Not Just an Empty Emotion

Chapter 31- Beginning to Fall

"Draco..." Harry said thickly as he lay exhausted on the ground. Despite the pain and the acid sickness he was feeling, deep-rooted confusion was forcing its way through the clouds in his brain. "What did you...how....when...?"

"I taught myself.... last year..."

"But how?"

"I don't know. I'm not really sure. I think it was just something I really wanted to do. I looked it up in the library, read dozens of books on it. I couldn't practice in Hogwarts, obviously, so I sneaked out during the night into Hogsmeade. And I perfected it at home over the summer. I think I just needed to prove I was good at something."

"But you are, you're good at a lot of things," Harry said, puzzled.

Draco shrugged. "I've never really seen it that way. Maybe I'm not bad at them, but I'm not good at them."

Harry smiled to himself, hardly daring to believe that Draco Malfoy was avoiding his eyes as he admitted insecurity. "I can give you one thing you're good at," he said.

"Go on," Draco said, sceptically, not believing Harry could find anything.

But Harry struggled upright, pulled Draco to him, and kissed him. "That," he said simply.

Draco laughed. "Thanks. Good to know."

More screams and shouts tore through the air from the direction of Hogsmeade, breaking them apart. They were distant noises, but close enough to be disturbing.

"What are we going to do?" Harry tried to keep his voice steady.

"Well we're not going back," Draco said at once. "You have to stay away."
Harry frowned. He was strong enough and old enough to fight, and no one, not even Draco, could tell him what to do. He wasn't some irresponsible kid who didn't know how to take care of himself. Draco seemed to read his expression. "No, Harry! I wouldn't bloody care if you were Longbottom or if you were Merlin, it doesn't matter how powerful you are it's too great a risk!"

Harry looked away, ashamed. Draco was right, of course. It was stupid to even consider fighting. He'd had too many close shaves already, but that didn't stop the temptation and frustration he felt.

And the knowledge that he couldn't- that he mustn't-- do anything didn't stop the horrible feeling that drenched his stomach every time another terrified scream or flash of light came their way. He could only hope the Order were holding some control over the situation...

They sat silently with their arms around each other, wrapped in the invisibility cloak for what seemed like hours, waiting as the struggle continued...

*

Finally, as the sky turned from deep blue to black, the noises died down.

"Do you think it's over?"

"Dunno. I haven't heard anything for ages."

"Think we can risk going back to the castle?"

Harry looked at Draco in shock. "Already?"

"Well what else were you thinking of doing? We can't exactly stay out here all night, can we? It's bloody freezing, pouring with rain, and probably dangerous, too!"

"I suppose so."

Draco stood up and heaved Harry with him. "Come on then. Are you sure you're OK?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just... a bit shocked I suppose..."

They began to walk around the walls of the castle, towards the gates standing as close as possible beneath the invisibility cloak. Harry felt strangely exposed, even though he knew no one could see them, and he glanced around constantly for any unusual signs of movement or danger. And suddenly they were there. They had rounded a corner and the gates of Hogwarts had loomed up in front of them. Harry stumbled towards them desperately, dragging Draco along with him. It was only when they stepped through the Castle Gates, and heard them clang shut behind them that he felt more able to relax. Draco whispered in his ear, and they walked slowly up the drive and onto the grassy slope, which was slippery because of the rain, causing them to trip and stagger.

"Shh!" Draco said suddenly, grabbing Harry's arm to stop him.

"What? I'm not saying-"

"Someone's there" Draco whispered. Harry squinted through the darkness and saw a dark shadow drawing rapidly closer. It had an odd shape...long and thin, but it moved elegantly.

"It's Dumbledore!" Draco whispered suddenly.

"I need to speak to him, stay here," Harry replied. Before Draco could stop him he had extracted himself from the Invisibility Cloak and strode up to Dumbledore.

"Professor Dumbledore?" His voice was shaking.

If Dumbledore was shocked to see Harry before him, he hid it well. "Ahh, Harry!" he said, his voice only revealing the slightest sign of relief that Harry was alive and well.

"What's happening, Professor?"

"It's over. This time Voldemort had to admit defeat- He and his Death Eaters have left Hogsmeade and Aurors and members of the Order are still in the Village."

"Is everyone OK?"

"Ah...well... Voldemort is determined, Harry. Several of the Villagers were terribly injured, as were some Aurors...and you saw them take the life of poor young Miss Wood in The Three Broomsticks. Mercifully no more students or teachers suffered. Mr and Mrs Wood are indirectly involved in the Order. They are, obviously, devastated about their Daughter's fate, but- though I allowed them the option-they do not wish me to close the school. I think Cornelius Fudge has other ideas, but he has no more control over this school than Dolores Umbridge ever did." Even in the thin moonlight Harry could see Dumbledore's eyes glittering.

