The Only Thing to Give

"I can't believe we're going back to Hogwarts tomorrow. Where did the summer go?" Hermione said as she placed her newly bought schoolbooks into her trunk.

"Hey 'Mione, did you finish all your assignments?" Ron said with an apprehensive look on his face.

"Ronald Weasley, please don't tell me you didn't finish your assignments!" Hermione scolded. Ron just looked from her to Harry and shrugged. "I can't believe you, Ron. You had the whole summer... I had my work done a week after the term finished." Ron just looked away in shame.

"Ron, Ron, Ron," Draco tutted, "How very irresponsible of you... especially when your girlfriend is first in our year. You have your very own fountain of knowledge at your finger tips and you didn't even ask her if you could copy her work; I'm ashamed to know you," Draco finished and his smirk widened. Hermione hit him rather hard on the arm as she sat down next to him on the bed. "Ow!" Draco said as he rubbed his arm.

"I'm sure even if Ron tried Hermione wouldn't let him copy her work, he wouldn't learn anything that way... right Hermione?" Harry finished and winked at Draco. Draco stuck his tongue out at Harry in response. Hermione burst into laughter soon followed by Ron, Draco and Harry.

After a few minutes of laughter Ginny walked in. She looked around and gave the four laughing teenagers suspicious glares before telling them that dinner was ready.

*~*~*~*~*

After dinner Draco followed Harry to his room to help the Gryffindor finish packing his trunk. Once they arrived the blond plopped down on the bed while Harry took his new schoolbooks out of the plain brown paper and carefully placed them into his cedar trunk.

"Do you have to go home to pack?" Harry looked up at Draco from his crouched position in front of the trunk.

"No... I packed this afternoon when you were in Diagon Alley." Harry smiled, walked over to Draco and lay down next to the blond on the bed.

"Good," Harry said as he pulled the blond in for a quick kiss. "Because I want to have you all to myself tonight... we still haven't celebrated you making head boy." Draco smirked at his lover and Harry kissed him again, rather hungrily this time, pushing the blond so that he was now flat on his back.

Harry started to unbutton Draco's shirt as he nibbled on the blond's ear. Draco moaned and Harry smiled as he continued to suck on his lover's tender lobe. Once Draco's shirt was discarded Harry licked his way down Draco's taut chest taking special attention to the blond's muscular abdomen. Draco moaned even louder this time, tangling his hand in Harry's raven hair. The Gryffindor smiled against his lover's fair skin and began to lick down through the middle of the blond's stomach; his tongue dipping into Draco's naval as he made his way down. Before Harry could unzip the blond's jeans Draco pulled him up so there lips met in a feverish kiss. Draco pulled Harry's black jumper over his head and sucked his way along the raven-haired man's collarbone. Harry groaned in pleasure as Draco unzipped his pants and pulled them off. As Harry was about to do the same to the Slytherin's jeans he felt the blond wince in pain and then groan.

"Draco... what's wrong?" Harry said in a worried voice. Draco looked up at him and Harry could see the pure pain in his deep grey orbs.

"Harry... I-I have to go," Draco said as he wiggled out from under Harry and started to button up his shirt.

"Why... Draco I don't under-" Harry stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the throbbing, blackened mark on Draco's fair skin.

Harry immediately jumped up off the bed and grabbed the blond's pale arm. "Draco... it's one-thirty in the morning. I thought he never summoned you this early, do you think something's happened?" Harry was really scared for Draco even though he tried to hide it.

"No... he usually doesn't summon me in the middle of the night-" Draco could see the fear swirling around Harry's emerald orbs so he pulled the raven-haired man into a soft, comforting hug. "-But don't worry love... I'm sure everything is fine. He probably just needs to discuss something with me... listen," Draco took Harry's chin in his hand forcing the Gryffindor to look up at him. "I'll make sure to find you on the train tomorrow... this way you won't worry the whole time." Harry just nodded weakly as Draco kissed his forehead before sitting on the bed to put on his shoes.

After a few minutes Harry reluctantly walked Draco down to the front door. Draco noticed Harry's emerald eyes were glazing over with tears.

"It's alright Harry... I promise," the blond said in a soft re-assuring whisper.

"Last time you promised me you would be alright, you showed up with a gash on your face!" Harry said in a harsh whisper as hot tears fell down his cheeks.

"Harry... I-" But Draco was cut off.

"NO!" Harry hadn't realized that he was yelling until Mrs. Black's portrait started to wail. "Shit," was all Harry could get out.

Draco, who was already in pain from the summons couldn't stand a headache as well, so he did the only thing he could think of... he got mad. "Shut the fuck up you old bitch!" And for the first time in the three years that Harry had known the old hag of a painting she actually shut up.

"Draco do you realize that you're the only one who has ever gotten her to shut up?" Harry said, staring at the painting in shock.

"Yeah... well, the old bitch knows better than to mess with a Malfoy now doesn't she?" Draco glared at the painting and Mrs. Black nodded her head feebly. Draco walked over and closed her curtains rather violently.

