Not Just an Empty Emotion

Chapter 14-Return

For the rest of the holidays Harry and Malfoy enjoyed each other's company, their words, their humour -and their kisses. It was sheer bliss for both. Now they were comfortable with each other the friendship that had developed between them blossomed. Though Malfoy could never be Harry's best friend-for he would never leave Ron, the experiences they had shared and the connection between them was too strong- he felt closer to Malfoy than anyone before him.

They did not speak of their Christmas day experience, for they did not need to. Each time they looked at the other the memories tore through their minds, sweet reminders of what had happened. They did not, however, repeat the experience.

At breakfast on the last day of the holidays the two were to be found in the Gryffindor common room by the fire, talking, teasing each other, and (though not a particularly cheerful subject) wondering where Voldemort and his followers were, and what they were up to. They skipped lunch, preferring instead to conjure up their own feasts. At around two o'clock when all of the food had been eaten, and both boys were feeling extremely full, Harry turned to Malfoy.

"You'd better go soon," he said dolefully.

"Why? What's the rush? Want rid of me do you?"
"Not at all. Anything but, as I'm sure you know..."

Malfoy smirked, and Harry grinned back.

"It's just," he continued, "the Hogwarts Express will be getting back soon, and people will be coming back...you know, Gryffindors might want to come into their common room."

"Ah, I see where you're coming from. But...if I didn't know better I'd say you were ashamed of me," teased Malfoy.

Harry's look of indignant horror and cry of, "It's for our own safet-" were enough to make Malfoy dissolve into a fit of giggles. Harry tried a frown, but couldn't manage it; the smile on Malfoy's face was too arousing to try to feign annoyance.

"Git," he said coolly.

"That's me!" sang Malfoy. "Well, if you really don't want me, I'll be off."

Harry said nothing as Malfoy moved towards the portrait hole. Then-

"Wait!" he called as Malfoy stretched out a hand to push the portrait forward. "Wait a second, I won't be long."
Malfoy frowned in confusion, but stayed where he was as Harry disappeared up the stairs back into his dormitory. He re-appeared a minute later, with something clutched in his hand.

"There, take this," he said, trying to push a small, tightly folded piece of parchment into Malfoy's hands.

"What is it?"

"It's...something. You'll find out when you get to your common room, don't read it until you get there, then destroy it."

"Why?"
"You'll see."

"Oh..." he sounded confused. "Well, by then," he said, reaching out to grip Harry's shoulder.

As they touched they each elt a ripple along their skin, and their eyes locked together, refusing to leave each other. They stared at each other for a moment before Malfoy stepped towards Harry suddenly, and embraced him in a passionate kiss. Harry responded, wrapping his arms around Malfoy's waist and opening his mouth. They stepped even closer, and Harry's hands began to move lower down Malfoy's torso.

Malfoy pulled his mouth away from Harry's reluctantly.

"No," he whispered. Harry could feel his breath. "We mustn't."

"What?" Harry whispered, pleadingly. "Why?"

"The...the train..." Malfoy gulped.

Harry sighed, "OK. OK."

Malofy kissed his lips gently once more, before unwrapping their arms and moving towards the exit. Before he left he stopped, turned, and flashed the parchment Harry had given him to show he hadn't forgotten.

As the portrait closed, Harry sank into a chair; glad his friends were returning, but sad that his lover was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The common room was full and noisy once more. Ron and Hermione were chatting happily about their holidays, and laughing with Harry. One part of Harry wanted to do the same about his holidays, to tell of the joy he had found in Malfoy, and how their friendship had grown. But the other half knew he must keep it a secret for more than one reason. And besides, he enjoyed the secrecy.

"So," said Hermione, "what did you do over Christmas? Was it hell?"

"Yeah, was it awful? Or did you punch Malfoy as a bit of light-entertainment?" asked Ron.

Harry forced a laugh. "Oh...it was okay. Not too great, not too bad..." he lied.

"Harry, are you alright?" asked Hermione quietly. "You've been really quiet."

"Huh? Oh... um...yeah, yeah I'm fine."

"Are you sure, mate? You seem a bit.... weird."

"Thanks, Ron. So kind of you."

Ron laughed, and they left the subject alone to talk about lessons the next day.
But Harry didn't listen, because Ginny, sitting over in the corner had just caught his eye. He grinned at her, his look telling her that he had something to tell her, and she grinned back, but was unable to disguise the misgivings she had.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco was sitting in a particularly uncomfortable chair in front of the fire in the Slytherin common room. He checked none of the bastards who were swelling around him like flies were paying attention to him before carefully and slowly unfolding the parchment Potter had given him.

