The Alternative to Loneliness

Ch. 9

Stargazing and Seduction

Draco slowly came to himself, realizing that he had been standing in the same place for a full fifteen minutes. Merlin, but that kiss had been bloody fantastic! Even better than most of his imaginings! Harry's lips had been slightly rough and chapped, and he'd tasted of the cocoa that Draco had watched him have with breakfast.

He shivered deliciously at the memory. It had been perfect, oh so good.

The blond shook his head in bemusement. Well this was a good sign indeed! Harry had enjoyed that kiss, there was no denying it. Quite a bit, if Harry's...reaction had been any indication. There was no doubt. Clearly Harry was just put off by his feelings for Draco, just as he had tried to fight his feelings for Harry at first. If he just kept up with his charmingly reformed attitude, he'd have him for sure. It was only a matter of time.

Draco smirked in satisfaction and headed leisurely to lunch. Life was definitely taking a turn for the better. He'd have to plot some more, of course, to come up with something really clever to sweep Harry off his feet. He'd just have to keep showing Harry how much he cared. Blow Harry's mind with how romantic and loving he could be. Draco smiled contentedly.

Ironically, he owed Pansy the Cow and her infinite stupidity for affording him the chance to play the hero and impress Harry with his smooching skills. Not that he'd ever mention it to her, but it was an ironic twist of fate all the same.

And Malfoys are trained to appreciate irony in all its forms.

~*~^~*~

Harry stormed his way into the library, ignoring the death glare from Madam Pince and the flurry of whispers that seemed to accompany him everywhere these days.

Which was all Dr--Malfoy's fault, Harry thought sourly. Ever since that debacle in the Hall, all the students and, indeed, most of the faculty, had been waiting to see if Harry would accept Draco. Or, on the flipside, if Draco would get tired of his spurned lover routine and blast Harry into oblivion. Neither of which seemed likely at this point, but Harry realized that nothing much surprised him these days.

He finally found Hermione in the Astronomy section, books piled five and six deep all around her. Harry slid into the seat across from her and moved a bulky star chart out of the way.

"Oh, hi Harry," Hermione said distractedly. Her hair, which had been pulled back, was falling into her face in small tendrils. She pushed them back impatiently. "If you're looking for help, you have to at least try on your own first. And you can't copy."

Harry grinned a little. "I'm not looking for that kind of help."

Hermione looked up. "What is it, then? Is Colin bothering you again?"

Harry shook his head. "No. He won't come near me actually. Not that I mind." He looked around and lowered his voice. "It's Draco."

Hermione mentally grinned, but merely asked mildly, "When did he become Draco, then?"

Harry flushed and avoided her eyes. "He's not. But he's driving me crazy! He helped me in Potions and then kept Pansy Parkinson from attempting to maim me!"

Hermione looked like she was trying very hard not to laugh. "Is that so bad? It seems fairly positive to me."

Harry was peeved. "It's not positive! He's playing with me and I hate it! I don't need his help and I don't like him. He's a spoiled rich kid whose bought his way into school and Quidditch, not to mention a wannabe Death Eater whose dad wanted to kill me. He's never done anything nice for anyone!"

Even as Harry said it, Draco's words floated unbidden into his mind. My father was a disgrace...The Dark Lord is a lunatic. He pushed this roughly from his mind.

Hermione was staring at him seriously. "Harry," she said finally. "Do you know who's second in our class, behind me, in lessons?"

Harry was surprised. "I don't know. Padma Patil? Some Ravenclaw?"

Hermione shook her head. "Draco Malfoy."

Harry was dumbfounded. "In every subject?"

"No," Hermione said thoughtfully. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "He's better than me at Potions," she admitted.

Harry glowered. "I imagine Snape playing favourites for his prodigy has something to do with that."

Hermione shook her head again. "Have you ever watched him in class?"

He snorted. "Only if he's lobbed something in my cauldron."

"Well, he doesn't pay attention at all, yet he still makes impeccable potions. That means he's already mastered the curriculum and is ahead of the class."

Harry gaped at her. "Is that true?"

She nodded. "And no amount of money or influence can buy off Professors like McGonagall and Flitwick, so obviously he's not lacking in intelligence."

Harry pondered this. "Alright," he said grudgingly. "So he's smart then. But that doesn't mean he's not supporting the Death Eaters. Or change the fact that he's hated me since we met."

"People change, Harry," Hermione said simply. "He's just lost his family and he's alone for the first time in his life. He was raised to uphold certain ideals and had a very strange set of values instilled in him. Now that he's on his own, he may start to make his own way. Don't judge him too harshly. He was acting the way he was taught to. He may decide to take his life in his own hands. He might surprise you."

There was a pregnant pause. Then Harry leaned forward and whispered, "There's something else, too."

She looked interested. "Oh? What?"

Harry's face burned. "He...he kissed me."

"Did you like it?" she asked eagerly, intrigued.

He looked despairing. "That's the awful part. I did." He paused, then muttered, "A lot."

"There's nothing wrong with that, Harry," Hermione said with a gentle smile.

He squeezed his eyes shut. "Yes there is, Mione! He's Draco Malfoy! What would Ron say? Sirius, if he were here? What would my mum and dad think?"

