Morning

He was soaring through the air. A huge black dog bounded towards his as he gracefully landed. The dog knocked him off his feet, giving him sloppy kisses. The black matted fur and the boy's unruly raven locks were indistinguishable as the two rejoiced.

"Snuffles..." he whispered. The dog opened its mouth to reply.

"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*

Harry awoke from his dream with a start. Sirius would bark, not beep... It took him a minute to realize it was his watch beeping. He'd set it early to see the sunrise.

He slipped from under the warm security that was his covers. His bare feet plodded across the cold marble floor until he reached the bathroom. He silently thanked the person who placed a warming charm on the cold tiles. A quick shower and ten minutes later found an annoyed Harry attempting to flatten his disheveled hair.

In an attempt to cheer him up, his mirror calmly stated, "That's like trying to tame an Acromantuala dear. It'll never happen." Harry laughed, much to the mirror's distaste. "You, dear mirror," he retorted in a sweet voice, "need to get your facts straight." He left in fits of stifled laughter.

Not too soon after, Harry pushed the heavy oak doors open. He stepped onto the wide steps; a soft breeze rustling his semi-wet hair. With a deep breath, he walked to the lake. The crisp morning air made him feel rejuvenated. He didn't have to think of anything, just concentrate on walking.

As he silently strode around the lake, he looked out at the placid waters; allowing his thoughts to drift back to the dream.

"Sirius..."

He couldn't believe he was gone. He wasn't sure how he made it through the summer. Actually, he did. It brought a small scowl to his face. Harry checked his watch and saw he still has a bit until sunrise. With that in mind, he let the dam break that had been holding back memories of summer.

He saw the advanced guard that came to collect him to Grimauld Place; he watched the row between Ron and Hermione; he saw the knife poised above his wrist, glimmering in the small patch of sunlight. He watched, no, felt, still in awe of the memory, as a slim blond-haired figure wrapped their arms around Harry's neck, causing him to drop the knife in surprise. He gasped as soft kisses were planted on his forehead. He dimly remembered his thoughts, the few he had from that night, That's what I get for sitting with my back to the bloody door.

Harry laughed at the though. The savior of the wizarding world had his own savior; his arch rival. Who would've thought?

Not me, that's for sure...

The boy lowered himself onto a log near the lakes edge. He looked across the still water. Even the squid isn't awake yet, he thought. A small glow on the horizon made him smile, even though his scar twinged for a moment. His scar had hurt last night as Voldemort committed another murder. It made him angry to think the sun would rise every day of eternity no matter what happened on Earth. No matter how many innocent lives were lost to Voldemort. No matter how many families were torn apart...no matter how many children were left orphaned...

He was shaken out of his thoughts as the first rays of sun peeked over the forest. The sun rose as a large red orb, glowing above the treetops and making the lake shimmer.

"Beautiful..." he managed to choke out.

"Beautiful indeed."

Strong, yet gentle arms came to rest around Harry's neck. The blond locks that came into view accompanied by a kiss let him know who it was. The kiss alone could have stopped the world. Yet Harry was puzzled.

"How did you know..." he started to ask.

Draco cut him off with another kiss, then flashed a smile he reserved only for Harry.

"Really, Harry...do you think I don't listen? Mr. Oh-watching-the-sunrise-would-be-so-lovely-Potter. I put two and two together and found you here." He smirked at his own cunning.

Harry grinned, pushing the blond hair from Draco's eyes. Draco had let it grow semi-long, and it always fell in his eyes. Harry liked those eyes all too much to have them covered. Plus it gave him a reason to play with Draco's hair, something he simply loved to do.

Draco's arms cradled Harry, pulling him closer for warmth. Both hadn't realized how brisk the air was. They waited in silence. It was a comfortable silence, one where words weren't needed.

As the sun reached its peak, Harry jumped up. Since his and Draco's hands had been intertwined, Draco was pulled up as well.

"What is it, love?" he asked gently.

Harry couldn't string two words together. His thoughts were racing.

"Sirius...in the clouds...Draco, I saw Sirius in the sunrise!"

Draco kissed the tears off his boyfriend's face. "Harry! Ew! That's salty!"

Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Now there's the smile I love!" Draco exclaimed. "It makes your eyes sparkle. Harry, Sirius would've wanted you to be happy. Look at how his death brought us together." He cupped Harry's chin in his hands. "Harry, look at me. When I saw you with that knife, I was scared. For the first time in my life I was scared. Someone I loved was in danger, even if he didn't know I loved him. And I never want that to happen again. I love you, Harry Potter."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Those final words, those three little words, stayed with Harry all day long. They echoed through his head during breakfast; they danced through his thoughts in Herbology; they showed up during lunch in his alphabet soup; they made him keep his temper during double potions.

Harry followed the class out of the classroom and to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry sat in his seat, his mind reeling. Draco has never said that to me...and I didn't even answer. I am such a prat. His attention was caught by Draco leaving the Slytherin table. Harry muttered something about stomach pain and got up as well. Hermione and Ron sent a look of confusion after him. He hurried to the entrance hall.

"Draco!"

"What Potter?" he was dragging his feet with every step. Harry winced. Funny how the name Voldemort won't make me flinch, but my own last name will.

"Draco. About what you said earlier at the lake...Draco--- he paused, shifted feet, then continued, chocking on his own words. "Draco, I love you too."

Draco couldn't keep up his normal mask. He began to grin. He'd thought Harry had someone else, had wanted to break it off. He was ecstatic and he couldn't keep it from showing on his face.

Draco walked briskly to the spot where Harry seemed rooted. He swept Harry up in a romantic kiss. He felt his knees go weak when Harry returned it.

Draco and Harry broke the kiss to the sound of applause. Draco caught on quicker than his boyfriend, beaming at Harry's crimson face. He loved how his ears got red, then it expanded to his cheeks. Draco had to admit it was cute.

"It's about time!" Hermione laughed, alongside a silver haired professor, blue eyes twinkling.

"I wasn't sure if you would ever admit your love. But what better way to do it, in front of oh, 98 or so witnesses?" Dumbledore winked.

"Its official then," Draco said to his still flushed boyfriend.

Harry was in heaven. The two shared another kiss before the crowded entrance hall.

"I love you Draco Malfoy."

"I love you too Harry Potter."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

From that day on, if anyone were to look out the window before a sunrise, they would see two figures, hands intertwined, simply strolling and enjoying the morning. They occasionally shared a kiss. And up in the clouds, right as the sunrise was at its most, Sirius Black would look down, smiling upon the two. Sometimes he'd show himself and Harry would notice, sending smiles up. Draco would reach over and carefully wipe the tears away from his lover's face. And if anyone ever asked their favorite time of day...

"Morning."