A hastily scribbled note was presented to him, and it read:

Malfoy,

I need you to meet me tonight. In the Gryffindor common room. Come at midnight and wait outside, I will come outside to open the portrait hole for you and tell you what to do. Trust me.

Love,

Harry

He stared at the note, his heart thumping. What would Potter want to meet him about? And why so late- and in the Gryffindor common room, of all places. It would be difficult to do, risky with all the people around, but he'd do it. Anything to be with Potter again.

He looked at the signature with relish, unlike the rest of the note it was perfectly drawn, and it exuded sex.

He couldn't wait for midnight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry's stomach was doing somersaults as his nerves grew about his meeting with Malfoy. It would be risky and he knew it, but he didn't care. Nothing would stop him from seeing Malfoy, nothing...and besides, the fear made it that much more exciting.

He looked at his watch. It was 11.15. His stomach gave a particularly uncomfortable lurch- Ron, Hermione, and a good deal of Gryffindors were still in the common room, and if they didn't go to bed soon his plans would be ruined.

He forced a laugh at something Ron had said, and looked over to Ginny. He caught her eye once more, and signalled to a corner of the room which was in darkness. She nodded once to say she had understood.

"Er...I'll be back soon, I'm just going...to...going...to the toilet," he told Ron and Hermione. Standing up he looked over again at Ginny, she also stood up and they walked innocently into a corner.

They checked no one was looking and then turned to each other.

"What's up?" asked Ginny.

"Well, look around you...there's still loads of people. No one's going to bed. I won't be able to get Malfoy in here if there are this many people about. I can handle one or two, but not this many! Ginny, what the hell am I going to do?"

"Calm down! Anyone would think it was the end of the world-"

"It might be, if people find out that Malfoy's...me and Malfoy...you know..."

Ginny grinned. "Well," she said carefully, "I might know...only you didn't tell me anything before. What is the situation with you two?"

"Shh! Not so loud! People'll hear!"

"Alright, alright, calm down. Go on, tell me."

"I can't," said Harry, blushing.

"Why?" demanded Ginny. "Are you embarrassed?"

Yes, thought Harry. "No. Don't be stupid, of course not. It's just...I have to go back to Ron and Hermione, I have to be quick."

"They'll get over it."

He sighed, "Alright, I...I might tell you if you help me. Will you?"

"Sure. And you're in luck, Mr Potter, because I have a fantastic plan..."

Harry gulped. "Go on..." he said cautiously.
She leant forward and whispered something in his ear.

"Brilliant!" Harry whispered hoarsely.

"I know I am," Ginny said easily. "So we're sorted then? If there's more than a few people that's what we'll do?"

"Yeah. Great. Thanks Ginny." He turned to go.

"Er- no, no you don't. Aren't' you forgetting something?"

Harry gulped. "Uh...no, no, I don't think so..." he said, even though he knew damn well what she was talking about.

"Oh, come on, Harry, you're no good at lying to me. I know you too well. You have to tell me, go on."

"Fine! OK, well...on Christmas Day I found him...uh...."

"Naked?" She suggested. "With another man?"

"NO! Shut up and listen, you wanted to hear it!"

"I am very sorry. Do go on, dear," she teased.

He glared at her, "Anyway, I found him...a bit upset, and I brought him back here and we gave each other presents and that was it."

"What kind of presents?"

"Good ones."

"What kind?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does."

"You just don't give up, do you?" he asked, irritably. She grinned at him.

"Nope."

"Well...we gave normal gifts...the wrapped kind...and then we...uh.... unwrapped...oh shit...." He went furiously red, "we unwrapped...and.... fuck...um...we unwrapped each other." He fell silent, screwed up his eyes, and felt his face burning red. "Bollocks," he muttered.

"Wow..." said Ginny.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her face was a mix of emotions. She looked stunned, amazed and worried all at once.

"What?" asked Harry.

"Well.... wow. Are you sure?"

"Yes," he said. "I know what I'm doing. You have to trust us."

"Us? So you're definitely an 'us' now are you?"

"Yes. I...I think so. Yeah."

"I suppose only you can be sure of that, Harry."

"You just have to believe it, Ginny, it's true. Aren't you happy for me?"

"Of course I am, idiot! What was it like? Is he good?"
He laughed, "Good? He's fucking amazing!"

"So, was it only on Christmas Day?"

"Yeah, but it was almost more...I think I've officially got a boyfriend...my God, that sounds so weird..."

"It probably will. I'm really glad you've sorted it out, Harry. Well, congratulations, I suppose!"

"Thanks, Ginny," he said, before giving her a warm hug.

"That's okay. So, give me the signal if you need the plan, yeah? What exactly do you want to see him for tonight?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh come on, Ginny. Are you seriously telling me you don't know?"

