Golden Thread Of Trust

Golden Thread Of Trust

Chapter 15: Leading The Way

Displayed in all the things I see
There’s a love you show to me
Portrayed in all the things you say
You’re the day
Leading the way

Yes - "Onward"

Draco went searching for Harry, although he was quite certain of where he could find him. As he walked through the vast corridors of the school, keeping an eye out for Harry just in case, he could feel a knot of fear beginning to form in his stomach. What was wrong with Harry? Was everything going to sort itself out? He didn't even dare to think about the consequences if it didn’t.
His suspicions regarding Harry's whereabouts were confirmed when he entered their small room in the Astronomy Tower and found Harry curled up on the windowsill.
"Harry?"
"Go away."
"No."
Harry glared at him, but something was missing in that glare, as if he was hiding some other emotion under the pretence of anger.
"Fine then, stay."
He gazed out of the window again.
Draco thought about the things he treasured about Harry. The way his eyes wouldn't open in the morning. The unbelievably soft hairs on his stomach. The way he would still grin his head off every time he caught the Snitch. The way he pushed his hair out of his eyes. The way he kissed good night. The look in his eyes when he said 'I love you'.
Draco felt tears beginning to form in his eyes.
"You're breaking up with me, aren't you?" he said accusingly.
Harry didn't answer, he just kept staring out of the window, motionless. Finally, he stirred.
"Draco, why are we together?"
"Why? Because we love each other! Or rather," he finished off quietly, "I, at least, love you."
Harry shifted, and looked at him sadly.
"You know, the snake…?"
Draco nodded, his entire body tense with nervous anticipation.
"It told me that you didn't love me, that you were only using me."
"And you believed it?" Draco exclaimed incredulously.
"What was I supposed to believe?" said Harry defensively. "It was inside your mind."
"Well, what do you expect when you walk into the Chamber of Deepest Fears!"
Harry looked at him sharply.
"The Chamber of Deepest Fears?" he repeated.
Draco looked down at his hands.
"Well, my… my deepest fear was that someone would take you away from me."
He sunk dejectedly to the floor.
"So…" Harry whispered, processing the information. "You do love me."
Draco gave him no answer, but Harry didn't need one. He slipped down from his seat on the windowsill, walked over to where Draco was sitting and wrapped his arm around him.
"I'm so sorry, love."
Draco began to shake, and Harry stroked his hair, trying to soothe him.
"If you leave me Harry, I don't know what I'll do. I don't think I could live without you," he said in a strangled voice.
Harry was shocked by his reaction. Had he really been this afraid of losing him?
"Shh, it's all right love, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
He kissed Draco's cheek, and continued to hold him and stroke his hair until his shaking subsided. Eventually, Draco looked up at Harry and gave him a weak smile.
"Harry, you bastard. You nearly scared the shit out of me!"
"I'm sorry," said Harry earnestly, and kissed him tenderly.
Draco kissed back as if his life depended on it, and when he thought about it, maybe it did. Yes, quite possibly it did.

* * *
"Harry? Did you ever get that photo back from the little Creevey creep?"
Harry smiled brightly.
"Yeah, I did, and a lucky thing too. Wouldn't want anyone to see it…" he trailed off suggestively.
"Why?" Draco asked, amused. "We were only kissing, after all."
"Really? Well, our picture-selves got some more interesting ideas. Last time I looked we were getting undressed."
"Heh, really? I'd like to see that."
Harry unlocked a drawer in his bedside table, rummaged around in it for a while, and eventually found what he'd been looking for. His eyes widened considerably.
"Merlin! Look at this, Draco!"
"What?"
Draco scooted closer to have a look.
"Interesting…" he murmured.
"I had no idea that that was possible!" said Harry, astonished, glancing at Draco.
"Want to try it?" asked Draco mischievously, and nibbled at Harry's earlobe.
"Well, it certainly looks like we're having fun, so why not…"

The picture fluttered unnoticed to the floor, as the two young lovers became engaged in more important matters.

Acta est fabula, plaudite!

[The play is over, applaud!]