"Tonight's events were tragic, Harry, but given the circumstances they were the best we could have hoped for. Hogwarts is being given extra protection and there will be no more Hogsmeade visits for the foreseeable future.

"It is late, Harry, I am now satisfied that our remaining students are safe and back inside Hogwarts. I think you should go to bed and get some rest."

Harry nodded. "Thank you. Goodnight, Professor." Dumbledore turned and walked back towards the castle. Harry covered himself in the cloak again; glad to feel Draco's warmth next to him. The rain, which had stopped briefly, had now begun falling furiously once more. They did not speak as they walked into the castle.

They stopped when they reached the Entrance Hall, where they were to separate. "How does Dumbledore know everyone's safe? He couldn't have known about me." Draco sounded slightly hurt.

"Dumbledore knows a lot of things. I don't think Invisibility Cloaks fool him, most of the time."

"Do you think he saw me?"

"Probably not. He wasn't looking for you, was he? And he wouldn't have known I had the Cloak. No...I think it's probably something to do with Swan..."

Draco smiled. "Should've guessed."

They fell silent for a few minutes longer. Not willing to face departure.

"I don't want to leave you, Draco," Harry admitted.

"But you have to."

"I know. But I need you with me. Tonight, at least."

"I want to be with you, too. You know I do, but there's nothing we can do."

"There is!" Harry said suddenly, thinking of something he knew should have been obvious to him all along. Draco frowned at him.

"Come with me," Harry said, grabbing Draco's hand to lead him in the dark.
Draco followed silently as Harry pulled him up staircase after staircase after staircase...along dark corridors...

"Where are we-"

"Shh...here."

"What? Harry, I don't under-"

Suddenly Harry was pushing the handle to a door which had appeared in the wall from nowhere, but looked as though it should have been there all along.

"The Room of Requirement..." Harry said simply.

Harry turned the handle and they walked in cautiously. They found a fairly large, cosy room. There was a roaring fire, great windows which currently had rain streaming down them...deep scarlet walls and, most amazing of all, a large four poster bed in the centre of the room. It looked as though the room was waiting just for them.

"Wow..." Draco breathed.

"Perfect, isn't it..." Harry said.

"Yeah...how?"

"Never mind."

"I always wondered what the inside of this place looked like...I never managed to sneak in on your meetings last year..."

"It changes," Harry replied, "depending on what you need to use it for."

"Oh yeah? And what are we needing to use it for tonight?"

"Shut up," Harry said, but he was half grinning. He had decided that now would not be a good time to tell Draco that the DA meetings had been happening throughout this year too-though far less frequently than before. He pulled the cloak off them and threw it to the floor. Draco was soaking wet, and all the more sexy for it. Draco's look of awe told Harry that he must have been thinking the same thing.

"What?" Draco said.

"Just looking...you."

"Why?" Draco asked, smiling slightly.

"Because you're gorgeous."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really."
Harry walked over to the window and pressed his hands against it, looking out over the steely lake below, raindrops hitting it like arrows in the night. Draco followed and looked out too. He put his hands on Harry's waist and looked at him. His soaked clothes were clinging to every part of his body...his arms...his chest...his stomach...and places lower down too. Draco swallowed hard. Harry's wet hair was falling across his face and into the deep green eyes that were watching Draco carefully.

"What?" It was Harry's turn to ask this time.

"Nothing, I...you're..." He leant forwards and their lips met briefly. "Harry..." His lips brushed Harry's as he spoke, and a wave of pleasure broke over his body at the touch. He couldn't finish the sentence. He swallowed again.

"Shhh...." Harry whispered, placing a gentle hand on Draco's cheek and kissing him again. Deeper, more passionately. Their heartbeats grew faster as the kiss became more urgent. Harry slid his hand beneath Draco's tee shirt and caressed his chest before pulling it over his head and discarding it.

Soon all of their clothes were in a pile on the floor as they stood holding each other. Draco led Harry to the bed and lay upon it, pulling Harry down next to him. Harry looked at Draco taking in every detail of his appearance. He'd seen this before but this time...this time it was different. Even more perfect. His body was still wet from the rain, and it glistened in the candlelight as Draco panted slightly. The almost pure white skin... the strong but delicate body.

