Blast from the Past

Harry ran back to the Gryffindor common room, determined to grab a couple of his books and get back out before he could be interrupted by the mass of students heading to Hogsmeade. Luckily, it seemed that most everyone was still at breakfast. In the dorm room, he quickly gathered 'Safety in the Darkness', 'Rise of the Dark Arts', 'Dark Ones of the Ages' and 'Science of Power'. He had been amazed to find so much information on the Dark Arts just sitting there in the Restricted section, as if waiting for students to seek it out.

Just as Harry was placing these books in his bag and was about to leave, Ron came bursting into the room.

"There you are, Harry. We've been looking all over for you. Reckon I'll have to get myself a map to let me know where you are, much as you've been hiding from us these days. What gives?"

Harry was about to avoid the questions with an excuse about meeting Dumbledore when Hermione appeared in the doorway of the dorm, her eyes reflecting Ron's statements. He sighed inwardly, knowing this would not be an easy conversation, but one he would have to have eventually. He seriously doubted either of his friends would understand, but regardless of his plans or the need to keep them safe, he couldn't bring himself to turn his back on them completely. Perhaps if they turned their backs on him it would make things easier, but for now - well - he would just have to tell them the truth. Part of it, at least.

"Okay, sit down, both of you. I guess I do need to talk to you." Harry swung the door shut and locked it (good thing Hermione didn't notice that he forgot to use his wand) before sitting on the edge of his bed, facing the two people he could honestly say were his best friends ever. Ron seemed a bit surprised that he was agreeing to talk to them. Hermione seemed extremely relieved. It was the pure trust in her dark brown eyes that made Harry realize that he was definitely doing the right thing. She probably wouldn't agree, but that old Muggle phrase rang true in this situation; What she doesn't know, won't hurt her. As long as I know it Harry thought.

"All right, firstly, I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately. I've been doing a lot of extra studying and training - you know - for these battles with Voldemort. I wasn't in the Great Hall just now because I had an early breakfast and a meeting with Dumbledore about my dreams. I'm not going to Hogsmeade because I need to get some more rest, I wasn't able to sleep much last night, and because I need to keep training."

He looked from the sky blue eyes to the chocolate brown eyes, both pairs filled with concern, compassion and understanding. They have no idea how much I value their friendship. He hoped sincerely that he wasn't about to lose it. But, even if they don't want to be friends with me anymore, at least they'll be safe. I can live with that, anything, as long as they and Draco stay safe. Before his subconscious could begin adding to the list of those he needed to keep safe, he took a deep breath and started talking again.

"I guess you've noticed that I've improved in Defense Against the Dark Arts lately," he said.

"You hardly needed improvement in that class, Harry. You're a great wizard and you've defended yourself and many others against the Dark Arts over the last six years. Everyone knows that." The quiet tone of Hermione's voice only served to remind him how much things had changed. Everything but her faith in him.

"Thank you, but I can always use improvement. I've also improved in Potions. Snape informed me a few days ago, though I don't think he cared much to admit it, that I'm nearing the top of the class now. I can only attribute that to one person - Draco." He paused, wondering what type of reactions he was going to get. He knew that Ron hated Draco and his family and expected that to bring about the strongest of reactions. Because of this, he was looking at Ron and therefore missed the flash of pure rage and hatred on Hermione's face.

"What does that bloody prat have to do with this, Harry?" Both young men looked at Hermione in shock. She rarely got angry anymore, and she had never been one for cursing or name-calling.

"He's been helping me. We've been doing some extra work together for a long time and - well - we've also become friends."

Tears immediately began streaming down Hermione's face. Ron tried to put a comforting arm around his girlfriend, but was quickly pushed away as Hermione stood up to tower over the seated Harry. Her voice was low and steady, but undeniably filled with pain and rage. "You don't know what you are getting yourself into, Harry Potter. Malfoy will never be your friend. He's using you, gaining your trust and seducing you into darkness. I knew there was something wrong with the books you've been reading. I suspected someone was pulling you, convincing you somehow that the Dark Arts are good. It's not true, Harry. It'll never be true. If you're not careful, by the time you find out how wrong you are, it'll be too late. You could very well cause exactly what you're trying to prevent. As for Malfoy - I'll just say -" she paused, once again gathering her composure and steadying her breath.

