Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Behind Green Eyes ❯ All Twisted Up ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

REVISED CHAPTER!!! Things get a little steamy during a game and a little angsty when more is learned about Harry. Training with Snape leads to yet another bathroom scene with interesting results and sexual tension that a blind person(no offense) could see.

Non Anime: Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 03.18.2007 | Updated On: 03.29.2008 | Pages: 37 | Words: 32.5K | Visits: 1.4K | Status: Work In Progress

Behind Green Eyes

Disclaimer: I don't own H.P. nor any characters. If I did, the story line would probably be a little different, so yeah. I'm not making any money off of this story nor do I plan to try.

Chapter Two: All Twisted Up

An hour passed. The tale took considerably longer due to many interruptions from inserted questions and comments (all of which were rather violent towards his pathetic excuse of an aunt, uncle, and cousin, as well as Dumbledore, Voldemort, the Minster, the Ministry itself, and several children from all four of the houses). Harry glossed over his time with the Dursleys, just stating it was horrible. He didn't want his relatives killed, and he was sure if he mentioned even half of what had happened, his relatives wouldn't live to see the next day. By the time he finished, his eyes were drooping and he was leaning against Draco with the blond's arm around his waist to keep him upright.

“Go to bed, Harry,” Salazar finally said. “You've given us much to think about. When we have something to tell you, we'll send word. And don't worry; we can reach you without Dumbledore finding us.”

Yawning, eyes blinking sleepily, Harry nodded. Standing up, he leaned against Draco, relishing the feel of the blond's hand on his waist. “I'll visit soon. I haven't asked any questions that I wanted to.”

“Read my journal and then come with your questions. No matter what, be here on Halloween. You'll need help with your transformation. Draco may accompany you if you like.”

Nodding absently, Harry followed as Draco led him towards the door. As he touched the handle, they appeared back in the Room of Requirement. Smiling slightly, he closed his eyes, finally falling into a restful sleep, locked in the blond's embrace.

Silver eyes gleamed in suppressed happiness. Draco couldn't help but be pleased that his rival trusted him enough to fall asleep in his arms, trusting him to put him back to bed. He picked up the teen, gently setting him onto the bed before joining him, arms wrapped around the raven-haired innocent. He found himself falling asleep, lulled by the warm breath that puffed against his neck.

The sun shone brightly through an impossible window. Silver eyes slowly opened, the owner groaning as the bright light blinded him for a moment. He ducked his head down, instinctively searching for a dark place. He was jolted awake by the realization that the dungeon bedroom he lived in had no windows. Hissing as the overly cheery light stung his eyes, he sat up, looking around in confusion until he remembered what had happened the night before. Glancing at the bed, he was surprised and un-admittedly disappointed to find it empty. Grumbling in annoyance, he stood up and moved to the door, opening it to reveal Harry curled up in an oversized comfy chair with the journal on his lap. Severus was nearby, writing down what the black-haired teen was saying, though he appeared to be in shock.

Morning, Draco, Harry hissed in Parseltongue. Realizing what he had said, he looked up, relieved to see the blond merely looked confused. “I said `morning', Malfoy.”

“Morning, Potter.” Surprisingly enough, Draco's words were said sincerely and without malice. His tone obviously affected the Gryffindor who smiled brightly. “So, what's it say?”

“I've only gotten to the part about the vault. Snape's been a little…distracted by what I'm telling him.”

“You mean about last night? Like how Salazar was actually a pretty nice guy who actually had a soft side and was pretty good looking?”

“Um, no. I actually hadn't told him about the Chamber yet.” For some reason, Harry blushed brightly. “He was just stunned by the fact that I'm really related to them and that I get everything.”

“He inherits Hogwarts—why wouldn't I be shocked? He could have anyone here fired, banished. I'm just surprised to still be here,” Snape said quietly. “I've done enough to make him hate me.”

“And I do. Have the power, that is.”

“But he has done nothing to get revenge.”

“He wouldn't, now would he? It's not in him to really, truly wish harm to someone.”

“I do so, just not anyone at Hogwarts. And stop talking about me like I'm not here.” Harry pouted, drawing Draco's attention to his wonderfully cute rival. “Come on, let's get some breakfast.” Three trays appeared, one on Harry's lap, the second on a table next to the Potions master, and the last on a second overstuffed armchair for Draco. Surprisingly enough, Harry's tray had the most food on it and apparently he wasn't happy about it. “Stupid room…” Harry mumbled, glaring at the tray filled with too much food.

“So, why hasn't a door appeared yet?”

“So eager to get away from me already, Malfoy?” He couldn't deny the pang of hurt that pulsed through him, though he didn't show it.

“There's only so much time I can spend with a Gryffindor before I start turning into one.” Light pink lips quirked into a smirk to show he was joking.

“There's not much I can do about the lack of a door. The room likes to be temperamental. It goes against me when it thinks it's doing something for my own good.”

“So keeping you in here with your least favorite professor and biggest enemy at school is for your own good? I'm beginning to think this room is sadistic.” As if to agree, a whip appeared at the blond's feet, as well as a collar near Harry, courtesy of the room. Both blushed deeply at the implications.

“Eat, you two. There's a lot we have to do today, and since we're stuck here, we're going to do a lot of talking.”

“I don't second that. I'm in favor of doing absolutely nothing. I just want to eat, sleep, and be completely lazy,” the blond said, not realizing he was pouting.

“Now that, I agree with.” Harry looked up from his slowly decreasing mound of food. “I'll read this journal, but beyond that, I'll do nothing. I finished my homework and I planned on taking this weekend to relax. Just because you're here does not mean you can order me around.”