"Wha- Ohhhh! Oh! I see!" she laughed and turned pink. "Be careful, though, Harry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He checked his watch for what must have been the hundredth time that night.

11.56.

Looking around him he saw four seventh years, a few fifth year girls, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. The common room was far too busy. He saw Ginny looking at him. She was eating a large purple and gold packet of chocolates. He grimaced at her, and then, reluctantly, he nodded.

Immediately she slipped something into the chocolate and turned back to her friend. Seconds later Harry saw the friend dive into the packet and put a little sphere of chocolate into her mouth. His heart began to beat faster as he waited, whilst trying to involve himself with Hermione and Ron's conversation.

11.58.

A loud squeal from the other end of the room caught his attention. Everyone turned to look. What met their eyes was a truly amazing (and slightly baffling) sight; they saw a giant hamster wheel on the wall with the same colour and pattern as the chocolate packet, and in it a giant hamster, with the same colour fur as the friend had hair. The wheel went round and round, squeaking slightly as the hamster ran faster.

A crowd had gathered by the wheel. "What is it?" asked Hermione, torn between horror and a kind of guilty amusement.

"Something Fred sent me..." replied Ginny. The crowd laughed. Harry saw her slip away, pick something up from a vacant chair, and slip towards the portrait hole.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco crept out of his dormitory and through the silent common room. He climbed stair after stair, almost struggling to remember his way to Potter's common room in the dark.

Eventually he found the corridor he needed. He ran along it noiselessly, and came to a halt outside the portrait entrance.

11.58.

He didn't have to wait long until the portrait swung open and a figure appeared.

"You! What the fuck? Why are you here?"

"Harry sent me," replied Ginny stonily. "And I can't exactly pretend I'm happy about this so let's get it over with. I know what's happened, OK, so we're going to have to at least be civil to each other-for Harry's sake."

"Fine. Fine by me. I will if you will."

"Shut up and put this on. No questions."

"Bitch..." muttered Draco.

"Be careful, Malfoy, very careful. When you've got it on just follow me into the room, and stand in the right hand corner nearest the portrait. Don't move. Wait until everyone's gone to bed, then Harry will come and get you, OK?"

"That's fine," he said stonily, though he could not suppress a smile at the though of Harry coming to get him.

"Good, now come on."

He threw the thing she had given him over his body and head, and stepped into the common room before her, settled himself into the corner and looked around just in time to see her close the portrait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thirty seconds later she was back and the portrait hole was closed.

12.01.

As suddenly as it had happened, the joke was reversed, and the girl reappeared, with a stunned expression on her face and her hair slightly ruffled. A packet of chocolates dropped onto the floor near her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He looked around the room for Potter, he didn't see him at first-his attention was taken by a giant hamster between the two staircases. But then...the boy walked into view, and Draco sat back to enjoy the view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At last the common room was quiet. All the Gryffindor's but Harry and Ginny had finally gone up to bed.

Ginny smiled at Harry. "Well, I'll leave you two alone then," she said. "I wouldn't want to keep you waiting."

Harry stuck his tongue out at her in response.

"Night, Harry," she laughed. "Good luck...." And then she added, somewhat coldly, "Night Malfoy."
Harry watched her climb up the stairs to her dormitory, and heard a door slam. His heart began its familiar thumping, whenever he knew he would see Malfoy.

"You can take the cloak off now, Malfoy."

"Thank fuck," said a disgruntled voice from the corner, and seconds later Malfoy's head appeared, followed by the rest of him. His hair was messy from the cloak being on his head, and he had undone his top few buttons on his cloak. Harry blinked in amazement. "It's too damn hot in that thing...what is it?"

"Invisibility Cloak," Harry said simply.

Malfoy stood up, dropped the cloak and walked towards Harry. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Malfoy got there first.

"Shut up," he ordered, before pulling Harry closer to him and locking their lips in a passionate embrace.

Harry sighed as their lips parted. "You don't know how much I like it when you do that..."

"Oh, I do," replied Malfoy, "because I like it just as much." He kissed Harry's lips softly. "Now, what did you want to see me about? And why so late?"

"Well, I wanted to see you because I couldn't bear not seeing you...tomorrow the rest of the school will be everywhere...we're not going to be able to get a moment to ourselves. And I wanted to see you this late because...well...look what I found."

He took Malfoy's hand in his own, squeezed it gently and led him up the boys' staircase once more.

"Uh...Harry, much as I like being in a bed with you, and much as the fear of getting caught is a big turn on, don't you think it'll be a bit too obvious if we go in your dormitory again with all the other guys in there?"

"Shhh."