She glanced from Harry to Ron, obviously seeking and needing the love that emanated from his eyes. Empowered by his love and support, she turned back to Harry. "Thanks to my capture and the Imperius curse, I know more about entertaining Narcissa Malfoy than anyone ought to. I've also seen the people they associate with. The same people, same families that Draco Malfoy associates with. You have no idea how lucky I am to be alive. I just hope that whatever you're up to isn't going to take my second chance away from me. If you ever, EVER, allow him or anything connected to him to hurt me, or Ron, or anyone else I love, so help me Harry Potter, you'll pay for it. You have no idea what that kind of torture can do to a person. I've changed. I'm still your friend, but I won't let you hurt me. And no matter what you say, I'll never trust a Malfoy."

With that, she turned and started out of the room, pausing at the door to look at Ron. "I need a few minutes. I'll be in my room when you're done here, okay?" Ron simply smiled and nodded. Once she had left and the door was closed again, Ron turned back to Harry.

"Sorry about that. She's a wild one, isn't she? I mean, I knew she didn't like - well - that's not important. Tell me Harry, why do you think Malfoy's your friend?" He looked at his friend with pure trust and expected nothing but the truth. Harry was extremely grateful for that, but knew he couldn't give the whole truth. It would only make things worse.

"He just is. We started talking in one of our detentions and later he agreed to help me with some of my studies. I mean, who better to bring my marks up than the Head Boy, right? And we've just become friends. He's really not that bad. His mother's a pain and his father is wrapped around her little finger. He doesn't even like Crabbe and Goyle, and he despises Pansy Parkinson. Besides, Snape is a little more bearable now that Draco and I are friends." He paused, thinking back to what Hermione said. "Um, Ron? Do you think Hermione will calm down? I'd hate to lose her friendship just because of Draco."

"She's probably calm already. Nothing keeps her upset too long these days. Her emotions seem a lot different ever since - well -" Ron looked down at the floor, tears welling up in his eyes at the thoughts of what the love of his life had been forced to endure. "She's never told me if Draco was there, but I knew his parents were. It's just hard, Harry. She'll be okay, just don't expect her to spend any time around him."

"To be honest, I was expecting her to be the calm one and you to fly off the handle."

Ron smiled sadly, "Probably would have been right if this had happened a year or two ago. A lot's changed, though, Harry. People need friends. Hermione's right about one thing, you're a powerful wizard. Reckon you're as powerful as all our teachers, more than some. You know things, I've seen it. If you know you can trust Malfoy, well, I guess I have to accept that. I should get going, though. 'Mione'll be waiting. You want anything from Hogsmeade?"

"Nah, I'll be all right. Thanks Ron."

"What are best friends for?" He smiled as cheerfully as possible and went to check on Hermione, leaving Harry to finish gathering his things. Just to avoid further trouble, Harry put his bag under his school robes and decided to walk invisibly to Draco's room.

~*~*~*~*~*~

HARRY's POV

I walked quietly through the portrait hole, reappeared, and put my bag down in the armchair I remembered so well from my last visit to this room. Draco really should change the password. I can't believe he kept it this long. I looked around the room, finally realizing that he was sound asleep in the bed. Without another thought, I shrugged out of my robe and shoes and climbed into the bed behind my new boyfriend. I couldn't help but smile at the happy noises that came from Draco's throat when I wrapped my arms around him. I smiled even more at the slightly feral moan I got in response to kissing the back of Draco's neck. I refrained from doing anything else that might wake him up, simply because I knew that we both needed to sleep. I curled up closer behind him, enjoying the warmth and the feeling of belonging, and I fell asleep.

I remember waking up. It was that point where you're awake, but not completely conscious yet. I was so very comfortable and warm that I didn't want to open my eyes. I was afraid that if I did, something in this dream world would disappear and I would be cold and lonely again. I finally realized that I was feeling arms around me. There was a weight on my right leg. There was a hand on my back. I knew it was a hand because I could feel the fingers when it occasionally brushed through the hair at the nape of my neck. That hand kept rubbing my back, up and down, in long strokes then little circles and finally trailed back up to my hair. When the fingers tangled in my hair and gently pulled on a handful of it, I gasped. I must be a freak of some sort, because I know hair-pulling is supposed to be a bad thing, but it felt SO good. Before I had time to think about it any further, there was a velvety brush across my open lips and then I was brought to complete consciousness with the realization that Draco was kissing me again.

Oh, if only I could wake up like that every day for the rest of my life, nothing would ever go wrong again. I kissed him with every bit of emotion I had. Not only the love for him, the tingles that ran through my body at his touch, and the soaring happiness that came with being in his arms. I knew I was also kissing him with the need to belong, the frustration of seeing Hermione so upset earlier, the relief at Ron's understanding comments, the pain of the people who'd been lost, the fear that someone else would be hurt in this next attack. With everything I put into that kiss, I had one primary thought. I finally belong somewhere. I'm complete with Draco.