Seeing how stubborn both teens were being, Snape gave in, but only partially. “Today you two can be sloths. Tomorrow, we actually have work to do. We have to know what to expect on Halloween.”

“I'll be down in the Chamber anyway, so why does it matter? Nothing's supposed to happen until then, and you're both allowed to be there. Well, at least Malfoy is.”

“No, this is where I put a stop to it. I'll be there or so help me, you'll leave for your transformation. There can't be any chances taken with a school full of children. What if you lose your mind during the change? No, I'll be there for this.”

“Fine. Besides, I'm sure Salazar and Godric would love to meet the teacher who has tormented me since I started here all because of some grudge against my father.”

“Grudge or no, I'll be with the both of you in the Chamber on Halloween.”

“Fine, fine. Malfoy, will you still be there as well?”

“Of course, can't give up the chance to see you possibly lose your cool. Besides, what if you turn hideous? I'd like to see your overly perfect appearance change.” Even though he meant next to nothing he had said, he was serious about one thing. Harry's looks were positively godlike. He was perfection and seemed completely oblivious to the stares from anyone with working hormones.

“Ha ha, if I change into something hideous, it'll still be nothing compared to how you look now.” His face was still bright red from the reference Malfoy had made about his looks. He hadn't meant what he said, though, and he was sure Draco knew this. The blond was eye candy. His skin was a perfect, pale expanse that really was as soft as it looked. He had found that out first-hand last night after he had awoken from his nightmare. He flushed deeper at the feelings that had come over him while in the blond's strong arms. Draco was stronger than he looked and Harry had just wanted to be carried away in the muscled arms he had felt so safe in. Not really understanding what he was feeling, he shook the emotions away to be looked at and examined at a later time, when the object of his thoughts wasn't right in front of him. And still shirtless. Yelling at himself for having such ideas about his enemy, he tried to focus on something other than the pale, exposed, muscled, delicious-looking chest the blond was showing off.

The Potions master rolled his eyes. The sexual tension that was beginning to build was annoying. He mentally cursed the room for locking him in with two hormonal teenagers. “You two could stop staring at each other long enough to translate the journal. Then again, that's just my opinion.” Had he been the type, he would have cackled as the pair turned away from each other, blushing furiously. “Once you do, please create—or whatever you do—a room with potions ingredients. I need to make a few things.”

Grumbling to himself about stupid Potions professors, Harry created an archway that led to a semi-dark room filled with more weird objects than even Snape had ever seen. The teens sniggered at the transfixed look on their teacher's face. As the door shut behind the elder, the two young wizards burst out laughing.

“He's never going to leave—you do realize that, don't you?” Draco asked in an amused voice.

“Yes, meaning we should have tomorrow off if we can get the journal translated today.”

“But I don't want to. I want to curl up in an overstuffed armchair in front of a fireplace and daydream today away.”

“You can, but I promised Salazar I'd read his journal and if I'm going to read it, why not translate it at the same time and save myself the trouble of doing it later? Besides, all you have to do is sit there and listen. I actually have to translate. Charm a quill, then all you have to do is direct the stupid thing.”

“I don't wanna.”

“Fine. Be a prat. See if I care.” Huffing in annoyance, he picked up the journal and stomped to his room, slamming the door shut behind him. And he thought the blond Slytherin was actually a decent person when he wanted to be, but no, he was still a selfish prat. Glaring at nothing, he realized he wasn't as angry with the blond as he was with himself. Harry found himself wanting to be near the other teen for some reason and he didn't like it. He didn't want to feel like he needed to be with the Slytherin and yet, he couldn't seem to help it. The teen had appeared to have changed, but it was obvious he really hadn't. He willed the door away and locked himself in his room. Grabbing a notebook and a pencil, he jumped into the beanbag that had appeared in the corner. “Stupid prat,” he muttered, opening the journal. He barely felt the twinge of pain in his hand as the pages began to fill with the beautiful script he was becoming very partial to.

The door through the arch opened, allowing an amazed to Snape exit. “That room is amazing. There are some things in there even I can't get. Where'd he go?” Snape noticed one of the room's occupants was missing, leaving the blond alone in his chair.

“He's pouting in his room.”

Snape couldn't help but think the brunet wasn't the only one pouting. “Why?”

“Cause I didn't want to translate the journal right now. We still have tomorrow, and I just wanted to laze around until then.”

“So you basically said that sleeping is more important than helping him understand his history and what's going to be happening to him?”

Feeling more and more like the prat he had been accused of being, he shot back angrily, “What about you, going off to make potions at a time when you, as his teacher, should be helping him?”

“Did you ever stop to consider the potions I plan on making are for him? We don't know what to expect, so I wanted to make a few potions just in case. Now will you shut up and either fix the mess you made or stay out of his way and mine. He doesn't need you giving him mixed signals about whether you care about what he's going through or not.” Glaring reproachfully, he walked over to the blank wall that Harry stayed hidden behind. Feeling kind of stupid, he knocked on the wall, surprised when `Go away' appeared on the wall. “Stop pouting and open up. I need to talk to you.”

`I don't wanna talk.'

“We need to.”

`Can't it wait until tomorrow?'

“No, now create a door or something.” No door appeared, but he felt the world twist around him before he found himself on the other side of the wall. “You realize you're pouting, don't you?”

“Don't care,” came the sullen answer from one of the corners. “I can pout if I want to.” He was being petulant and he really couldn't care less.

“He doesn't know how to act around his so called-friends, let alone someone new.”

“I don't care. Draco can do what he wants.” Harry didn't realize he had slipped up.

“Since when is he Draco?” Snape asked, stepping towards the teen.

“Since I don't care.” Harry finally looked up from his notebook, appearing worn out and depressed. “What do you want anyway?”

