harry, effectively tackling him the rest of the way to the ground. Any protestations that may have been on the verge of coming out were cut off when Draco's soft, pink lips found his own and ravaged them. Harry tried to protest, but he gave in when Draco licked the roof of his mouth. They laid there for quite some time, and had no intention of getting up until it was absolutely necessary.

***

Two days later on Monday afternoon, Harry was impatiently waiting for dinner to end. Draco's first appointment was to take place at half past six that evening. Professor Snape had insisted on going, but Dumbledore had been firmly against the idea, and had appointed Remus and Sirius to take the two boys to London.

Harry did not know who was more nervous about the appointment, Draco or himself. Draco had been a bundle of nerves all day, trying to take on the persona of somebody who did not care that they were going to see a therapist that evening. Harry glanced toward Draco, where he was sitting at the Slytherin table, chewing absentmindedly on some chicken. The blond kept taking deep breaths of air, looking up at the High table at Snape, who would nod, then look back at his plate and brood. Harry, himself was not eating much at all, and fidgeting so much that Hermione was beginning to stare worriedly at him. Harry had not told either one of them about what Draco had gone through with Voldemort, and would not tell them.

"Harry?" Hermione finally asked as dessert appeared on the table. "What are you so jumpy for?"

"I'm not jumpy," he defended. "I'm just a little strung up about the exams. They're coming up so quickly."

"Oh, me too," Hermione sympathized. "The N.E.W.T's are even worse than the O.W.L's. I'll be so glad when they're over."

This thankfully started up a conversation with the surrounding seventh years that Harry chose to ignore. Ron served him a piece of pie, but did not eat it. Sirius was headed his way, and Remus was heading towards Draco. Harry swallowed and stood up.

"Ready to go, Harry?" Sirius asked, smiling slightly.

Harry nodded tightly, to which Sirius frowned. "You have nothing to worry about. You're just along for the ride."

"So, you're saying that Draco does have something to worry about?"

"Heavens, no!" Sirius exclaimed. "You two are getting worked up over nothing."

"Where are you going, Harry?" Ron asked.

Harry jumped. "I... er -"

"Nowhere important, Ron," Sirius said dismissively. "We were just going to go search for a home for these two, is all."

Harry glanced at Hermione, who had her brow furrowed, staring at Harry suspiciously. "Yeah... home searching. I'll be back later tonight. Hermione, do you want to show me what you and Ginny have come up with for the wedding?"

"Sure. I'll get it ready for when you get back," she said slowly.

"Thanks. See you later."

Sirius led the Gryffindor away to a chorus of 'see you later, Harry!'

"Anyway, what I was saying before," Sirius continued quietly as they walked to the entrance hall. "It's not as big of a deal as you two have been making it out to be. Draco will have to speak about the things that he doesn't want to speak about, so it will be more of an emotional ordeal for him, but it will help in the long run. I'm glad that he's decided to get help. I'm positive it will help your relationship out hugely."

Harry nodded, but still felt worried about Draco. Remus and Draco were waiting by the doors for the other two and they both smiled as their respective boyfriends emerged from the Great Hall. "Dumbledore had a portkey made for us," Remus informed them, as he held out an empty bag of lemon drops. The four men each grabbed a corner, and Draco grabbed Harry's hand tightly as Remus counted down. "Three... two... one."

Harry felt the unmistakable pull behind his navel as the portkey transported them to the alley near the entrance of St. Mungo's. Remus led the way into the hospital and up to the correct floor. Draco trailed behind them with Harry looking back every once in a while to make sure he was still with them. The blond looked nauseous, his face taking on a green hue.

When they entered the room for therapists, Harry pulled Draco by the hand and sat them both in chairs beside each other. Draco inhaled deeply. "I don't want to go anymore, Harry," he said quietly, looking around the room with wide eyes.

"It's too late now," Harry whispered, stroking the back of Draco's hand with his thumb. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

Draco turned to look at Harry with worried eyes. "I just don't want to tell a complete stranger about my life. I don't want to talk about it. She's going to make me talk about Voldemort and probably you--"

Harry smiled slightly. "Have I been so traumatizing?"

"Well, no. I would rather keep thoughts on you to myself. You're mine and that's that."

"Are you afraid that she'll try to take me away from you or something?" Harry asked, furrowing his brow.