They reached the door saying "sixth years", but Harry did not go in there. Instead he walked straight past it and continued on up the staircase. Malfoy frowned slightly at this, for a start he hadn't noticed this bit before, but he said nothing; he was too curious. They continued up the staircase, higher and higher, the steps getting narrower and narrower. Finally they reached a door. It was a very large door, with an intricate golden pattern on it. There was no handle, only a gold plaque with the words:

When the slivers of silver come through the darkened windows,

Light me up!

Enter but keep my secrets safe

"And what's that supposed to mean?" asked Malfoy sceptically, after reading it aloud.

"I'll tell you, if you'll shut up," whispered Harry. "It's tells you about the room behind the door. You see those windows up there?" he pointed upwards. High in the slightly sloping ceiling above them were three narrow windows. "When the moon is full all three windows let light shine through, and that's the only way to see the door, and read the words."

"That sounds like a load of crap," said Malfoy. "How did you know the staircase was there? I didn't see it last time we came here."

"I know. I found it in my second year, but I didn't find the room until after Voldemort...after the third Triwizard task," Harry corrected himself. "I'm not sure how I found the thing though, as far as I know I'm the only one who knows about it. Like the door says, you're not allowed to talk about it away from the room. I don't know why."

"But how come no one else can see the staircase?"

"I don't know, maybe it's works on the same kind of theory as Thestrals..."

"Perhaps," said Malfoy quietly. "What's in the room?"

"I'll show you."

Harry placed his hand on the golden plaque and pushed gently. He muttered something, that Malfoy could not hear, under his breath, and suddenly the pattern was lit up with moonlight. The door creaked open and Harry stepped inside, pulling Malfoy in with him. It slammed shut behind them at once, and instantly the torches around the walls lit up, bathing the room in a dim, flickering light.

"Wow," breathed Malfoy.

"Do you like it?"

"I...it's.... wow," he repeated.

Before them was a circular room, with crimson walls and floor, and in the centre an enormous double bed. On one wall was a small fire, and a huge window took up the one opposite, with the same pattern woven onto it as on the door.

"I love this room. I looked for somewhere like this at the end of my fourth year because I needed a place to think. That's how I found this place, I think. I've come here as often as I could in the last year. Lots to think about..."

Malfoy nodded. He couldn't take his eyes off the bed. "So, um, why have you brought me here?" he asked hoarsely.

"Haven't you guessed yet?" said Harry, turning to him

"Well...I..."

"You're here because I want you to be. Because I can't stand the thought of not being able to be close to you until the Easter holidays without at least saying goodbye properly." He turned to face Malfoy, his eyes glinting in the faded light. Malfoy couldn't stop staring at him- he was so bloody gorgeous. Harry continued, "And because, of course, the fear of getting caught is a massive turn on."

Malfoy laughed. "Well what are we waiting for?"

Harry bent forward and kissed his neck, sucking a little. Malfoy moaned.

"Come and look at this," Harry muttered. He walked over to the enormous window, and pressed his hands against it. From here they could see almost the whole castle, the lake, the forest and most of the grounds. In the distance they could see the huge entrance gates.

"I love being here, at Hogwarts," said Harry. "I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be, to be honest."

"No," said Malfoy. "I used to hate it...it was simply a principle. But now...well, I've changed and so have a hell of a lot of my opinions."

Rain was thudding onto the window, and trickling down in large droplets, making everything beyond slightly blurred.

"Malfoy?" said Harry.

"What?" said Malfoy, turning to face Harry.

Harry said nothing, just took hold of Malfoy's waist, pulled it towards his own and pushed their lips together. They kissed slowly, savouring the moment. Malfoy's mouth opened and Harry slid his tongue in, massaging the inside of Malfoy's mouth delicately.

Malfoy moaned as he felt his heart speed up. His stomach seemed to have disappeared- it was a very nice feeling. He lifted his hand and placed it on Harry's chest as they kissed.

He felt that heart beating too.

They deepened the kiss, and kissed more frantically, more urgently, more passionately. Neither had ever felt so close to another person, physically or emotionally, as they did now.

Before they knew it they were both naked, kissing in front of the window, feeling the friction between each other's bodies as they moved slowly.

They paused for breath.

"Fuck, Malfoy. Don't ever leave me...don't you dare, you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Potter."

They fell onto the bed, and pulled the covers over their forms. Lying side-by-side they looked into each other's eyes, being slowly seduced by the beauty before them. Malfoy touched Harry's face gently, and ran his finger down the silky skin, onto the neck and down the chest, which heaved as Harry gasped for breath.

Harry smiled slightly, and said, "I want to give you something."

Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"

Harry slipped under the covers and turned Malfoy over gently. He smelled Malfoy's gentle scent, and felt himself stirring.