"Hey, sleepyhead." The smile in his eyes was heavenly to me. I recognized a doubtful, nagging voice in the back of my head telling me that it was too soon, too good to be true, too strange, too sudden, too dangerous. I refused to listen.

Damnit! I've been waiting for something to make me happy for seventeen years. I'm not going to let YOU destroy it now. I deserve this. I'm the Savior of the Wizarding World, for Merlin's sake. I have a right to a little joy in return for what's expected of me.

Once I was satisfied that the voice would be quiet, at least for the time being, I turned my focus once again to the incredibly edible looking Slytherin I was currently sharing a bed with. His eyes were sparkling and his hair was loose and tousled. I could just imagine the grimace if he could see his hair now, but it was such a cute image that I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, just the reaction I imagine you'll have when you see how unkempt your hair is." I quickly held onto him, so he couldn't get out of the bed and look in the mirror. "Don't you dare. You're not allowed to change a single strand of it. Not yet, at least."

"Oh?" He raised one eyebrow at me and smirked. It's amazing how different his smirk can look when it's not layered with hatred and insults. It's extremely sexy. "And how do you plan to keep me from it?"

"Like this," I said, grabbing a handful of the silken spun gold and pulling his face towards mine. Again, when our lips touched, the sensation was unbelievable. Molten fire running through my veins couldn't warm me like his kiss. I wondered if it would last forever or if this was a result of the newness of our relationship. I couldn't imagine a time when his touch wouldn't affect me, when his kiss wouldn't bring me to life in ways I never knew I needed. As I broke away from his mouth and pulled gently on the hair I was still holding, he arched his head back, revealing the perfectly porcelain skin of his throat. His subtle Adam's apple moved slightly as he swallowed, enticing me. I thrilled at the shudder that ran through his body when I circled his Adam's apple with my tongue.

Pushing gently, I rolled him over onto his back and followed so that I was lying halfway on top of him. Our legs were still slightly tangled from earlier, my left leg completely wrapped around and pinned underneath his left leg. I reached up slightly, planting gentle kisses across his eyes, down one cheek and finally sucking on his earlobe. As I marveled at the reaction this drew, I continued, licking and sucking at his neck, returning after a moment to the Adam's apple that started it. A couple of quick flicks across it and this time I was rewarded not only with another shudder and a gasp, but also with the realization that he was incredibly aroused. I moved one hand down to caress the arousal that was pressed against my hipbone, beginning to feel slightly frightened by the size of it. Though I had found a number of people attractive, and had found myself in the middle of a few sex dreams, I was utterly inexperienced. I'd never dated anyone and even my dreams weren't very detailed.

Fear of my own inadequacies brought my raging desires to a screaming halt. I simply lay there, gazing into Draco's eyes, recognizing the passion and the curiosity there.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I couldn't help but smile at that. He called me 'baby'. He looked so concerned, so interested in *me*. I tried with all my might to make that a confident smile, tried to fall back into the mindless excitement I'd been feeling. I looked at his hair, traced his jawline with my tongue, kissed his neck. It was working, I was beginning to forget how nervous I was - and then it happened.

I looked into his eyes again. Those liquidy diamond eyes that pulled me into their depths were filled with stormy gray clouds of passion. Through it all I could see silver sparks, like light reflecting off a mirror. "What is it?" he asked again. I knew then. I knew how much he loved me, and I knew that I was really in for a battle to keep him safe. The more immediate concern, however, was that I also knew he wouldn't let the answer to that question go unspoken.

"I'm... I was just..." I don't know why it was so difficult to say it. I'm nervous, I'm a virgin, I've never done this before, I don't want to disappoint you. I could think these things with ease, but admitting it to Draco, well, I was feeling like my face would blend in well with Ron's fiery red hair. Somehow, though, I suddenly didn't need to tell him. When he put his hand against the side of my face and his thumb brushed across my mouth, I just closed my eyes and leaned into the touch, reveling in the warmth I felt there. When I looked at him again, I saw understanding in those silver sparks.

"I know, Harry. I'm nervous too." I couldn't believe this, DRACO? Nervous?

"Why would you be nervous? You're the Slytherin Sex God! You've been praised throughout Hogwarts for at least two years!"

Oh, that smile. That smile and those eyes would be my undoing. Then I noticed something I hadn't seen at first. A pink tint on his cheeks. Draco was blushing!