"Don't be daft. I'm afraid she'll try to turn me straight." Harry bit his lip trying to keep the corners of his mouth from lifting in a smile. "I doubt it, Draco. That's not in her description."

"Does the healer have a brochure? If she does, I bet it's in the small print! There's always a condition that nobody ever tells you about until you buy the product!" Draco exclaimed wildly. "I can see it now. The big print says, 'Feel better in three weeks guaranteed!' Then if you're even lucky to see the small print, it'll say, 'May take longer if you are gay, as we will need to cure you of that as well.'"

Harry looked desperately to Sirius and Remus who were listening in, small smiles fighting to break across their face. Remus covered his mouth with a fist and cleared his throat. "Draco, you have nothing to worry about," he assured. "Healer Adina is not like that, I assure you."

"How do you know?" Draco asked.

"Well... I went to see her a few years ago, and she was very understanding. I believe she has a sister who is a lesbian, and is very supportive of her."

Draco still looked a bit sceptical, but was also visibly relieved. "Draco Malfoy," called a woman's voice at that moment. Draco tensed and squeezed Harry's hand to an almost unbearable point. Harry looked up to see Healer Adina standing in the doorway to her office, smiling slightly. She was a rather tall woman with brown, curly hair that had streaks of grey in it. It was pulled up into a messy bun, letting tendrils of hair fall into her face. She pushed one patiently from her face and gestured into her office. "Mr. Malfoy, would you like to come into my office?"

"Not really, no. Thanks for the invitation, Healer. I appreciate it. Come on, Harry. Let's go back to Hogwarts."

Draco pulled Harry up to begin walking away, but the darker boy would not walk forward. "Fine, be that way, Harry. I'll go home without you."

Adina smiled sympathetically, and banished her clipboard to her office. "Draco, I understand your reluctance to come in to speak with me, but it would be most beneficial to you, if you did so."

"I don't want to be straight!" Draco said vehemently.

Sirius and Remus snickered behind them. Healer Adina raised her eyebrows. "You don't do you? That's fine with me, Draco. Now, come along."

Draco still held back, so Harry turned him around and took the blonde's hands in his. "Draco," he said quietly, "please give the healer more credit than that. She has other things to do, other than turn you on the straight and narrow." Harry lifted a hand and gently caressed Draco's cheek. "You'll be fine," he whispered. "Please do this for yourself."

Draco offered a weak smile, and taking Harry by surprise, kissed him firmly. The blond then turned around and walked into the office resolutely. The healer smiled at Harry, winked and then closed the door behind herself. Harry sunk heavily into the chair and sighed. "What a piece of work," he muttered.

"Maybe so," Remus said, "but have you seen your ring?"

Harry looked down at it smiling, and was surprised to see it glowing the most brilliant gold, instead of a white gold. It was so bright that Harry had to squint his eyes to see the emeralds on it. "What--"

"Once a person wears wizard gold for a while, it attaches to their owner in a way," Sirius informed Harry. "It can sense the mood of both wizards, or witch and wizard, whichever it may be. In your case, it sensed that Draco was feeling intense love and gratitude toward you, so shone it's brightest. See? Even now it's going back to normal because Draco is probably not thinking about you anymore."

Harry looked down to see that it was indeed turning back to a soft silver-white glow. The young Gryffindor smiled contentedly and sat back in his chair with a small sigh. Sirius came to sit on the other side of him.

"You're really happy, aren't you?"

"Yes," Harry replied without hesitation. "I just wish that Voldemort was gone, and then I could really start living my life."

"It'll be over soon enough," Sirius said, though his voice did not contain conviction.

"Maybe. But who knows... it might be me that it's over for, not Voldemort. He might be the one to kill me."

"Don't talk like that!" Remus admonished harshly.

"We all know it's true, Remus," Harry said tiredly.

Remus sighed. "I know, but I don't like to hear you talk like that. If you think pessimistically, nothing good will happen for us. We all deserve something good."

"Yes," Sirius sighed. "Yes, we do."

Another hour later, Draco emerged from the doctor's office, looking shaken. The blond immediately found comfort in Harry's arms, and Harry's ring began to glow brightly again. It made Harry's heart swell, and he squeezed the Slytherin to him tighter. Healer Adina emerged from her office directly after Draco.

"Mr. Potter? Could I speak with you for a moment?"

Harry's brow furrowed and he gently pried Draco from him. "No," Draco whimpered, trying to take hold again.