With his hand resting around Malfoy he kissed the back of his neck slowly, biting gently. Malfoy made a small noise of sheer pleasure.

Harry covered every part of his body in licks and kisses, turning him over onto his back once more. With his free hand he explored the smooth chest and body. He kissed down the middle of his neck, and pulled his tongue down the body, finally reaching his chest where he stopped, and sucked slightly. His mouth moved to Malfoy's nipple and began to lick circles around it, and over it. He moved quickly, and did not trouble to be gentle. Malfoy felt intense pleasure, and a huge need for more.

"Fuck...Potter...you're such a.... Ohhhhhhhh...my God..."

Harry stopped licking and smiled to himself. He shifted his position until he was lying on top of Malfoy, once more their erections touching. As he began to move the hand touching Malfoy, he resisted touching himself; he knew he would come before Malfoy if he did.

The fast strokes, the different pressures and the light touches made Malfoy's body quiver with pleasure. He tried to speak...to say something to Harry...but he couldn't get the words out.

Harry felt Malfoy buck his hips involuntarily and felt a strong urge to touch himself. But he mustn't.

Finally Malfoy came, Harry feeling his powerful orgasm. Screaming into the night.

As Harry rolled off Malfoy and they regained their breath Malfoy was, at last, able to say something.

"You...you are fabulous, you know that?"

"Really? Glad to please..."

"Oh you do that alright..."

Harry laughed.

Harry kissed Malfoy's forehead, and licked it delicately. Malfoy's fingers stopped suddenly.

"What?" asked Harry.

"You," he smiled.

"What?"

"Shh. Don't say anything. Just...enjoy."

Harry's eyes widened in wonder.

He felt Malfoy's hands close firmly around him, and he closed his eyes. But Malfoy did not move his hands, as Harry had done before. Instead he slid his body and head under the covers of the bed. At first Harry felt nothing, but then the fingers around him began to stroke lightly and Harry moaned loudly.

Malfoy stopped stroking and his head reappeared suddenly. "Don't stop me," he said simply. He cupped Harry's beautiful face in his hands, kissed him, and trailed his fingers back below the covers, down the body. The skin was now slightly damp with perspiration, which smelt so damn sweet. Malfoy felt his own self throb with desire.

As Harry felt the gentle stoking movement begin again he felt the only thing that could have made the moment better would be for Malfoy's face to be next to him.

He tried to repress his moans, but failed- it was impossible, the feelings were too strong. The feelings Malfoy was giving him, and the feelings he felt in his heart for the boy he was slowly growing to love.

The fingers were moving slower now, savouring what was beneath them.

Harry gasped in surprise as he felt a new sensation- something deliciously warm and wet had run up his excitement. Before he could decide what it could have been his whole erection had felt the same thing. It began to move slowly, up and down; Malfoy's mouth.

"Shit!" called Harry in amazement. The feelings he was getting were fantastic.

Mafloy was nervous, as he tried new things; he had never done this before- it was purely guesswork on his part, but from the noises coming from above him he was doing well.

Harry felt the boy run his mouth up him again, it was driving him wild. With each fresh movement came new levels of pleasure.

His breathing was heavier, and his loud groans were more frantic.

As Malfoy pulled up one more time he felt Harry quiver, his body shook and he came forcefully, yelling loudly.

Malfoy appeared again by Harry's side. Both were panting slightly.

"Thank-you, Malfoy. Thank-you so much," Harry said quietly. He kissed Malfoy, and put his hand on the boy's waist. He was avoiding Malfoy's eyes.

Malfoy seemed to know what was wrong. "It's alright," he said. "I don't expect you to return it right now. I don't want you for the physical side, anyway. I want you for you."

They wrapped their arms around each other, and soon they had soon fallen asleep in each other's arms.

The room was silent except for the slow breathing of the boys. The lights had died, and the fire was merely embers. The window was wreathed in steam, and as the rain battered outside, a large drop appeared on the inside and made a path through the vapour.

Chapter 15- Dark Plans

The next few weeks were sheer hell for Harry and Malfoy; they met often in the corridors, but were not able to touch each other, talk, or even smile. They had to pretend as though there was nothing new between them, only the old bitter hatred. They did not dare meet, and the full moon was a whole month again, so they could not even meet in the Gryffindor common room. The boys were longing for each other, but the best they could do was fantasise as they pleasured themselves; it was a poor substitute.

The only time they had got close to speaking was when their Quidditch practices had clashed. That time Ginny and Malfoy had come close to hitting each other over the argument about whose turn it was to practice (though in reality that was probably just the excuse) and Harry had had to separate them. As he had pushed Malfoy away in the chest he could not look at the boy in the face. He did, however, let his hand linger there on his body for a moment before taking to the air again.