Hermione leant forward and took his hand reassuringly. "I think all those people want for you to be happy, and if Malfoy ends up making you happy, there won't be an issue." She paused. "Besides, wasn't it nice?"

Harry remembered with absolute clarity the citrus tang of Draco's aftershave, the softness of his mouth, the slight orangey taste of his kiss. He thought of the gentleness of Draco's hands, how they ran up and down his sides before coming to rest softly on either side of his neck. He felt his face heat up and nodded.

Hermione smiled. "Well then. I'm sure you'll puzzle it out. But don't forget, your astronomy project is due and you haven't done your observation yet."

He sighed. "Oh yeah. I'll go with Ron tonight."

Hermione turned pink. "Ron went with me last night."

"Right." Harry grinned. "I'll go by myself and leave you lovebirds to your own devices."

Hermione flushed darker and Harry laughed.

~*~^~*~

It was bloody freezing, Harry thought, blowing on his hands and wishing he'd thought to bring gloves. It was past midnight and the Astronomy Tower was covered in a fine sheen of ice. Harry looked down at his assignment; he had to plot the exact location of certain stars on a chart. He pulled out the list and hunkered down to conserve heat.

"Okay," he mumbled. "Arcturus and Polaris are in Ursa Major."

He worked in silence for a while, but didn't get very far, as he'd left his book in his trunk.

"Damn it," he muttered. "Where the hell are Nashira and Miram?"

"Nashira is in the constellation Capricorn," a soft voice by his ear said.

Harry jumped a mile, to find Draco, looking impeccable in a tailored charcoal coloured coat and dark slacks. An emerald scarf was slung around his neck.

"What are you doing up here?" Harry blurted out, trying to slow his racing heart.

Draco shrugged elegantly. "I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. I come here to think sometimes."

There was a pause. Harry felt he should say something cutting, but nothing came to mind. Draco broke the silence by asking, "Do you want help with that?"

Harry eyed him suspiciously. At least he'd get it done sooner so he could get to bed.

"Okay," he muttered, sitting back down.

Draco joined him. "Nashira is there, in Capricorn. And Miram is in Pereus, there." He smiled faintly. "Next to the constellation Draco."

Harry looked at him briefly. "Your mum keep up the Black family tradition of naming kids after stars?"

Draco looked surprised. "How'd you know that?"

Harry stared at the ground. "Sirius told me."

The blond Slytherin was quiet for a minute, then took Harry's hand and lifted it towards the night sky. Harry stared at their hands, then at Draco's face. The blond looked back, eye unreadable. Then he looked skyward again.

"There," Draco said softly. "Sirius. The brightest star in the sky."

They sat there for a moment, and then Draco moved their joined hands. "Orion; that was Sirius' father. Andromeda. Bellatrix, his cousins. Cygnus, his uncle. You can't see Regulus this time of year. It's in Leo." He paused and moved their hands once more. "Draco."

He traced the outline of the heavenly dragon, then lowered their hands. He was pleased to see that Harry didn't pull away. Harry was staring at the sky. He shivered a little.

Draco frowned. "Don't you have a warmer coat than this?"

Harry shook his head ruefully. "I keep forgetting to buy a new one."

Draco shuddered at the very idea and eyed Harry critically, who shifted uncomfortably, suddenly very aware of their clasped hands. Draco pulled out his wand and before Harry could react, muttered a spell.

"Malfoy!" Harry yelped. "What're you..." He paused, feeling warmer, and looked down. His old threadbare coat, which had once belonged to Dudley, had become a smart black pea coat.

Draco tugged at the lapels. "Well, it's not Armani, but it will have to do. It's wool lined with down, so you'll be more comfortable." Draco smiled charmingly and slid his scarf around Harry's neck. "It suits you," he whispered.

Harry suddenly realized how close they were and gulped. The air between them seemed much hotter now.

"Do you like it, Harry?" Draco asked quietly. Harry nodded, his eyes on Draco's lips as he formed the words.

Draco shifted closer. "Harry," he breathed and closed his eyes.

Harry couldn't stand it any longer. He leaned forward and his lips touched Draco's. The blond melted into the kiss, threading his hand through Harry's messy dark hair, pulling him closer. His lips parted with a sigh.

Harry was blissfully amazed. These sensations, were incredible. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. Draco felt so good, tasted so good. And then Harry realized that the Slytherin's mouth was moving over his face: kissing down his jaw line, dotting each eyelid, sucking his earlobe into the blond's mouth. Harry gasped.

"Oh Harry," Draco practically purred between kisses. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this. To hold you and kiss you like this." He sighed. "Oh so long, Harry."

Draco had unbuttoned the dark haired boy's coat and was sucking on Harry's neck. The Gryffindor hissed in pleasure, digging his fingernails into the expensive fabric of Draco's jacket. Merlin, but this felt good. Then Draco's mouth was on his again and all thoughts fled.

Draco gave Harry one last soft kiss and then pulled away. Harry made a sound of protest, but Draco placed a slender finger against his lips. "I love you," he said seriously, "and I'm not going any farther until you ask me to."

He pecked Harry on the lips once more and stood. "Don't stay out here in the cold too long," he said, heading for the door. He paused before opening it and turned back. "Keep the scarf," he smiled, a trace of his old smirk just visible.

And then he was gone, leaving an aroused and befuddled Harry Potter in his wake.