"Draco, please," Harry pled, worry filling his entire body.

"Harry... don't go."

"I'm going to speak with Healer Adina."

Sirius came up to them and helped take Draco away. Draco seemed reluctant, but also trusted Sirius enough, so clung to him as Harry went to speak with Healer Adina.

"What's wrong with him?" Harry asked, accusation lacing his voice.

"It's the after effects of the spell--"

"Spell? What spell?"

"First, Mr. Potter, let me explain the procedure I used. It is very important that you understand what is going on with Draco and how to take care of him after a session. As he gets better, he will not react in this way."

"But what about this spell?"

"That is part of the explanation. In cases such as Draco's, it is necessary to make them relive it..." Harry began to protest but Adina held her hand up to stop him. "I know that you probably do not agree, but it is proven to work in both the Muggle and Wizarding world. In the Muggle case, they hypnotize their patients. I, on the other hand use a spell that will make him relive the incident. Tonight, I had him relive the first time it ever happened. After he was through with the memory, we proceeded from there. The patient is always in one of two states after treatment - the way you see Draco now, clingy, or distant."

Harry looked worriedly at Draco, who had buried his face in Sirius's robes. Sirius was softly stroking his blond hair, murmuring words of comfort. "Is either one better?" he asked.

"Not necessarily, though in my observations, patients who come from their sessions clingy are more susceptible to treatment. They are the ones who want to move past their trauma and live a better life."

"How long will it take for Draco to return to normal after tonight?"

"To get over side effects from reliving the trauma, an hour or so. If you're asking about how long it will take for him to get better from his entire experience, I cannot say."

Harry nodded. "Is there anything else, Healer?"

"Not unless you have any questions that you would like to ask me."

"Well... is there a certain way I should handle him after an appointment?"

"In his case, treat him gently, how your friend is right now. Let him be near whomever he wishes. If you do what he wants, the side effects are likely to vanish more quickly."

"Okay. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Oh, and Mr. Potter? If you could speak with Draco to see if he is willing to visit me twice a week instead of one that would be helpful."

"Why do you want to see him twice?"

"Reliving one memory often takes most of the session, leaving us only a few minutes to speak about it. If I could see him twice a week, it could give us a much needed head start."

"I'll talk to him about it."

"Owl me when you have your answer. Mondays at this time, and Fridays in the afternoons are preferable if you can make it. Have a good night, Mr. Potter."

"Thank you, Healer. You, too."

Harry walked back to Draco and ran a comforting hand down his back. Draco tensed for a moment and looked up at Harry. When he saw who is was, he detached himself from Sirius, and latched onto Harry once more. "Let's go back to Hogwarts," Harry said quietly to his godfather and Remus. Remus pulled out the return portkey which was a full bag of lemon drops. Remus said the Headmaster requested that Harry take it when they were done with it. The four men reappeared in the entrance hall, which was blissfully deserted since it was well after curfew. Draco was still shaking slightly and did not let up his hold on Harry. Sirius looked down on them with concern.

"Why don't you two go to that classroom of yours and spend the night there?"

"Hermione is expecting me to go over some wedding things," Harry said.

"Why don't I send her down to you?" Remus suggested. "I can nip up there for a few minutes and escort her down."

"Is that okay, Draco?" Harry asked.

Draco lessened his hold and nodded, smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I feel like a fool."

"It's okay," Harry murmured, stroking his blond hair. "It's understandable."

"You boys go on up then. I'll go visit Dobby so that he can send you some tea and something to eat." Sirius ruffled Harry's hair and then hurried towards the kitchens. Remus climbed the stairs with them until it was time to part, bid them goodnight and continued his way to Gryffindor Tower.

Draco and Harry found that somebody had supplied their classroom with some of their clothes, so they changed wearily into their pyjamas and sunk onto the couch, waiting for Hermione to arrive. A small knock sounded on the door five minutes later and Hermione entered with a large book weighing her down.

"I don't believe it," she said, plopping the book onto the table in front of them with a loud thump.

"What?" Harry asked.

"That you were out looking for a place to live. Where were you?"

"No whe--"

"I was at a therapist," Draco said, trying to sound disdainful, but he ended up sounding drained.

"Therapist?" Hermione asked blankly. "Why would you need to go to a therapist?"

"The same reason anybody else would. I have problems."

