Sunrise

He's lying beside me, asleep. Even in sleep, he doesn't lose that haunted look. I miss his beautiful, carefree smile. After the 3rd task, he was withdrawn, quiet, closed-off, and very serious. He quit laughing and smiling, and hanging out with his friends.

Now almost two years later, he's more like his old self, but the haunted look never leaves his emerald green eyes. He started laughing and smiling again but it isn't the same. His childhood innocence is gone, stolen at the age of 14 by an unmerciful enemy. I wish I could take his pain away but I cannot. He won't let me get too close. Still I try to erase the evil he has seen with my every touch, kiss, and embrace.

I think he's happy with me. I hope he is because I love him so much. He is everything to me. I would do anything for him. I'd kill the bastard myself for doing this to him, but I cannot. I know he has to face the Dark Lord himself, to face his own demons and finally be free. I'm scared for him. I cannot lose him. If I did, I would lose myself as well. I cannot live without him. He is a part of me, my very soul.

He stirs beside me. He finds no peace even at night. I take him in my arms and place his head on my chest. His breathing relaxes and he stops fidgeting. I whisper, "It's ok, baby. I'm here."

He mumbles against my chest, "Draco?"

"Yes, love, its me." I wrap my arms even tighter around him. I can feel him smile across my skin.

"I'm glad you're here."

My heart skips a beat. "I'll always be here for you, Harry."

"Never let me go."

"Never. I'll kill anyone who tries to take you away from me," I promise him.

He pulls himself up and stares down into my eyes, his own eyes bright with emotion. "I'll never let anybody come between us. You mean too much to me." Now those emerald eyes are burning with love and conviction. I tenderly trace his cheekbone with my fingertips and I feel him shiver.

"Nobody will hurt you when I'm around. I love you, Harry Potter."

He smiles, a true, one-of-a-kind Harry smile. He is so beautiful. "I love you, Draco Malfoy."

We kiss gently and then more passionately. We make love slowly. A kiss here, a touch there. As the sun is rising, there is one last cry of ecstasy and we lay content in each other's arms. I look into his eyes and the haunted look is barely visible. It has been pushed back into the far recesses of his soul. I know now that he has decided to fight back, to reclaim his life. He smiles at me. Love, courage, and hope, Harry's three most important values, are shining in his eyes. He chuckles and says, "Fooled you, didn't I?"

"Not in the least," I reply, surprised that he read my mind.

"Ha." He's laughing fully now and I smile because it feels so good to hear his laugh. I look out the window and see the sun rising on a brand new day. I realize that this is a new beginning for Harry and for us as well. I pull Harry closer and kiss him softly. "Welcome back, Potter."

He grins at the use of his surname and says, "Missed me, didn't you, Malfoy?"

"Not in the least," I say and proceed to wrap him up in a bear hug and devour him with kisses.

I laugh as Harry mumbles against my ear before nibbling on it, "Now this is what I call a welcome back party."