The blond walked over to Harry and gave him a soft kiss on the temple before walking out the door, not saying a word.

Harry stared at the closed door for several minutes before retreating back up the stairs to his room, unable to sleep a wink.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day everyone was up before dawn, doing last minute checks to make sure everything was packed and dragging their trunks to the entrance hallway.

By the time Harry sat down for breakfast Ron was on his third helping of eggs and sausage.

"Here you are Harry dear," Mrs.Weasley said as she placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of him, Harry just pushed it away. "Harry... you really must eat something, you have a big day today."

"Thanks, but I'm really not that hungry." Harry sighed and rested his head in his hands.

"Harry, Where's Draco?" Mr.Weasley casually asked as he read the Daily Prophet.

"He had to leave last night. He was... summoned." Harry frowned.

Hermione was about to speak but Sirius cut her off, "I figured someone left last night. I heard the old bat screeching... although, it was only for a minute or two." Sirius rubbed his thumb and index fingers on his chin in perplexment.

Harry smiled slightly. "Actually Draco shut her up."

"Draco shut her up? How did he manage that," Remus asked with an intrigued look on his face.

"He was angry," Harry simply said with a small smile.

"Hmm... I think I'll be having a little chat with Draco then, maybe he can help me shut the old bitch up permanently," Sirius said before digging into his oatmeal. Remus just laughed and started on his breakfast as well.

*~*~*~*~*~*

After breakfast Harry said goodbye to Sirius and took a specially authorized portkey to platform 9 and ¾ with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Remus, who was rejoining the Hogwarts staff in his old position as the DADA teacher.

Harry quickly bid goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and boarded the train. Remus helped him get his trunk on the train and find an empty compartment. The train left the station a couple minutes after Harry was safely by himself in his compartment. He decided he would ask Ron and Hermione when they returned from the prefects meeting if Draco was there. Harry figured that Draco was on the train but since they arrived late to the platform he didn't have a chance to properly look.

After a couple of hours of wondering and worrying Hermione and Ron finally came back from their meeting.

"Hiya Harry... how's it going?" Ron said happily as he sat down across from Harry.

"No different than a couple of hours ago..." Harry sighed and then spoke again in a small, hesitant voice. "Did... did you see Draco at the prefects meeting?" Harry had a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Sorry Harry... he wasn't there," Hermione said as she shot Ron an apprehensive look.

Harry sighed again, pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"Don't worry mate... I'm sure he's alright," Ron said as he moved to sit next to his friend.

"I'm sure who's alright?" Harry looked up to see a blurry figure standing in the doorway of the compartment. He slid on his glasses and the figure came into focus. Harry smiled in relief; he was about to speak when he saw Crabbe and Goyle lurking near the compartment door, so he thought better of it and concealed his happiness with a mask of indifference.

Hermione stared at Draco and Harry, watching in amazement as the couple had a full conversation with their eyes. After a couple of minutes of odd stares Draco averted his eyes to look at the floor and Harry sighed in frustration and turned to stare out the window.

Surprisingly Goyle witnessed the whole scene; he lightly nudged Draco in the ribs and the blond groaned in pain. Harry heard Draco groan and turned from the window, giving the blond a concerned look.

Goyle's eyes widened, "Sorry Draco, I really didn't mean to... I forgot... I swear I didn't-" Draco's right hand flew up in the air, cutting off Goyle's apology as he wrapped his left protectively around his ribs. Harry noticed this and shot another, more worried, look at Draco. The blond just shook his head and walked out the door still holding his ribs.

"But aren't we going to insult Potty and Weasel?" Harry heard Crabbe say the footsteps faded down the hallway.

Harry looked at Hermione who also noticed Draco's odd behavior.

"Was it just me or is he hurt... again?" Harry said in a low shaky voice, his eyes downcast.

"I don't know Harry... but it looked like it." Hermione frowned at her best friend and then looked at her boyfriend; Ron shook his head and moved to sit next to Harry, bringing up his left hand to pat his friend's back reassuringly. He shook Ron off and rested his head against the cool glass of the window.

Hermione sighed, this was going to be a hard year for Harry; she could already tell.

The rest of the train ride was spent in an unsettling silence.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

If anyone asked Harry what had happened at the sorting ceremony that night Harry probably would have stuttered immensely and made a fool of himself because to tell you the truth, he didn't pay one bit of attention to any of it. He didn't even know how many first years were sorted into his house. He didn't even eat; well actually he pushed his food around his plate pretending to eat to make Hermione happy while he stole glances at the Slytherin table.

Draco was eating and talking somewhat happily to Blaise Zabini as if nothing was wrong. Harry wondered how Draco could keep his cool façade when he was so obviously in pain. Harry silently noted that the blond clutched his ribs every time he moved; he could tell that Draco was in pain. Harry had to find out what was wrong with his lover. So he did the most desperate thing he could think of... he asked Snape.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry stood in front of the Potions Master's office. After a couple of minutes of mental preparation he firmly knocked on the heavy cedar door.

After a minute or two of firm knocking the door furiously swung open to reveal a very aggravated professor Snape.