"Oh," she said, furrowing her eyebrows as she sat slowly in a chair. "Well, are you both up to planning the wedding tonight?" Harry smiled gratefully at her when she obviously decided not to prod any further.

"We are until we fall asleep," Draco replied, burrowing into the cushions behind him.

"Well," Hermione said briskly, moving so that she sat in-between the two boys. "We'll start with colours. Were you two thinking of any specific colours that you wanted in your wedding? I was thinking you two could each pick your own colour, obviously something that matches, or looks well together, and have those colours as your vests. The rest of your attire could be white. Ginny and I looked up colours and their meanings for weddings. I have some right here." She pushed the book toward Harry, flipped to a page in the middle that had a large caption on the top that appropriately said, 'Colours.'

"Well, I don't know, Hermione," Harry scratched his head. "I want to find out what we're wearing before we find out a colour."

"I know what we're wearing already," Draco said, on the edge of falling asleep.

"You do?" Harry asked. "What are we wearing?"

"Never you mind. It's a surprise."

"I don't trust it," Harry argued.

"I'm designing it," Draco said indignantly, rising from sleep, glaring at Harry.

"You design clothes?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I've never done it before, no... But, I've always had these dream robes that I've always wanted made, but I've never had the chance to actually draw them or anything. They're fancy enough for a wedding."

"You can draw?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not bad," Draco shrugged. "I do it every once in a while, but I wouldn't say I'm great at it or anything."

"I never knew that," Harry frowned slightly.

"It's nothing I've ever wanted to share with anybody before." If anything, Harry frowned even more, slightly offended. "Stop that, Harry," Draco smacked Harry lightly on the arm. "I'll show you some day. Do you want me to design our wedding robes?"

"If you really want to."

Draco's eyes lit up with glee. "I can't wait to wear them. They're going to be magnificent. My father would never let me tell anybody exactly what I wanted, and of course these are a little too fancy to go strutting around in at Diagon Alley or something."

Hermione raised her eyebrows and cleared her throat. "But you have to have some idea of what colour here interests you, Harry... Draco."

The boys looked to the list and contemplated. "Yellow, pink, and red are definitely out of the question because they're ugly," Draco said, putting a magical line through them with his wand. "My first choices are silver, green--"

"Figures," Hermione muttered.

Draco glared. "Not because they're Slytherin... I like them. Anyway, silver, green, and dark blue."

"I like all of those, but I like gold better than dark blue," Harry offered.

"Well, unless you both change your minds about them, I think we can put a safe bet on green and silver since they're your moot point," Hermione said, crossing out all colours except the four that the boys liked. "Maybe we'll be able to work gold and dark blue into the ceremony or reception somehow. That way, you'll both be happy. Now it is just the matter of deciding who will be wearing what colour."

"I'll wear green," Draco said, "and Harry can wear silver... being the bride and all that. It is the closest to white."

Harry pushed Draco lightly on the shoulder while Hermione snickered. "Anyway," Hermione continued. "As for flowers... I read up on Medieval weddings, and found some of their rituals for flowers nice. We could try rosemary tied into garlands, and burned in incense braziers. We could also get some freshly cut herb leaves and flower petals to scatter along the path that you will walk down. But then Ginny also suggested charming the room you get married in to rain flower petals down, and I thought that that would be lovely as well." "Granger," Draco yawned. "I'm tired. I've had an exhausting night, and the last thing I want to be dreaming about are flower petals falling from a ceiling. Can we please talk about this some other time?"

Hermione 'hmphed', closed her book with a slam and stood. Harry stood along with her. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said softly. "But he has had a rough time tonight."

She sighed and nudged Draco's ankle with her toe. "I'm sorry for being huffy," she apologised.

"You can't apologise for being a girl, Granger. There is no remedy for that, I'm afraid," Draco yawned again, standing up.

"You're evil," Harry whispered.

"'Tis my goal in life, Harry, dear," he said, mock bowing.

Harry scowled. "Don't call me dear."

"I'm going to bed, dear. Why don't you show Miss Granger to the door, and join me?"

Harry gently took Hermione by the elbow and led her to the door. "I'm sorry for his superb ability at being a prat. It's a part of his nature."

"You didn't have to tell me that, Harry," she smiled softly. "Goodnight."

"Do you want me to walk you back?" Harry asked, brows furrowed in worry.

"I'll be fine, thanks."