“We need to talk.”

“You said that. What about?”

“What I saw. What happened to you during the summers?”

“It doesn't matter. I don't have to go back. It's over.” Harry didn't want to talk about what had happened. It brought everything back to the front.

“It does matter. Like it or not, I'm actually here and you can talk to me.”

“I don't want to talk about it. I don't need to.”

“Tell me, or I'll tell the founders.”

“I can't do it! It's hard enough knowing it happened, not being able to forget. I can't talk about it. It just makes everything come back. I relive it enough in my nightmares. I don't need to do so when I'm awake. I've dealt and I'm dealing with it in my own way. I'm not going to kill them. I'm not going to kill myself. As far as I'm concerned, I'm as normal as I can be after something like that.”

“No one would be okay after that. Talking about it will help. I know.”

“Unless you've been through something like this, you can't know.”

“I know.” He let his words sink in before continuing. “I didn't want to talk it, even thinking about it hurt. Finally, I talked to someone. I didn't want to, but they probed my mind with Legilimency. They confronted me and wouldn't leave me alone until I talked about it. I never admitted to it, but talking to him helped me get over it.”

Curiosity piqued, Harry tried to sound normal. “Who was it?”

“Nope, I'll tell you when you decided to talk. I do believe it would surprise you, though.” Looking to the corner surreptitiously, he found the teen slouched over his notebook, appearing to study his notes with no intention of saying a word. Sighing, he turned to leave, thinking it was too early to ask for his forgiveness and trust.

“It started when I was five. Before that, I was ignored. At that time, I would have given anything for some of their attention. I saw Dudley, their pride and joy, being showered with love and affection and I wanted that. At five, I got my wish for attention. My birthday surprise was a verbal attack. It started tame, and then just kept getting worse. At seven, my present was my first beating. I hadn't woken up early enough to make breakfast, so Vernon decided to wake me up his way. That first time, he broke my arm and gave me a bloody nose. The only reason I got to go to the hospital was because of the blood. My nose wouldn't stop and they didn't want a mess. I spent three days in the hospital. It was the best time since before my fifth birthday and the best time until I arrived here.” Harry grew quiet, glancing back down at his notebook as he wrote the next few sentences down.

“The day my letter came from Hogwarts was the worst of my life. I was almost eleven when I received the letter in the mail. Vernon took one look at it before grabbing it and ripping it up. He told my aunt to take Dudley out and then he turned on me. I thought it was going to be another beating, nothing new. Whipping didn't bother me anymore and I think he knew it. I think that's why my life got worse and went straight to hell after that. Do I have to go on?”

“Not today. You've said most of it. We'll go on from there after you've had a chance to relax.”

Blank emerald eyes sparkled slightly with curiosity. “So, who was it?”

“Translate as much as you can. And don't be too hard on my godson. He's trying, but really has no idea what he's doing.” He walked back to where he had come in before turning to finish. “Your father.” Giving a ghost of a smile, he felt the twist and found himself back in the main room.

Sighing, he glanced around for his student, finding him pacing in front of the fireplace. Silver eyes darted to where he had appeared before going back to watching the floor as he paced.

“He's not too mad, you know.”

“I don't care.”

“He said the same thing. You're both just stubborn and pouting. Like it or not, you hurt him with your refusal to help.”

“So what? I never said I'd help him with anything.”

“He expects it of his friends.”

“Since when are we friends?”

“Since you helped him with his nightmare. Since he opened up to you and actually talked to you. Since he took you down to the Chamber, one of his few places of refuge from the rest of the world. Face it, he considers you a friend, and as such, you have a duty to be there for him. If you haven't noticed, he and the other members of the Golden Trio haven't been seen together since last year. He has virtually no one.”

“You can`t blame him for ditching those two. The Weasel was using him for popularity, and the Mudblood was stealing his magic.”

“That would explain why the magical aura around him got smaller after first year. Granger was stealing the excess.”

“You noticed the aura around him? How?”

“It's just another trick you'll need to learn. We'll have to start training the both of you.”

“Why me?”

“You don't agree with the Dark Lord and now you're standing with Potter. You'll be seen as an enemy and be killed. I'd rather not lose my only godson to that madman.” He sighed in relief when the blond nodded his agreement. “Now, speaking as your teacher, you have homework.”

“No, I don't. I finished that already.”

“Think of it as extra credit.” He gave his godson a push towards Harry's room before turning to his own temporary haven. “And don't screw it up this time. I can't keep fixing your messes.”

“Hey!” Draco shouted indignantly at the Potions master before he stepped to the wall keeping him and Harry apart. “I resent that.”

“Sure you do, now get to work,” said Snape, before the door shut behind him.

“Yeah, yeah.” He was glad his godfather had shut the door. He didn't want him hearing if he crashed and burned with his rival. “Potter?”

`Go away and stay there. You're obviously too busy for me,' appeared written on the wall.

“Quit pouting. You're acting childish.”

`Don't care.'

“I refuse to apologize to a wall, you know.”

`You don't apologize. Besides, I'm not worth your time anyway, obviously.'

“Now you're being dramatic. Who said you weren't worth my time?”

`You insinuated it when you said you'd rather sleep than help me.'

“Neither of us got much sleep last night. Forgive me for wanting to relax before everything gets turned upside down.”

`Your world's gonna get turned upside down?' The blond felt a twist of magic around him. “What about my world? Why can't someone actually care rather than pretend to? I'm going to transform and you're worried about a little problem.”

“Got you to open up anyway. Look, I do care what happens and that's not something I'd easily admit to. I'm sorry for being a prat, but I have nothing else to go by. This is how I've always acted and now you've come in and aren't what I thought you were like and it's throwing everything off for me. I don't know how to act.”