"I've been called that, but I can only guess that it's based on my striking good looks," he said. I could tell he was trying to use his pompous, overly-sure-of-himself voice, but it was still a little too nice to sound like the old Malfoy. "As for being praised, I'm sure I haven't a clue what you're talking about."

I had to roll my eyes at that statement. "Please, even if no one else said a word, Pansy has told everyone who will listen, even Gryffindors, how amazing you are in bed! She's talked about your, erm... your skill, your...uh... stamina, hell, even your size!"

I knew, the moment I said it I knew that it was all a lie. Pansy didn't know the first thing about Draco in bed. I could tell by the look on his face alone. I could tell by the shocked thoughts that were emanating from his mind. I could tell by the hopeful expression in his eyes as he turned to tell me the truth.

"Harry, none of that is true. I mean, I don't know if it is, I don't have anything to base it on." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Harry, I'm a virgin."

I had to kiss him again. I've always heard the idealistic fantasy that sex should be saved for someone you truly love. It's mostly Muggles that talk about it. Actually it's not as big an issue in the Wizarding world as it is in the Muggle world. Some wizards live by it, though. I've always expected to. Being brought up as a Muggle does have a lasting effect. When I fell for Draco, I knew that whenever I decided to have sex, I wanted it to be with him. I never realized that it bothered me on some level that he'd already had sex - quite a bit of it by the rumors. I never thought about it until just then. When I realized how incredibly thrilled and honored I felt at the idea that he was just as innocent and inexperienced in this area as I was.

I broke our kiss when something triggered my mind to notify me that the hormones were on the loose again. "Dray, honey, we need to talk."

"'Bout what?"

"About this. I mean, we're both nervous. We just worked out some of our feelings yesterday. I hate to risk sounding like a girl here, but, maybe we should wait."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"No, I don't want to push you into anything."

"I don't, either. But if you want to wait... if WE are going to wait, then you'd better stop laying on me right now."

Laughing, I rolled off of him and closed my eyes. It was nice, just laying there with him, hearing him breath, knowing that he and I would someday share a very special first - together.

I think I'd almost fallen asleep again when he finally broke the silence.

"So, I've seen your disappearing act, I've witnessed the mind-reading and been the object of the wandless magic. The one thing you haven't said much about is the seeing."

"Not much to tell. It started over the summer, I thought it was probably a residual affect to those dreams I've been having for years."

"What dreams?"

"The link with Voldemort."

"The... what? You have a link with...with Voldemort?"

"Good grief, Draco, don't you EVER listen to gossip?"

"Not if I can help it. Gossip is far beneath a Malfoy."

"You know, you can put enough contempt into your voice to be convincing sometimes. It's kind of sexy, to tell you the truth."

"Oh, shut up and tell me about the dreams."

"I don't like talking about them much, but basically when Voldemort is active, I sometimes get dreams of what he's doing or planning. I started taking a potion for it last year because it got so bad."

"Dreamless sleep potion?"

"No, it's a new one, Snape and Pomfrey made it for me, created it for me. It doesn't stop the dreams, but I don't remember them as much and it lessens some of the other effects of the link."

"What kind of effects?" Draco pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me as if he wanted to protect me from my own answers. I took a deep breath and continued; amazed at the comfort I found there.

"The pain, the shakes, the nausea, the weak muscles, the ringing in my ears..."

"Harry?" His voice was so quiet. "Those are after affects of the Cruciatus Curse."

"I know. I often feel what his victims feel."

He held me closer, then. I calmed at the feeling of his lips moving across my forehead, tracing my scar. His hands rubbed my back in calming circles, his breath moving my hair slightly with every exhale.

Finally, I pulled back a bit and finished my explanation. "The dreams are much better, well, at least until last night. He's planning something big now. But I've already told people. It'll be all right. I don't think my seer skills are working anymore. Every time lately that I think I'm having a vision, it's you and my father. I'm probably just going nutters."

Draco lay there, holding me in silence for just a few moments, apparently thinking about what I'd just said. "Babe, just out of curiosity, and I sincerely hope I won't regret this question, but, just exactly WHAT are your father and I doing in these 'visions'?"

"Well, nothing spectacular. Talking to Dumbledore, practicing hexes and stuff, mostly just standing, talking, in different parts of the castle. Why?" When I looked into his face again and saw the relief plastered across it, the meaning of his question finally caught up with me. "EEEwwwwwwww!!!!!!!"

He just smiled at me. That smile that was almost his trademark Malfoy smirk, but had a real smile underneath it. "My thoughts exactly!"