"Okay." Harry kissed her cheek. "Goodnight. Thanks for helping us."

"It's no problem. I've enjoyed myself so far. I'll see you at breakfast."

When Harry arrived in bed, it was to find that Draco was already snoring softly. Harry knew that if he did not fall asleep soon, Draco's snoring would become unbearable. Draco did not snore too loud, but it was still loud and annoying enough to keep Harry awake at times. The Gryffindor pulled off his shirt, climbed into bed, pulling the blond into his arms, and had he more time to dwell on it, would have been surprised at the ease in which he fell asleep.

***

Another week passed, in which Draco agreed to see the therapist two times a week, and Harry was being pestered more than ever by Hermione and Ginny about the wedding. They had come to a decision that they would have flowers falling on them if Draco agreed. Harry thought the idea would be better if a girl was getting married, but decided to go with it since the girls looked ready to hurt somebody. Other than that, they had decided on which brand of wine to serve, food, and had a comprehensive list on which musical groups would serve best at the reception.

The Tuesday after Draco's third appointment with Healer Adina, Hermione and Ginny were hounding Harry once more with centrepieces for the tables. Harry was currently sitting on the top stair of the marble staircase, one girl on each side. If he had known that a wedding involved this much when Draco proposed, he thought miserably, he would have said no. As Harry's thoughts dwelled on turning Draco down, the blond appeared in the Entrance hall below, dressed down to summer robes. It had been surprisingly warm all spring, so all the students had been taking advantage and wearing their favourite summer robes and Muggle clothes during free time.

A small smile crossed Harry's face as Draco spotted him and waved. Harry stood to go meet him, but Hermione pulled him back down. "Harry, you need to give us your opinion on this!"

"I'm not interested right now."

"You're never interested!" Ginny exclaimed.

"I am too. You just get me at the wrong times. Besides, I think we have done quite a bit in the past week. Those were hard decisions."

"Well, you still haven't decided which band to have."

"I need Draco's opinion!"

"You need my opinion for what?" Draco asked as he ascended the stairs.

"Musical groups," Ginny informed him.

"Easy. Clinton's Wily Wizards."

"I've never heard of them," Ginny said.

"They're a new underground group that I was just introduced to. Apparently, they're all gay and have illicit affairs with each other." Draco grinned at the girl's perplexed faces.

"That's all well and good, Draco," Hermione began, "but are they any good?"

"They're all right. But what's the point? They wouldn't mind singing at a gay wedding because they're gay." Draco had reached forward and was playing idly with Harry's messy locks as he spoke. Harry closed his eyes.

"Hey," Draco said suddenly, his breath brushing across Harry's face. The Gryffindor jumped back a few inches and opened his eyes. Draco was right in front of him. "I fancy a snog. Want to go?"

Harry laughed, turning red and nodded. "That's my boy," Draco purred, offering Harry a hand up.

"Wait a minute! You can't just go because you 'fancy a snog!'" Hermione exclaimed indignantly.

"On the contrary," Draco replied, and with Harry's hand in his, turned around to go down the stairs. They did not even make it to the bottom however, when both girls cut their progress off.

"I don't think so," Ginny insisted, hands on hips.

Draco mocked her stance with an added pout to his lips. "I think so."

Harry leaned in toward the blond and whispered, "I think the only way we get out of this one is to run."

"Yes, you're probably right."

Without a moment's hesitation, the boys darted around each side of the barrier, and ran out of the castle into the hot, early summer air. The girls were following on their heels, wedding book forgotten on the steps. Harry motioned for Draco to follow him and then headed for the Forbidden Forest. They only went in a few feet, wound through trees directly at the edge, coming out by the border of the lake a good way away from the castle. Harry could hear Hermione speaking indignantly to Ginny.

"I can't believe they went into the Forbidden Forest just to get away from us. Honestly, we aren't that bad."

Draco snickered. "Oh, but they are." Harry smiled and watched as Hermione and Ginny's forms became larger as they walked the edge of the forest.

"Come on. They'll find us if we stay here."

The two boys crept from the forest and walked stealthily back towards the castle on the shore of the lake. "Ah ha!" they heard one of the Gryffindor girls cry in triumph as they were spotted. Draco let out a sort of excited giggle and pulled Harry into a run. They ran through the area where a group of Hufflepuffs were situated on the lakeshore, soaking up the summer sun, digesting their newly eaten dinners.