“I'm sorry too. I'm used to having friends, or rather, so-called friends. I know how to act so I don't hurt someone unintentionally. I guess that's something you've never had to learn.”

“Yeah, well, we both messed up. We'll work on it.”

“Why are you here, anyway? Not to sound rude or anything, but you're not the type to visit someone for no reason.”

“I wanted to apologize and to help you out. I know this has to be hard on you…”

“Snape told you to?”

“No, he told me to do my homework.” Draco tried to deny the truth without lying. “So, where are you in translating?” he asked, moving towards the corner housing the green-eyed boy.

“Not far. Snape interrupted me and then gave me something else to think about.”

Not wanting to pry, Draco avoided asking any questions. “All right, let's get to work. There's a lot we have to read and we only have today.”

“We have a lot to read?”

“Okay, you have a lot to read.”

“Why don't we have tomorrow?”

“Severus wants us to start training as soon as possible. Oh, and he probably wants to kill Weasel and Granger right now.”

“You told him?”

“He noticed on his own. He could see your aura around you.”

“No wonder he looked at me weird for a while. I'd wondered. Can you see it?”

“No, can you?”

“Yes.”

By this time, Draco had made his way to the corner and was standing next to the beanbag chair. “So what's mine look like?”

“It's white, white with red, silver, green, and black threads shifting through it.”

“Do you know what the colors mean?”

“White is for purity, innocence for lack of a better word. Red is for fire. You have the blood of an elemental in you. The green is for the same. The black is a hidden power that you haven't awoken yet. The silver is for death. You've seen it, but your hands have no blood on them. That's why you have white as the dominant color. You don't have it in you to kill, nor to hate.”

“I hate the Weasel and Mudblood. How do you know what the colors mean?”

“That's something else that comes with it. It's an ingrained knowledge on seeing what people are really like inside.”

“It is like reading minds?”

“Kind of.” Harry motioned to a second beanbag chair that had appeared. “It's more. I know if someone is really as evil as they act or if they're two-faced liars who aren't really who they've acted like for years. I only learned how to control this towards the end of last year.”

“So that's why you ditched the Gryffindors?”

“They're selfish and only do things for themselves. Slytherin actually would have been the best home for me. They actually have a lot of white. Only one or two have completely black auras, showing they've killed and only three have gray, proving they can or want to kill. Most of the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs have a pale gray, showing they're capable of killing and have actually thought seriously about it.”

“Who would have thought the Gryffindors would be so wrong? So who has the most white?”

“You and Blaise. He's actually really sweet once you get past his image. He's a romantic at heart.”

“And me?”

“I never looked past the upper aura. It feels like I'm reading a diary. I can learn who a person really is, but some people have reasons for how they act. I actually think it's possible to see emotions in the aura, not the magical one of course. I think it's past the inner aura, but once I turn it on, I'm pretty sure I won't be able to turn it off. But I think it's for each individual person. I was trying one night and I think I turned on Ron's emotional aura. I'm not sure, considering it's red all the time.”

“Try it with me. I don't live in a constant haze of anger.”

“It's still an invasion of privacy. I'm not comfortable doing that until we…um, get along better. Shouldn't we get started? I would like a chance to just relax and enjoy my weekend. If we get done, we can spend time talking and…er, bonding?”

Hesitating only a moment, Draco replied, “Let's do it then. Give me that and read to me.” He grabbed the notebook and pen, and then looked up expectantly.

“Umm, yeah…” Smiling to himself, Harry started reading, softly hissing to himself before reading it out in English to the blond. They passed the rest of the morning peacefully, only speaking when Draco hadn't heard a few words. They finally stopped for a quick lunch three hours after they started before going back to work. They took breaks in between translating to joke around to lighten the mood. They eventually lost focus completely, deciding they had translated enough for one day, and started talking about random things.

“What?”

“Twister. It's a Muggle game.”

“That explains why I don't know it.”

“It deals with flexibility and coordination. Oh, and stamina. The last one standing wins. Wanna play?”

“A chance to beat you, heck yeah.”

“I don't know. I'm pretty flexible. And I don't have problems playing dirty.”

“Neither do I. Let's do it.”

A simple mat with colored dots appeared. Instead of the traditional board, the mat was the same size, but the colors were all mixed up, setting the two up for a very interesting game.

“So…?”

“So, we need a spinner.” Instead of a spinner, a voice sounded in the room.

`Right foot, yellow.'

“Now what?”

“Just follow the directions.”

`Left foot red.'

“Is that all?”

`Right hand red.'

“It'll get worse.”

`Right hand green. Left foot yellow. Left hand green.'

Already, the two were in positions strange enough to raise eyebrows. Both were facing up, one of Harry's arms laced through Draco's while one of the blond's legs crossed over and was draped between two tan, muscled thighs.

“Well, twisted enough?”

“Not even close. If this is the best you can do, you're going down, Potter.”

“You wish.”

`Right foot blue. Right hand blue. Left hand green.'

“Why does it repeat things? Our hands were already on green.”

“It's random. But what do you say we take things up?” Colors began changing all around them. Red, blue, green, and yellow dots were changed into pink, purple, black, and orange so the board was a combination of all eight colors. The only circles that remained their original color were the ones in use. “How's this?”

“Now we're getting somewhere.”

`Left hand pink. Right foot black. Left hand green. Left foot purple.'

Harry was now facing the ground, arms twisted in front of him. The blond wasn't much better off, positioned perpendicularly over the brunet's back, one leg bent so he was almost kneeing the teen in the crotch.

“Watch your knee. I'd rather not lose like that.”

“Well, watch your elbow.”

