The Way The Candles Light Your Face

The Way the Candles Light Your Face

It's been a while

Since I could hold my head up high

It's been a while

Since I last saw you

Why must I feel this way

Just make this go away

Just one more peaceful day...

The room was cold, the fire having burnt out hours before. Draco pressed his forehead against the cold glass of the window, staring out at the dark storm clouds that obscured the sky from vision. Earlier the sky had been awash in violent shades of red and gold. But then the rain had come, pouring down from the sky with reckless abandon as if the heavens themselves knew of his pain and anguish, and the very sky cried tears of sympathy for him.

Draco tried to push down the lump that had formed in his throat ever since he'd heard the news that Harry Potter would be returning to Hogwarts for a lecture. Why had Draco come back here? Harry's presence had drawn him back here, like a moth to a flame, back to the place that had meant so much, and held so many bittersweet memories. This little town, on the outskirts of the forbidden forest, where he and Harry had spent so many nights. Sneaking out of school, trusting only in the capable lies of Hermione Granger to keep their secret.

This inn, this room, the one they'd always picked. Urgent kisses. So long since the last time they'd been alone together. Skin on skin. Frantically tearing at one another's clothes.

Lying peacefully in one another's arms, light kisses. So far away from the dark and dangerous world that lurked just outside the door. Wishing he could remain there, forever wrapped in those strong yet gentle arms.

"Draco--"

"Mmm..."

"I love you."

"Are you sure?

"I think so."

"You think or you know?"

"I know."

"How do you know?"

"I just do."

Draco tried not to remember. He closed his eyes, as if to shut out the images that played within his mind. Harry's smile, so sweet, because he knew it was simply his presence that brought it about.

Room service. Sweet strawberries dipped in warm chocolate sauce. Kisses. Sweet lips taste of a hint of strawberries and chocolate. Whipped cream.

No, he definitely did not want to think about the whipped cream.

Sitting by the warm flames of the fire. Serenity broken by a skilled hand which reached over to tickle Draco's ribs.

It's been a while

Since I've seen the way

The candles light your face

It's been a while

But I can still remember

Just the way you taste

Serenity. Draco now laughed at the notion. That had been back when he was young and naïve. Naïve enough to believe that things and people could change...that he could change. Serenity. Something he hadn't experienced since that night years ago.

"You are still my enemy."

The words rang painfully in his ears. Why had he chosen the one person he would never be good enough for over the only person who had truly cared for him? He would never be the son his father wanted, because, he had realized, he didn't like the man his father wanted him to be. The realization had come a few years too late. He had chosen his father over love. And now, his heart was wracked with the pain of that knowledge. A self inflicted pain; agony to think on how things should have been, on how things could have been, if only your choices had been different.

He rubbed the palm of his hand that had struck the other boy. Their last contact. He knew it had hurt; pain had stung his palm for several minutes afterwards.

Draco rose in frustration, unable to take it anymore. He had to get away from this little room. He cherished every inch of this room, for it was the only place he had ever known true peace, but now the room only haunted him. He had to get away. He grabbed his coat, tossed some coins onto the dresser and headed to the little lobby. The lobby was dark, it was late, and the silence pervaded the room.

"Harry, wait!"

"What? We have to get back to school before someone notices we're missing."

"I just wanted to tell you that--that I love you, too."

Draco's throat ached, and the tears welled within his eyes once again. He had to get out of this place...Draco threw open the door and stepped back in surprise.

"Harry?"