"Over here," Draco whispered breathlessly. "I used to come here in fifth year."

Draco led them into a partially secluded spot some twenty feet from where the Hufflepuffs were. Harry cast a concealment charm around the small area and dropped onto the ground. Draco let his cloak fall from his shoulders to the ground in one swift movement. "Damn. It's so hot out here!" he exclaimed as he caught his breath. "Before you know it, I'll start doing something unbecoming like sweat or something."

"You sweat when you play Quidditch, and you already are sweating," Harry pointed out smoothly as he stared out at the giant squid, who was languidly propelling himself across the surface of the water.

"That's different. I'm actually exerting myself, unlike now. We're just sitting here."

"Do you have short term memory? We were the birds in the wild goose chase just now."

"Shut up, Potter."

"Well, I'm just pointing out that it wouldn't be unbecoming because you did just exert yourself."

"But it is unbecoming because I had no good reason to run out here." Draco's look was smug and stubborn at the same time.

"I'd say we did," Harry replied darkly.

Draco snorted and leaned back into the grass, supported by his elbows. "Granger and Weaslette are not a reason to get scared and run out here, Harry."

"You thought so differently five minutes ago. Stop acting all macho now that we've rid of them. Besides, you haven't been around them lately! They're horrible! They won't leave me alone."

Draco smirked and poked Harry in the side. "Well, you are the bride."

"I am not the bride!" Harry huffed indignantly, poking Draco's side. "And it wouldn't seem like I was so much if you helped me out with planning our wedding once in a while!"

"I help."

"Drawing a very ugly, and not to mention very inappropriate dress for me to wear is not what I call helping. Besides, I don't wear dresses." Draco had come to Harry a few days after he had declared that he would design their robes, with a drawing of a very frilly, short dress for Harry to wear at their wedding. For five horrifying minutes, Harry had believed that Draco was serious.

"You will at our wedding."

"Draco!" Harry whined. "Shut up! I will not be in a dress as long as I am planning this."

"Then I'll take over."

"Oh, no you don't."

"Okay. Have it your way."

"I will! You will have no part in planning!"

"Fine by me," Draco replied calmly.

Draco then laid down into the grass and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth from the setting, orange sun. Harry looked forward blinking in confusion. He turned to look at Draco and found that he had a smug grin on his face as he looked at the inside of his eyelids.

"You prat!" Harry exclaimed. "You're such an evil... cunning.... piece of Slytherin slime!"

"Well, I didn't make you say that I didn't have to help with the wedding. You said it willingly."

"Because you said you were going to put me in a dress if you planned it!"

"There were plenty of things you could have said before you said I didn't have to help at all. Have fun with Granger and Weaslette."

Harry turned back towards the lake and sulked. After a few minutes, Draco laughed, sat up and gave Harry's cheek a chaste kiss. "Fancy a swim?" he asked even as he stood up, pulling his shirt over his head.

"I don't have anything to swim in," Harry replied, still sulking.

"So? Take your clothes off then," Draco suggested easily.

"Skinny dip?" Harry looked to where the Hufflepuffs had been and found to his horror that they were gone. "I don't think so. That would be mortifying if anybody saw us."

"Why? Everybody knows we're getting married. They obviously suspect that we've done a little more than kissing. Strip! .... Do we really have to go through this again?"

"Yes, because I'm not skinny dipping!"

Draco sighed as he pulled down his trousers, which his boxers quickly followed. Harry bit his lip as he ran his eyes over Draco's pale body. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure that nobody was around. "I'm not coming."

"Fine," Draco said loftily, turned and began to walk away with a little more swing to his hips than normal.

Harry felt his mouth go dry as he watched Draco's pale, round butt walk away. Before he could think twice, Harry was standing on his feet, stripping his clothes off and running in after Draco. Draco had already gone under the cool water as Harry dove in after him. When they came face to face, Draco had a devilish smirk on his face.

"I knew you couldn't resist me. You left your glasses on though."

Harry shrugged. "I can see this way."

"Okay. I'm going to go have some fun. Coming?"

"Depends on how you define 'fun'."

"Just come out to the middle of the lake with me and you'll find out."