“You mean this?” Smirking, Harry bent his elbow just a little, almost knocking himself over in the process. “Is that better, Malfoy?” he asked sweetly.

“I swear to Merlin, Potter, if you don't - eep! - stop that, I'll let go and fall on you, meaning I'd win.”

“You wouldn't.” Smirk wavering a little, Harry's arm stopped moving.

“I would and you know it.”

“Killjoy.” Harry pouted, not that the blond could see.

`Right hand black. Left hand pink. Left hand green.'

The game continued, making the duo end up in a variety of positions, from simple to extremely complicated and from innocent to decidedly not so innocent and downright provocative. Finally, both boys were worn out and sweaty, neither wanting to lose. They eventually were stuck in a pose with Harry in a crabwalk-like position, Draco right above him so they were face to face.

“Give up, Malfoy. I'm an expert at this game.”

“No, you give up. I won't lose to you.”

Then the room decided on another intervention on behalf of the Heir.

`Head orange.'

“What?” both yelled out, wondering where the room had come up with that suggestion.

“Is that even possible?”

“It's your game.”

Neither spoke for a moment, both wondering what the other would do. They moved at the same time, heading for the same spot. As they reached the bright orange circle, they cracked heads, sending both falling to the ground with a yell, Harry beneath Draco with the blond situated between his legs.

“Ow, that hurt.”

“I won, you know.”

“Rematch!”

“When I can move again.”

The door, which had appeared about the time the room spoke `Head orange,' banged open, showing a mildly upset professor.

“What is going on in…? Okay…” Snape blinked in momentary shock. “Should I leave you two alone?”

“You could get him off me. We're both exhausted, messy, and I'm sore.”

“Hey, I'm sore too. And it's your fault,” the Slytherin whined.

“You didn't have to move the same time I did.”

“You shouldn't have moved until you were sure it was okay. It's your own fault for going so fast.”

Unknown to them, the game mat had disappeared, and their conversation, which would have been fine had the mat been there, sounded completely inappropriate when taken out of context.

“Draco, when I said fix things…I didn't mean this, you know.” Severus finally moved over to the teens, reaching down a hand to his godson to help him up.

“It was a game.”

“I don't see it.”

“The room,” Harry groaned as he stretched out, shirt riding up to reveal his toned abs. “It likes to be mean.”

“I'm glad to see you're getting along now.”

“A little help, here.”

“Fine.” Draco bent down, reaching a hand out to clasp one of Harry's. “Baby.” He stood up and pulled suddenly, sending the boy careening into him, knocking them both back to the floor, this time with Harry positioned suggestively on Draco.

“Take your teenage hormones elsewhere.”

“If that's code for `Get a room', I hate to tell you this, but, we have a room. You're in it.”

“A sense of humor, Potter? How nice. How far did you get?”

“It's on the desk.” Harry didn't move but instead made himself comfortable where he was. “You make a good pillow.” He squirmed a little before settling down.

“Oh, joy. I've found my one true purpose in life. To be the squishy pillow of Harry Potter.”

“I never said you were squishy. You're actually quite hard.” Harry kept a straight face when he looked down into silver eyes. “Definitely not soft.” He winked at his professor surreptitiously, smirking at the rather red face he was sporting. When the door shut behind him, Harry started laughing as he rolled to the side. “Did you see his face? It was so red.”

“You're actually quite mean, you know that?”

“I was supposed to be in Slytherin, remember?”

“How could I forget? The Gryffindor Golden Boy was actually meant to be in the darkest of the four houses.”

“Eh, life's weird like that.” Groaning, Harry sat up. “Well, that was the best workout I've had in a while, and it was fun. Thanks. I needed that. I don't know about you, but I need a shower.”

“I want a bath. I'll be sore tomorrow if I don't relax now.”

“It's deal.” Harry stood, offering Draco his hand. When the blond gripped it, he pulled just hard enough to make the blond lean against him. “I'll win next time,” he murmured before setting the teen upright and walking off. “Coming?” he questioned when he noticed Draco wasn't following him.

Shaken out of a haze, he nodded, quickly catching up to his rival. “Yeah, yeah, hold your pants up.”

“That's keep your pants on.”

“Whatever.” Walking through one of the walls, they ended up in the grand bathroom once more. Not waiting for the other to take his clothes off, Draco picked Harry up and tossed him into the pool, jumping in after him when the teen came up, splashing him the second the black hair broke the surface.

“I have my clothes on,” Harry said dryly.

“Well, so you do. How strange, you bathe in your clothes.”

“Courtesy of you.”

“No thanks needed.”

“Ha ha.” Stripping out of his now soaking wet clothes, Harry swam to the side to dump them on the marble floor. Smirking, he turned when he heard the blond yelp out in surprise. “Problems?”

“Not really,” Draco squeaked, trying to play off his outburst.

“Oh, good. I'd hate for you to be uncomfortable.” He knew the silver-eyed teen was probably in shock despite trying to hide it. After all, Harry had just stripped him, thanks to the room, but really that was beside the point. The point was that he had ruffled the Slytherin Ice Prince's feathers.

Slowly, the blond calmed enough to actually look at Harry without blushing. “So…”

“Mmm?” Harry looked up from his search for a washcloth. One appeared over his head and wrung itself out, sending cold water over the teen. “Oh, cold!”

“I didn't do it! Seriously!”

“Stupid room.” He yanked the rag from the air and threw it into the water. “Yeah, Malfoy?”

“Think you can talk about your nightmare yet? It might help.”

“Not that one. That deals with something I don't talk about. Hell, I don't even like to remember it. Let's just say my life isn't what everyone else thinks it to be.”

“The scars?”

“Same thing. They're just the physical reminders of what happened to me.”

