The Reason

Chapter 25

'If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today? If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way? If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call? If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all? I never know what the future brings, but I know you are here with me now. We'll make it through and I hope you are the one I share my life with. I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand, if I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am? Is there any way that I can stay in your arms? If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed? If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head? If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life? I don't know why you're so far away, but I know that this much is true; we'll make it through, and I hope you are the one I share my life with. And I wish that you could be the one I die with, and I pray in you're the one I build my home with. I hope I love you all my life. 'Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away, and I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today, ' cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right, and though I can't be with you tonight I know my heart is by your side. I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand, if I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am? Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?' "If you're not the one" ~ Daniel Bedingfield

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The next morning at breakfast, Harry received a note:

"Harry, I've got a problem. Meet me tonight at midnight in the classroom.

Draco"

There was no need to specify which classroom; Harry remembered their encounters there all too well. Harry went through the rest of his classes like a zombie, torn between worry about Draco's unnamed problem, and excitement and relief that Draco had turned to him for help.

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"Have you ever heard of an American band named Hoobastank?" Draco asked when Harry walked in. He was seated on a desk, waiting for Harry. What's your problem?"

"I started it to get back at my father," Draco continued as if he hadn't heard Harry. "I bought a TV and a radio, and I started listening to Muggle music, mainly American, and watching American TV. But really, they have some good stuff. Like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Hoobastank."

"Malfoy, what are you talking about?" Harry demanded, beginning to lose patience. "What's your problem?"

"Harry, for once in your life, just shut up and listen to me, okay?"

Harry nodded, surprised by the passion in Draco's voice.

"The band I was talking about, Hoobastank? Their hit song is called The Reason. Beautiful lyrics, Harry, just beautiful. I've heard the song so many times that I have them memorized. 'I'm not a perfect person, there are many things I wish I didn't do, but I continue learning. I never meant to do those things to you, and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know: I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be, a reason to start over new, and the reason is you." Draco spoke softly, and as he spoke, he stood up and walked slowly Harry until he was only inches away.

'I'm sorry that I hurt you, it's something I must live with every day, and all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away, and be the one who catches all your tears, that's why I need you to hear. I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be, a reason to start over new, and the reason is you.

'I'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you, and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know, I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be, a reason to start over new, and the reason is you. I've found a reason to show a side of me you didn't know, a reason for all that I do, and the reason is you.'

"You're my reason, Harry," Draco said, and Harry stared at him, shocked.

Chapter 26

'Hope dangles on a string, like slow spinning redemption, winding in and winding out. The shine ahead has caught my eye, and roped me in so mesmerizing, it's so hypnotizing, I am captivated, I am vindicated, I am selfish, I am wrong, I am right, I swear I'm right, swear I knew it all along, and I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so well, I am seeing in me now, the things you swore you saw yourself. So clear, like the diamond in your ring, cut to mirror your intention, oversized and overwhelmed, the shine of which has caught my eye, and rendered me so isolated so motivated I am certain now that I am vindicated, I am selfish, I am wrong, I am right, I swear I'm right, swear I knew it all along, and I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so well, I am seeing in me now, the things you swore you saw yourself. So tired of the corners of your lips, part them and feel my finger tips, trace the moment for forever. Defense is paper thin, just one touch and I'd be in, too deep now to ever swim against the current. So let me slip away. So let me slip against the current. Vindicated, I am selfish, I am wrong, I am right, I swear I'm right, swear I knew it all along, and I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so well, I am seeing in me now, the things you swore you saw yourself. My hope dangles on a string like slow spinning redemption.' "Vindicated" ~ Dashboard Confessional

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"Our telepathy - it still works?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Harry. For everything. I was scared. You had an excuse - you were becoming a very powerful demon, and it was influencing you. I had no excuse, except that somewhere deep down, I've always felt this way about you. I thought you would get cured, and you would forget about me, so I wanted to end it before I got hurt. I'm sorry."

"What do you mean, the demon was influencing me? My feelings for you were all that kept the demon in me from taking complete control - like that time during Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"But when you kissed me, I could feel the demon growing stronger."

"Of course you did. The one thing demons hate above all else is love, so it fought for control every time I was around you. My feelings for you made me more human, less demon, and it had to fight that. Draco, believe me when I tell you that it was every bit me when I kissed you."

"Harry, I'm so sorry for everything. I've been such a jerk, I - "

"Shut up and kiss me already," Harry said.

Draco eagerly obeyed, and Harry wondered if he had died and gone to heaven. For two weeks he had dreamed of this moment, Draco in his arms, everything else fading away into nothingness.