Draco began swimming to the middle of the lake, and nearer to the giant squid. Harry swallowed his nervousness and went after his fiancé. He found that he actually quite enjoyed swimming in the water without anything on. The water moved freely around every part of his body, making him feel completely free from everything. The dark-haired boy flipped onto his back and swam languidly through the water, staring up at the red and orange sky with a benign smile on his face. Not until he collided with Draco's back, did Harry stop and turn around. Harry's eyes widened in disbelief when he saw just what the blond was doing.

The squid was right in front of them, its tentacles coming out of the water, and Draco was petting one of them. "Draco... are you mad? That thing is probably dangerous!"

"Says who? I hear he quite likes the students and has saved a few first years from drowning on the trip to Hogwarts every year."

Harry was about to say that the squid had not done so, but then remembered that the squid had saved Dennis Creevey in his first year, so could not say anything against it. "But still," Harry hissed. "Don't aggravate it."

"What do you think would aggravate it?" Draco asked lazily as he continued to stroke the top of the tentacles.

"I don't know, but I'm not ready to find out."

Draco smirked evilly at Harry over his shoulder. Harry thought that the Slytherin may have something up his sleeve, but Draco only continued to pet the squid. "How do you think he would like to be tickled?" Draco asked, and from the flailing of the squid's tentacle, Draco had begun to tickle it. Harry moved back a bit in alarm.

"Stop it!" he whispered fiercely. "He could get pissed off at you."

Draco began to tickle another tentacle. The whole squid began to protest, and quite suddenly, Harry felt a tentacle wrap around his ankle. He let out a startled yelp before he was pulled underneath the water, sucking in lake water when he tried to yell. Thankfully, however, the squid did not pull him very hard, so Harry was able to resurface quickly by kicking his one leg and arms. The Gryffindor coughed and spluttered while glaring angrily at Draco, who had not noticed him going under.

Draco turned to look at him, amused. "Need swimming lessons, Harry?"

"No!" Harry all but yelled angrily. "The squid has my ankle you idiot! Stop tickling him!"

"Stop playing games. You just want me to stop."

Harry tried looking through the water. The tentacle wrapped around his ankle was moving between his legs. "This is uncomfortable. Draco, I'm not playing games wi--" Draco must have touched a sensitive spot on the squid because suddenly, the whole creature jerked, and the tentacle between his legs knocked him in the groin. Harry let out an agonized yell. He stopped moving his body altogether, placing his hands over his crotch. He sunk into the water and did not even bother trying to get back to the surface. Whimpers were coming unconsciously from his mouth, making bubbles rise to the surface. He curled his body up in the water, holding himself as much as the squid would let him and let out a long gurgled moan of pain. It was then that he felt Draco pulling him back up to the surface.

"Harry... what..."

Harry moaned again as he coughed up water, and leaned into Draco's body. He moaned pitifully.

"Harry..."

The squid yanked hard on Harry's ankle again, and nearly pulled Draco down as well. However, Draco's grip slipped and Harry was pulled underneath the water again. This time, he felt a small wave of water move over him as Draco moved in the water, and felt fingers grasp at the tentacles surrounding Harry's ankle. It took a while, in which Harry started to lose his breath, but Draco finally managed to get Harry free of the squid, and pull Harry away from it with all his might. They resurfaced some fifteen feet from the squid that was still flailing, but thankfully was not coming after them.

"Merlin... Harry, I'm so sorry. I didn't know it would do that."

Harry let out a sob of pain, realising that touching it even the slightest bit was causing a great deal of pain. When he tried to swim back to shore, found he could hardly move.

"I thought he only had your ankle?" Draco wondered as he began swimming both of them to shore.

"He whacked my bits!" Harry yelled out. He panted in both exertion and pain. "I'm going to be sterile," he whimpered. Draco let out a small snort of laughter. "Don't be daft. You'll be fine."

It took them twice as long to get to the shore as it would have if they were both uninjured. Harry crawled slowly into the grass and collapsed onto his back, panting heavily. Draco let out a pained sound of sympathy as he stood up, gathering their clothes. "I'm glad it wasn't me," he grinned.

"Thanks," Harry grunted as he squinted his eyes shut. He heard Draco drop down onto his knees beside him. "I don't want to move. It hurts."

"That goes without saying. I'll dry us off and put your clothes on."

Draco was smiling as he worked, trying not to look Harry in the eye. Harry, however, could see his expression and was annoyed. "Stop looking like that. Would you like me to kick you?"

"That's okay," Draco winked. "I'm sure you've got enough pain for the both of us."