“You don't want to tell me?”

“The only one who knew was Dumbledore. I didn't even tell Weasley or Granger when we were friends. Snape wasn't supposed to know. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, not that I would. Some things not even a hero can take. I used to wonder if I had a knight in shining armor, before I learned who I was and all. Then, I was the knight. I had to save everyone else. I didn't have anyone to rescue me.”

“Um, what's a knight in shining armor?”

“It's from Muggle fairy tales. The knight rescues the princess from the bad guy, or evil witch, or mean, fire-breathing dragon. Then they meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after.”

“Romantic, but highly unlikely. Who would go up against a dragon for someone they don't even know?”

“It's just make-believe anyway. There is no knight in shining armor to rescue me from my hell.”

Draco felt bad for ruining something that was obviously important to the dark-haired teenager. “You never know. Someone could rush in and pick you up from the ground.”

“That's sweep me off my feet. Thanks, Draco.”

“Yeah. So what about the other dreams?”

“That's just Voldemort. I have a link through my scar with him. That's why I learned Occlumency. I wanted to stop letting him in. I didn't take it seriously enough and ended up losing my godfather.”

“Who?”

“Sirius Black. He was innocent 17 years ago. He wasn't a Death Eater and didn't betray my parents. That was Peter Pettigrew, Wormtail. He betrayed them and when Sirius tried to get him back, he made everyone believe Sirius murdered him by causing an explosion and then escaping as a rat.”

“Wow, no wonder my parents still hate Black. They knew the truth.”

“End of fifth year, Voldemort sent me a vision of Sirius in danger. I rushed off, not listening to anyone. It was a trick. Voldemort just wanted me to get the prophecy for him. Sirius found out and came to save me.” Harry fell quiet, not really sure he could go on.

“How did it happen?”

“He was fighting when a curse from Bellatrix Lestrange hit him, and he fell through the veil. Once you're in, you don't come out.”

“I knew there was a reason I didn't like her. I'm guessing you blame yourself.”

“Yeah, and Dumbledore. He hadn't let Sirius out at all so it was no wonder he was so ready to get out of Order headquarters.”

“Yet another reason I don't like him. So your dreams of him, what are they like?”

“Torture sessions. Murders. Meetings. During the day I can feel his emotions whenever they're particularly strong.”

“Sucks to be you.”

“No duh. I'd give anything to be someone else. Being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be. People only see the image and never care to find out if it is the real me or not. The newspapers hound me and when I don't comply, print lies about me. I hate it, but there's nothing I can really do about it.”

“I can just see it now. The Savior of the Wizarding World told reporters this weekend to `fuck off' and `go screw themselves.' Is this a breakdown? Will Harry Potter turn dark? Is this the end to our hero?”

“That doesn't sound like a bad idea, you know. Maybe I should say that to them.”

“Oh, good, I've corrupted The Boy Who Lived. All is right with the world again. So, juvenile delinquent Harry, what will you do first?”

“Drown you, for starters.”

“Now that's not nice.” He looked like he was pouting, but really he was pleased to have brought Harry out of his gloomy mood. “I might cry. You don't want to see that, now do you?”

“Of course not.” Harry looked completely innocent…right up until he pounced. Giggling, though he'd deny it, he yelped when he felt strong hands feel up his sides. He squealed and was summarily upended as Draco pinned him underwater. It felt wrong to struggle against the stronger teen. He lightly gripped the flexing biceps and squeezed a little, feeling the muscles tense as he was brought above water.

“Do you yield?” Draco said in a teasing manner, smiling a bit.

Dazed green eyes fought to clear as Harry came back to his sense. He nodded almost meekly in reply, not sure why he was acting like he was. He just felt it was wrong to argue with the blond, or for that matter, anyone else. He was glad Draco didn't notice his weird behavior. He snapped out of it as the Slytherin let go of him, moving away as quickly as he could without seeming obvious about it.

“Good. Now, are you feeling better?”

“Yes…” About some things. “I am. Thanks…but…I don't like being dunked, you know.”

“Neither do I.” After a moment of silence, a water fight began. Snowballs were thrown, water was splashed, and, once Harry's sense of humor returned, water balloons and squirt guns were added. The war of water finally ended in a tie when Draco imagined a water cannon and Harry had a water bazooka.

“Tie?” Harry finally asked.

“Tie.”

“You should smile more, Malfoy.”

“Why?”

“It makes you so much hotter.”

“Oh.” Draco's cheeks flushed bright pink. “Well, then you'll have to make me.”

“I can handle that.”

“I'd like to see you try.”

“I will. Besides, every time I smile, you look like you want to follow.”

“I'm not listening.”

“I think someone's in denial. Someone with a name starting with D and ending in -raco.”

“Wait a minute, I'm not in denial!”

“And said someone is also a little slow in the head.”

“Am not!”

“Are too.”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Am not!”

“Am not!” Harry said, with a slight change, wondering if Draco would notice.

“Are too!”

“Okay.” Harry smirked. He was subconsciously thanking Bugs Bunny for the trick. Daffy Duck always fell for it.

“Wait a minute…you tricked me!”

“I did? Oh, dear, how shall I make it up to you?”

“Saying sorry might be a good place to start…”

Black lashes fluttered demurely over pretty emeralds as Harry moved closer to the other teen. “I'm sorry, Draco.” Tears gathered in viridian eyes as Harry wrapped his arms around the blond's neck. He sniffed, taking in the Slytherin's scent, as he pretended to cry. “Can you ever forgive me?”

Draco practically melted into the brunet's arms. “I guess…if I must.” He really couldn't say no to Harry. “But just this one time.”

“That means I'll have to find other ways to say sorry then.”

“Just don't mess up; then you won't have to apologize.”