"Potter," He spat.

"Professor, I need to speak with you," Harry said in a desperate tone. The professor looked oddly at the Gryffindor before nodding and ushering Harry into his office shutting the door behind him.

"So Mr. Potter, to what do I owe the displeasure of seeing your face outside of my potions class?" Snape said in a very sarcastic tone as he sat down at his desk.

"It's about Draco..." Harry sighed before continuing, "every time he gets summoned he comes back hurt. Last week he came back with a gash on his face and today... today he's holding his ribs and wheezing, I just thought you might know what's going on," Harry finished in a desperate tone, as he started to pace the professor's office.

"I'm sorry Potter but I don't have the faintest idea to what you are talking about, Draco looked absolutely fine at the feast. Perhaps you are imagining things," the professor said not even looking up from the stack of parchments he was reading.

"Fine! Don't tell me, but I know something's going on... and I'm going to find out!" Harry finished with a huff and stormed out of the Potions Master's office slamming the door behind him.

As soon as Harry slammed the door Professor Snape looked up from the stack of parchment and sighed. "If you only knew Potter... if you only knew." The professor shook his head and continued to read the parchments.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry didn't sleep a wink that night; he had too much to think about. As he was sitting in the Great Hall nodding off into his bowl of porridge Hermione sat down across from him and gave Ron a concerned look, he nodded.

"Hey mate," Ron said as he shook Harry to wake him up. "You look like shit... did you sleep at all last night."

"Not really... I guess it's all the excitement of our first classes today," Harry lied as he looked at his schedule. Hermione sighed, catching Harry's awful lie. Ron just shrugged it off and looked down at his schedule.

"Bloody hell... why do we always have double potions with the Slytherins on the first day of lessons?" Ron scowled as he attached his eggs and bacon.

"Double potions... perfect," Harry whispered to himself, allowing a slight smile to escape.

"What was that Harry?" Hermione said in a sweet voice.

"Huh... oh, nothing... I just... forgot my wand in the dorm, I'll meet you there." Harry finished with a grin as he got up and left.

"Alright Harry, we'll save you a seat!" Hermione shouted after him, but it was too late

Harry was already out the door.

"What's gotten into him?" Ron said with a mouth full of food.

Hermione made a face of disgust, "I have a feeling it has something to do with 'you know who'," Hermione said in a low whisper.

"You mean V-V... The Dark Lord? Do you think he's having dreams again?" Ron finally finished, in a stuttered whisper.

"NO," Hermione said rather loudly. When the whole Gryffindor table turned to see what was going on she lowered her voice and huddled closer to Ron. "No, I mean Draco."

"Oh..." Was all Ron could say before Neville came over and sat down next to Hermione; they chatted until it was time to leave for potions.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry arrived in potions five minutes early. Just as he pushed open the door to the potions classroom he saw exactly who he was looking for... Draco.

"Hi," Harry said hesitantly as he walked to where Draco was sitting.

"Harry," Draco said with a smile as he got up and kissed Harry softly on the lips. Harry reluctantly returned the kiss.

As soon as they parted Harry opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Goyle who came barging through the heavy dungeon door. They jumped apart and Goyle looked questionably at the two before taking a seat next to Draco. Draco locked eyes with Harry for a second before Crabbe came bustling in. Harry broke the contact and took his usual seat at the back of the class.

After a few minutes the room was bustling with students. Harry turned to the door and saw Ron and Hermione walk in with Neville. Harry's two best friends took their normal seats on either side of him and Neville sat next to Seamus.

When everyone was settled and chatting merrily Snape burst through a door on the side of the classroom. "10 points from Gryffindor Mr. Finnigan, for laughing too loudly! It's disruptive to the class." Seamus snorted. "Today we're going to be brewing a Deflating Draught. Separate into partners and get to work." The class just stared at the Potions Master in silence. "NOW!" he yelled. The class separated into pairs and began their assignment.

Ron paired with Hermione, Seamus with Dean, Lavender with Parvati, Draco with Blaise Zabini, Crabbe with Goyle, Bulstrode with Nott; which left Harry with Neville or Pansy. Harry didn't really want to work with either; he liked Neville as a person but having him as a potions partner was just asking for disaster. But then again Neville was better than pug-faced Pansy Parkinson any day.

When the class was half way over Harry noticed Draco heading over to the supply closet, so Harry 'accidentally' spilled the bat bile.

"Sorry Neville, I'll go get some more out of the supply closet." Harry walked across the room into the closet. When he got there Draco had his back facing Harry. The Gryffindor smiled. He's so adorable...Merlin, would I like to bend him over right here and fuc... Harry focus, you know what you have to do. He mentally scolded himself.

"Malfoy," Harry said very nonchalantly as he walked into the closet to get the bat bile.

"Potter," Draco said and smiled.

"Listen, Draco... I need to talk to you. Meet me in our usual place at the usual time," Harry whispered into his lover's ear as he reached over the Slytherin's shoulder to grab the bat bile off the shelf. Draco just nodded and watched Harry walk out of the closet.

*~*~*~*~*~*~