Harry dropped his head back on the ground with a whimper. Draco then sobered, and before he buttoned Harry's trousers, he whispered an incantation that cooled the area and Harry felt a little better. "Thanks," Harry said quietly.

Draco smiled at him. "Let's get you to Madam Pomfrey. I'm sure she can help you in a heartbeat." He zipped Harry up and they started for the castle. Madam Pomfrey was brisk when they arrived; one application of salve, and two potions later, Harry was feeling almost back to normal. She had him stay for a couple hours until dinner, and he and Draco finally left.

"What would you think if I did somehow become sterile, Draco?" Harry asked as they sat down to do homework in their classroom later that night. "Would you even care?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Draco raised a brow without looking up from his Arithmancy book.

"I don't know. Do you want kids?"

"Why do you ask?" Draco looked up, calm annoyance on his face.

Harry shrugged. "I'm curious. We are getting married, aren't we? I haven't seriously thought about children, but someday. Maybe. They'd be nice."

Draco put his quill down. "Right now, I'm concentrating on school and the threat of Voldemort. After school, I will start concentrating on getting married. If we're lucky, Voldemort will be gone as well, but we can never be too lucky. Then, if Fate permits, I'll start thinking about the other thing."

Sighing, Harry sat back in his chair. "And you don't think I'm not concentrating on that? Voldemort is on my mind every minute of every day, except when I'm busy getting kicked by the giant squid. N.E.W.T.s are coming very soon, and I'm studying hard for those. I want to become an Auror and the stress of it is making me want to pull out my hair. Plus, the planning of the wedding isn't exactly easy. But I was just looking for a straight-forward answer, Draco. For a moment, forget all those worries. If we were a several years older and everything was fine and dandy, would you want kids? If I were sterile, what you do?"

"Okay, Harry. I do want children, maybe two, and one of them had better be a girl. I'd much rather the girl be the eldest. And if you were sterile, I'd leave you, of course." Draco smirked at Harry and looked back to his book.

"Be serious."

"I am being serious."

"No, you're not," Harry insisted.

With a sigh, Draco looked up again. "Harry, I love you. And I need an heir. So don't ever become sterile, because I certainly don't want to have children without you. I don't know why you're asking because this isn't an issue for us right now. As far as we know, we're both healthy enough."

The conversation stilled for a few minutes as Harry was content with the answer. After all, he was not looking to have kids immediately. They were still young.

"I know how you can reduce your stress a little," Draco said suddenly.

"How would that be?"

"You could decide to do something else for a career. Getting into the Auror program is difficult, you know. There are a lot of people who won't make it."

"I'm not going to change my mind, Draco."

"I know that, but I think you should. Be realistic, Harry."

"I am."

"I don't think so. How well did you do, honestly, on your O.W.L.s? How well do you think you'll do on the N.E.W.T.s? They're difficult tests."

Harry gritted his teeth. "So what you're saying, Draco is that I'm not smart enough to be admitted into the program."

"I never said you were stupid."

"Neither did I."

"Well, there you are then. Neither of us thinks you're stupid."

"But you do think I'm not smart enough to be admitted."

"If you study hard enough and make a good effort, I think you'll do fine on the tests." Draco bit his lip as he looked at Harry. He hesitated. "I'm just not so sure you have what it takes to be an Auror."

Harry stared for a few seconds before letting out a short laugh, though it contained little humour. "You can't be serious."

Draco looked openly regretful as he nodded his head.

There were many words for the emotions rushing through his body, Harry was sure. Incredulity was one of them, he thought. Betrayal. Absolute sadness. He shook his head. "How could you say something like that to me?"

The two young men sat in silence, both unsure of what to say. Finally, after many painful minutes, Harry closed his books and stood to leave. "This is all I want to do, Draco. You've known for a while now, and you still can't wrap your mind around it. I used to know that you could be spiteful, back when we weren't even friends, but I suppose that sex and the word love can make somebody forget what shouldn't be forgotten."

"Harry...." Draco said quietly as the Gryffindor stood.

Harry walked to the door and turned around. "I wonder what you'll do when I become an Auror. Do you think I should stick around long enough to find out?"

Outside of the classroom, Harry stopped and took a deep breath, attempting to push down the betrayal welling within him. He waited a moment before starting back to the Gryffindor Common Room where he knew there were people who supported him.