He had once thought that Draco had an ugly, pointed face, but now only saw perfect cheekbones, blood red lips, and smouldering eyes. His wet hair swept across his face, the contrasting shades of blond the ideal frame for it. He looked so damn sexy...Harry closed his eyes in contentment.

"Harry?" Draco muttered, looking into the eyes as they opened. They seemed to be ablaze with longing.

"What?"

The tender, crimson lips formed the word perfectly...

"I want to stay here, like this, looking at you all night."

"Why?"

This time the candlelight reflected off his flawless skin, adding a touch so sexy Draco did not believe it was possible. The messy black hair, which Harry had hated for so many years, only made Harry's face all the more tempting to Draco.

"Because...because...I need it. I need you. Because I love you."

Harry bit his lip, unintentionally seductively. "I love you, too." He bent down and kissed Draco delicately, savouring the moment. Draco moaned slightly and began to gently trace Harry's lower lip with his teeth.

It was slow...they had all night, after all.

Harry broke the kiss but stayed as close to Draco as possible, his hand still caressing his cheek. "Draco, I..."

He didn't need to ask the question; Draco already knew what it was. Draco placed a finger on Harry's lips to stop him. "Are you sure about this? Is it what you want?" he whispered. Harry quivered at the sound of his voice, so deep and alluring.

"Yes. I've wanted it for so long. And I'm ready now."

Draco swallowed. "Come here...."

They began to kiss again, and then very softly, as though to do it any harder might break him, Harry kissed Draco's face, his neck, his shoulders, his chest. Stopping occasionally to take pleasure in the taste of Draco's warm, wet skin. Draco arched his back slightly as Harry moved lower down. They could feel that they were both excited. Harry covered Draco's entire body in soft kisses, savouring the touch of his body.

He moved back to Draco's level again, and smiled at him. One of Draco's hands was intertwined in Harry's hair as they looked at each other again, the other one stroked Harry's chest longingly.

"Are you OK?" Draco whispered.

"Yes. Fine." He kissed Draco once and then moved himself on top of him. He wasn't fine- he was nervous. "Will it be OK?" he asked.

"Yes. It'll be perfect. I promise." The slight shiver in Draco's tone told Harry that he was nervous too, though not willing to show it.

He breathed deeply. Draco's elegant scent seemed to fill his whole body, calming him, but at the same time making the longing which surged through his body even greater. The skin was perfect, soft and wet...Harry felt Draco shiver slightly as he moved his fingers over him...

He could taste his lover on his lips still, and savoured it, knowing he would soon encounter it again...he longed for the moment, but wanted to take pleasure in this one for as long as possible. He could hear Draco's uneven, expectant breaths...the occasional gasp as Harry's hands slipped over a delicate part...finally he could bare it no longer.

"Good."

Harry couldn't help but notice that Draco had closed his eyes. He kissed Draco slowly, took a breath, and then did it. He slid himself inside Draco. His face only twitched slightly in discomfort, but then, as they began to move together, his eyes flew open and a look of thrill reached across his face. They looked into each other's eyes as they felt the waves of pleasure throughout their bodies. This was more than Harry could ever have imagined, it was the most amazing, most intense, most beautiful feeling he had ever had.

Seeing the expression on Draco's face made it even better. He groaned in bliss as they moved in perfect rhythm. Draco was biting his lip so as not to make a noise.

"It's OK..." Harry whispered, but he found it difficult to speak. "No one can hear..."

Draco moaned loudly in satisfaction releasing his satisfaction.

They couldn't know how long it lasted, only that they savoured every moment. The fist time Harry had kissed Draco he had been astonished at how close everything seemed. That was magnified a hundred times now...Draco seemed to fill every part of him...every fibre of his being. Draco was all he saw, and all he wanted to see. Every time their skin brushed together it was a new shock of ecstasy.

They kissed again, more urgently, moaning as they felt their bodies move. Soon they could not tell where one body ended and the other began; it was as though they were one being and neither wanted to leave that. Their motion and this moment was all either of them knew, and ever wanted to know. Nothing else mattered but this...

They began to move faster...and faster...sighing with enjoyment...lost in this act. And finally, together, they ended it, crying out.

They remained still, and utterly silent. After a minute Draco kissed Harry's lips, he was still shaking slightly, though not with nerves anymore. "Thank you," he whispered simply.

There was no reply, only the soft contented breathing of Harry against his body.

They pulled the blankets over their form, and rested in each others' arms, stroking each other softly, whispering into each others' ears, and cherishing the warmth of their bodies. In peace. It wasn't long before each of them fell asleep, breathing softly, safe in his lover's arms.

The promise had held true: it was perfect.