During the third potions lesson of the term Snape, who seemed to be in a particularly grim mood, stood at the front of the class and announced that he wanted to see Hermione, Harry, Parvati Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson at the end of the lesson. Hermione and Harry looked at each other in trepidation. "Great," muttered Harry, "Just what I always wanted- to spend more time with Snape when I could be eating my dinner..."

Hermione laughed, but Snape flashed his eyes in their direction. Harry just rolled his eyes as soon as Snape had turned his back, thankful that he, unlike Moody, did not possess a magical eye. As they reached the end of the lesson, and the rest of the class gathered around the door, fighting to get away, Harry, Hermione, Malfoy, Parvati and Pansy gathered around Snape's desk. He didn't say anything for a while, just kept them in suspense while he pretended to be busy with his briefcase. At last he turned to face them.

"The careers you indicated an interest in at last year's careers interviews all require a NEWT in Potions," he said shortly. "However, they also ask for an extra exam to be taken, in which you are asked to make some of the more complex potions, and understand why specific ingredients do what. Therefore, if you still wish to partake in those careers once a week you will come down here and meet me, and we will learn potions together." Then he added, "What a jolly prospect.... now, I know it's only the Ravenclaws who have Quidditch practice on a Thursday, and as none of you are Ravenclaws I assume that would be a good day to learn. All agreed?" And without waiting for an answer, "Right. I will see you here at precisely 7.00pm on Thursday."

The five of them just stared at him with their mouths open, but at the look he gave them they closed their mouths once more in unison. "You are dismissed," spat Snape. "All except Potter and Malfoy."

"Oh, Fuck!" muttered Harry under his breath, and he was sure he had heard Malfoy utter something suspiciously similar.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Want me to wait?" she asked.

"No. No thanks. You go on to dinner," said Harry bitterly. "I'll catch up in a minute. Tell Ron for me, will you?"

"Sure," Hermione nodded and left with the other three, all complaining; strangely, the prospect of extra potions seemed to be the only thing that would let Gryffindors and Slytherins have a fairly civilised conversation together.

Once the door had swung closed behind them Snape turned to face the boys. "Right," he said quietly. "You two are the only two people in the school other than certain teachers who know my position with The Dark Lord. That position is very dangerous, and not just for me, so I intend to keep it that way, agreed?"

They nodded mutely in unison.

"Good. What I really wanted to speak to you about is The Dark Lord himself. I know you both know something went on that night.... when.... when I ...when I came back and had to go to the hospital wing," he forced the words out of his mouth in a rush, as though he were ashamed of himself for needed treatment for his injuries. "But I'm not about to tell you the details. All you two need to know is that something is going to happen again, meaning both of you, and especially you, Potter, will be in grave danger. We already know it's because of you that he summons the Death Arch into Hogwarts, and the only way we can avoid him caching you is for you to go nowhere near the place where that arch appears, you understand? You are to stay in Gryffindor Tower. Tonight, and all other night's, too, if possible.

"And there was something else, as well. That night...you two. Why? Why were you together? What's going on?"

"We weren't together," said Malfoy at once. "We just happened to be in the same place at the same time. It wasn't our fault."

Snape raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Nevertheless he ignored it and said, "We will have another chat soon, until then keep you noses out of everything, got it?"

They nodded once more.

"Right. See you on Thursday, 7 pm sharp."

Harry turned to go, but Malfoy said loudly, "Shouldn't Potter be coming on extra days too, Professor? After all he was taking remedial potions last year, and he didn't actually get the grades required to do NEWT level Potions...he needs more extra lessons surely, because he's so fucking crap at potions-"

"Shut up Malfoy!" yelled Harry. "What would you know? You know nothing! What the hell is wrong with you? What would you know about the extra lessons I'm doing? I was taking fucking occlumency, so don't give me that shit-"

"Excuse me," said Snape calmly, "Extremely entertaining though this little tiff between you is, I am hungry and would like very much to get into the Great Hall to find my dinner waiting for me. And Potter if you ever use language like that again in front of me we will be taking this to Professor McGonagall, do you understand?" Snape's voice was quiet and dangerous, and both boys knew he was not joking, though Malfoy still smirked. Harry considered complaining but knew it would only land him in even more trouble, so thought the better of it. Instead he just said, "Yes, Professor," sulkily and turned to go.

As he drew close to the door, Snape said, "And I think we'll make it...let's see...20 points from Gryffindor for your trouble, okay? I think you, Mr Potter, will be the Gryffindors' downfall this year, you see if I'm right..."

Harry just slammed the door behind him in response.

Seconds later Malfoy came out of the classroom, and Harry, waiting behind the door, caught his arm, refusing point blank to let go of him all the way down the corridor.