“But I like the making up part. What fun is there in breaking up if you can't enjoy the making up part?”

“What, we're going out?”

“Not necessarily. Just friends. But when friends fight, they make up, right?”

“Wouldn't know. I don't really have friends.”

“You have me, and that's all that matters.”

“And, pray tell, why is that?”

“Cause I'm special.” Harry moved back, pulling his arms from Draco's neck as he swam off. “Duh…”

“Of course, how could I not know that?”

“Not sure, but maybe it's just you. But that's okay. I like you as you.” Smiling in his own way, Harry took off backwards, swimming to the side to grab the washcloth he had thrown away earlier. Humming, he tossed the rag innocently (or not so much so) over his shoulder, hitting the blond (accidentally, of course) in his haste.

“Hey!”

Glancing over his shoulder, Harry grinned at the sight. A soggy washcloth was on the Slytherin's head, drops of water falling down his face. “Oops. My bad. Shall I say sorry again?” Harry swam back to the blond, enveloping him in a closer hug than the first, pressing their chests together tightly as his arms once again laced around the strong shoulders. “I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to.” He pouted prettily as he laid his head on the pale shoulder. “How can I make it up to you?”

“Try by letting him breathe,” entered a cool voice.

“Can't you knock?” Harry moved away, missing the pouting look as silver eyes tracked his movements. “What do you want now? Finished reading the translation already?”

“Where would you have me knock when I just had to walk through the wall? As to why I am here, the room provided dinner and I thought you'd want to eat it while it's hot. And no, I'm not done reading. You two translated a lot.”

“We work well together, don't we, Drakey?” He latched onto the shocked blond, once more wrapping his arms around the strong shoulders.

Snape looked like his head was going to explode. “How…wonderful for you.” He walked out, looking like he still had something to say.

“You really are mean to him.”

“Can't help it. Well, you heard the man. Dinner's ready.” Smiling brightly, he shoved Draco under water and then headed for the side of the pool. He heard sputtering behind him as he wrapped a towel around his waist. “Coming?”

“Yeah,” Draco muttered, climbing out of the pool. He grabbed a towel to dry off, watching as Harry got dressed. The other teen moved closer to him as he wrapped the towel around his waist.

“I didn't want you peeking at me while I got out.”

“You're the gay one. I should have been the worried one, what with this fine body and all.”

“And so modest too…”

“I don't like being dunked either, Harry. That wasn't nice.”

“You'll live…” Harry said, walking close by. He wasn't prepared when Draco pushed him, fully dressed, into the pool. As he came up sputtering, the blond replied to him.

“Yeah, I guess I will. Coming? Dinner will be cold.” Smirking, Draco turned and walked off, hips swaying more so than normal, almost like a taunt to Harry.

The Gryffindor tried to swallow, but his mouth had gone dry as his eyes focused on the jean-clad arse displayed so nicely in the pants.

“And quit staring.”

“Can't help it. You did say you were irresistible,” Harry said, getting out of the pool a second time. He had the room dry him rather than using a towel. Green eyes almost predatory, Harry stalked after the blond, eager, for food or dessert (wink wink), he wasn't sure.

Yet again, Harry's plate was piled high with food. He plopped into his chair and grabbed the tray, already starting to attempt to eat what the room had given him. Playing Twister had made him hungry. “Revenge will be mine, Draco Malfoy.”

“You gave in, so I think not.”

“Only cause you were over me.”

“Either way, you yielded, so I win and things will stay that way.”

“If you two are going to talk about that, go to a different room. I'd rather keep my supper down.”

Green and gray met in confusion. “What are you on about, Severus?” Draco asked, wondering what his godfather was talking about.

“I'd rather not hear about your sex life, especially while I'm trying to eat.”

“Well, we know where your mind is: in the gutter. We were playing a game and I lost. It isn't our fault you have a one-track mind,” said Harry, after swallowing a mouthful of food. “I think someone needs to get laid, and I'm not talking about the `hormonal teenagers.'” Harry made air quotes for emphasis.

The professor looked shocked. “How did you know about that?”

“You just said it.” Harry and Draco both looked confused, but for different reasons.

“No, I didn't. I was thinking it.”

“Umm…wild guess?”

“Try again, Potter,” Snape said dryly, clearly not amused.

“It came to me in a dream…?”

“The truth. Come on, friends tell friends secrets right? Are we not friends?”

“Hey, cheater. Don't give me the pout. I never could resist a sexy guy pouting.”

“Don't change the subject. Now, how did you know what I was thinking?”

“Err…look at the time. Gotta go.” Harry jumped up, only to be pinned down in the chair when Draco pounced on him.

“Tell me.” Silver eyes had lost their glimmer or mirth and were completely serious. “I don't like being lied to.”

Just as before, Harry lost the will to fight. He lay complacently beneath the overpowering Slytherin. “I…”

“Now, Potter.” Draco's voice had turned cold and harsh. He had unknowingly used a tone and words that Harry's uncle had used during the sessions of abuse.

Tears rushed into scared green eyes as Harry paled, mind going into a flashback as memories he wanted to repress flooded forward. A soft cry left his lips as he pulled away, trying to escape his memories. “No, Vernon! Please, no! Stop…I'll be good, just please…” His broken whisper stunned Draco, and even Snape, who knew the truth, was surprised at the pleading tone the normally strong teen was using.