"What the HELL did you do that for, you bastard?!" he hissed furiously.

"Hey, hey, don't make me jump like that! No reason," replied Malfoy calmly.

"You arse! What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. Potter, you really should just learn to control your temper, one day it will land you in deeper shit than twenty points lost from Gryffindor, you can be sure. Now, like Snape, I am very hungry so if you could please just let-"

"Oh no you don't," Harry interrupted. "In here now." He dragged Malfoy forcefully into an empty classroom and closed the door.

"Ahhh, at last!" said Malfoy.

"Don't mess me around Malfoy, and tell me why the fuck you did that. Why did you provoke me like that? I thought you liked me?"

"I do. I like you a lot. But we have to keep up the pretence, don't we?"

"No! Not like that, anyway!"

"Oh, calm down. You know I like you. And I'm telling the truth when I say I like you a lot. I don't know all the reasons why I did it, but one of the reasons was because I knew you'd do this."

"What are you on about, Malfoy?"

"This. Us. Alone. In a classroom. At last. I knew you'd make it happen, and if it took getting you in a temper to do it...then...so be it. And...I know it's a cliché, Harry, but you are so fucking hot when you're angry!" And with that he shoved Harry against a wall and began to kiss him deeply. Harry was taken aback, and at first he tried to resist, but soon gave in.

Malfoy trapped Harry's hands behind him on the wall back as they kissed, giving him total control as he rubbed their bodies together. But Harry was having none of it.

"Wanker," he panted as he swung his body around and reversed the situation; it was now Malfoy who was trapped, unable to escape, helpless.

"Oh yes," replied Mafloy. "In both our fantasies." He grinned mischievously.

"Shut up and let me kiss you."

Malfoy did as he was told, and soon they were both lost in the kiss again. Quickly they had forgotten their game of dominance and were stroking each other frantically, becoming more and more wound up as they moved.

Footsteps outside made them break off suddenly. The footsteps were sharp and curt; Harry recognised them.

"Shit!" he said. "It's Snape!"

They waited until the footsteps had rounded a corner before bursting out laughing.

"Fucking typical of him to spoil the mood," said Malfoy.

"I know...git. We should be going. We'll be missed at dinner."

Malfoy sighed. "I suppose," he said in a long-suffering voice, as though friends were the bane of his life. He kissed Harry once more before leaving the room with his robes hiding the lump on his crotch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner was over and the Gryffindors were making their way back up the stairs to the common room. Tomorrow was Friday, and then, at last, would be the weekend. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were walking together, complaining about various teachers and the amount of homework they had been set.

"I'm just going to the loo," said Ginny, "I'll see you in a minute." She slipped off down the corridor towards the bathroom.

She emerged five minutes later and began to walk back towards Gryffindor Tower, drying her hands on her robes as she did so. As she rounded the corner she walked into something solid, which squealed as they hit each other.

"Watch where you're going!" Ginny said angrily.

"Same could be said for you! Look forward and you might get somewhere, bitch."

"Watch your mouth! Don't you dare call me-" Ginny yelled angrily as she looked up. But she stopped dead. The girl she had hit was a Ravenclaw 6^th year who she hadn't paid much attention to before now. Her hair was long, straight, and dark, and fell around her shoulders. Her eyes were piercing blue, and her features were beautiful. Her mouth, Ginny could not help noticing, was full and red. She was not tall, but she was slender and elegant.

"Uhm...sorry." Ginny stuttered.

"It's OK," the girl said resentfully. She bent down to pick up the books she had dropped when they had collided. Ginny stared, mesmerised. As the girl straightened she saw Ginny looking. "What?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. It doesn't matter. Sorry...I...bye then."

"Bye..." said the girl, her tone clearly showed she had noticed Ginny's odd behaviour. As Ginny walked up the corridor she screwed up her face in embarrassment and felt herself turn red. Shit! She thought, Bollocks I am such a stupid cow!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ginny flung herself into the common room, slammed the portrait hole closed and ran towards the girls' staircase.

"Ginny?" Harry called after her. She made no sign that she had heard him, however, she simply ran up the stairs as fast as she could. "What on earth?"

"Oh leave her, she's a moody cow. It's probably another one of her boyfriends getting bored again..." said Ron.

"Ron!" said Hermione sharply. "Don't be so horrible! I'm going to see what's up with her." And she stalked off up the stairs after Ginny.

Ron shook his head in disbelief and turned back to Harry. "Go on then. Open it."

Harry turned his attention back to the brown owl sitting patiently on the arm of his chair and removed the letter attached to its leg. Ron bent his head over to read it as well.

Dear Harry,

How are you? Hope you had a good Christmas and didn't get too wound up with Malfoy [here, Harry had to fight back a laugh]. I just wanted to say that I hope to be seeing you soon, I don't know how soon, though.

In the meantime, stay aware of what's around you and be careful.

Snape told us that you and Malfoy found him after his mission for the Order. Well done, but I still don't want you wandering around school at night Harry, and with Malfoy!! Never mind, just be more careful in future, and especially now we know about the Death Arch.

Snape doesn't want to say anything to you about the mission tonight, but I think you have a right to know, especially after last time- there's going to be a raid on a Muggle village in the South, it's the first one since Voldemort returned. This will be the confirmation to the wizarding world that he truly is back it's their wake-up call, Harry. Snape has a dangerous mission- he has to present himself at the scene, but still be discreet in not killing anyone. He's expected to take part in baiting the Muggles, then torture and then kill them. He also has to prevent more death at the hands of other Death Eaters. Needless to say he could get found out tonight, but we just have to hope otherwise. The raid will be big news, because it will follow almost exactly the same pattern as those 16 years ago. It will be all over the Daily Prophet tomorrow.

It's dangerous and it's horrible, but it's still nothing to do with you, Ron, or Hermione (or Malfoy), so I don't want you getting involved.

I hope to be able to speak to you in the fire soon ,until then look after yourselves.

Remus.

"Shit..." said Harry. "It's actually beginning. Just like it was all that time ago...Cedric and...and Sirius won't be his last victims, there will be hundreds more. And we know about it... Ron, we can't just sit here and do nothing while we know this is going on. We can't let it happen! We're the only one's who can do something because we're the only ones who have any idea about what it going to happen tonight! We have to do something."

Ron looked sorely tempted, but said, "Harry, we can't. It's too dangerous. You don't know how many Death Eaters will be there. And what the hell do you think we'll be able to do? Remus is right, there's nothing we can do. If there was anything to be done, the Order would be doing it, but there's nothing. Nothing at all."

"We can't just go to bed like nothing's happening tonight!"

"I know Harry! But we've got no choice! I'm sorry mate..."

Harry sighed. "It's alright," he said. "I know what you mean. I'm sorry..."

Hermione reappeared from the staircase. They turned to her. "Well?" they said.

"Nothing," she said. "She won't tell me anything. Only that she's 'a daft cow', and she won't listen to me when I tell her otherwise."

Harry nodded, but distinctly heard Ron mutter, "She is a daft cow..."

A noise in front of him caught his attention. He looked up. Ginny was standing before him, looking severely pissed off with Ron, but upset at the same time. "C-can I talk to you, Harry?" she asked.

"Yeah, 'course!" Harry replied standing up. Ginny sniffed, and scrubbed her eyes with her fist. He walked around the table and wrapped his arms around her. "C'mon, Ginny. Come up to the dorm."

Ron was staring at them amazed. "Harry? Are you and G-"

"Don't even think of it," Harry interrupted forcefully, as they walked up the stairs.

*

They sat on Harry's bed and he drew the hangings around them. "So, what's up?"

"I'm so fucking stupid that's what's up," she replied miserably.

"No you're not. You're gorgeous and intelligent and amazing. Why do you think you're stupid?"

"Because I just saw.... shit...I just made a total arse of myself."

"Who says so?"

"I do. And when.... when she looked at me she did too."

"Uh.... no, sorry Ginny, you've lost me now."

Ginny told him about how she had walked into the Ravenclaw girl, and then screamed at her, before she had noticed who exactly it was she had walked into.

"-And she was bloody gorgeous Harry, and I made such an arse of myself, and I could tell she was thinking the same thing!" she finished, somewhat hysterically.

"Ohh, Ginny, not necessarily! How do you know she isn't in her dorm right now thinking exactly the same thing?"

"Because she didn't make an arse of herself and she didn't fancy me like I fancied her!"

Harry didn't say anything.

"You never know," he said. Ginny just sniffed. "Look, Ginny, there's nothing I can say that will make you feel better, you know that? The only way you can feel better about it is by talking to her."

"I can't."

"Yes you can. Look at Malfoy and I. The amount of times we've made arses of ourselves in front of each other! And we thought the other one could never possibly be feel the same...and now look at us! We'd be at it like Kneazles if we could be! We've come over the guilt, and the feelings of shame just because we're gay. Miracles do happen sometimes, Ginny."

"No. I can't. But...thanks anyway, Harry," she hugged him again. "I love you, you know."

"Yeah, me too," he said hugging her back. "And cheer up, yeah?"

She smiled grimly at him as she flung the hangings back and stood up.

And there, standing framed in the doorway with a look of utmost disgust on his face, was Ron.