Draco realized he had done something to trigger whatever the other teen had nightmares about. He pulled back, eyes darting to his professor when Snape moved forward. The trembling teen below him drew his attention back. Not knowing what else to do, he lay down on top of Harry and wrapped his arms around him, tightening his grip when the brunet tried to fight to get away. Whimpers from the Gryffindor scared him, though he didn't know why. All he knew was that Harry was in pain and was frightened, and he wanted to stop it, to make it go away. He lowered his voice, forcing himself to stay calm, even though he wanted to panic. “Shh, Harry. It's all right. You're safe. Shh…” He made other comforting noises and began rubbing the Gryffindor's back and shaking shoulders.

Slowly, Harry calmed, and he lay still beneath the blond as trembles shook his form, tears nowhere near stopping. Snape stood nearby before turning towards a table with vials on it. He grabbed one and walked back, tapping his godson's shoulder to get his attention. When silver eyes met his, showing fear and concern, he handed the small bottle over. “For you. It's a Calming Potion. He can't have any, and you can't help him if you're upset.”

“He needs it.”

“He can't have it. His body rejects it because he's too accustomed to it. He's had more Calming and Dreamless Sleep Draughts than anyone else. He can't have either because they don't work. Take it and help him.”

“No. If he can deal with it, I can.” When Severus looked like he was going to protest, Draco interrupted him, keeping his voice as soft as he could. “No. He needs me as me. Go to sleep. I'll take care of him.” As he spoke, his gaze dropped from his professor to his charge. Green eyes had closed, but tears still fell, though silently. No sound came from the teen. Draco shifted to the side, arms still wrapped around the Gryffindor. He curled around the teen protectively, wanting to keep him safe from the world, anything that would hurt him. A tear fell down his cheek in sympathy, and he tightened his arms for a moment before lessening his hold. He shifted again as Snape walked off, bringing walls up for privacy as the chair they were in changed into a bed.

The crystalline tears finally slowed to a stop when Draco's calm voice mellowed into song as the blond hummed quietly. Harry leaned closer, seeking comfort even in his sleep. Just as Draco was falling asleep as well, the teen in his arms shifted and spoke.

“Draco…you awake?”

“Mm-hmm…” He didn't really react to anything more than the fact that Harry was speaking.

“I…thanks.”

Moving almost unconsciously, Draco tightened his grip and then did something he never would have done. He ducked his head down, nuzzling against the Gryffindor to comfort him, before placing a sweet kiss on his cheek.

“My uncle beat and raped me for years. Your voice…you sounded like him.” Harry's voice was quiet and broken. He didn't look up, but instead huddled closer for the comfort Draco was offering.

For a moment, Draco sat there, stunned at what he had learned. Then it sunk in. “I'll kill them. And Dumbledore. I can't believe he allowed you to go back to that place, even knowing what it was like, what he did to you.” His voice was cold and deadly. “You didn't deserve any of this.”

“Don't. Don't do anything. It's over and done with and I don't have to go back.”

“I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's my fault.”

“I'm a telepath. I've been able to read thoughts since before I can remember. I usually have it under control, but I guess with everything…I've lost concentration. I can't tell the difference between words and thoughts when I'm not trying to. That's why I couldn't tell Snape wasn't talking.”

“Why didn't you want to tell us?”

“I've seen what happens. Someone's found to be a telepath and suddenly everyone thinks their mind's being read. I don't pry. I've only read a few minds and that was when I couldn't control it or when I lost my temper.”

“What am I thinking?”

“Don't make me. It's like reading auras. I learn more and more about what a person's really like.”

“What am I thinking?”

“Draco…please, don't…”

“Tell me.”

A resigned sign came from the troubled teen. “You're afraid but you're not going to leave me. You want to kill them for hurting me and…” Harry stopped, green eyes confused as he looked up to meet Draco's gaze. “You'd like to share a sunset with me? What?”

“Don't ask me. You're the one reading minds, not me. Ever read a person wrong?”

“Never.” His voice was near a whisper. “Why me?”

“Because you deserve the little things. You deserve the best in life, but you've gotten the worst. You're still pure, no matter what's happened to you.”

“I'm not pure. I'm dirty, disgusting. I've been abused for my entire life. Weasley and Granger were right to leave me. You should follow them. I'll only bring death and suffering.”

“Stop that. I don't care what anyone else has said or done. You're you and if you bring death, then bring it on. I've never done what I've been told to.”

Harry was silent for a moment before speaking again. “Draco, I…thanks.”

“You're welcome. You can thank me properly later. Sleep, for now. No one can get to you when I'm here.”

Tucking his head under Draco's chin, Harry pressed close. “Don't let me go.”

“Never.”

Relieved, Harry's breathing evened out almost immediately as he fell asleep, exhausted from everything that had happened that day. Draco was left with his thoughts, wondering what he could do to fix the mess he had started. It was obvious the Gryffindor had scars that went far deeper than those on his skin. Asleep, the brunet looked peaceful, like an angel fallen from heaven just for him. He looked like nothing had harmed him, but Draco knew the truth. He knew that Harry had seen more than anyone should, and still managed to keep his innocence, his purity, intact. He carried the weight of the world and all its problems on his shoulders, and stood tall under his burden. Hugging him again, Draco vowed to carry some of the weight and to not let the teen bare the world by himself any longer. Silver eyes closing, Draco held Harry close, even after he fell asleep.

Professor Severus Snape opened the door to the room. Both of his students were fast asleep and, much to his surprised, were still wrapped up in each other's arms. His godson had managed to form a bond with the Boy Who Lived To Not Die and was now one of the last things keeping Harry Potter sane. He walked forward, stopping at the side of the makeshift bed. “We'll talk tomorrow, Draco…Harry. It's past time for it.” He pulled the coverlet over the sleeping teens before making his retreat. He fell into a fitful sleep, hoping for a good night's sleep for a change. `Teenagers…'

The Room of Requirement fell silent, Draco keeping Harry's nightmares at bay. No one expected the visitors that dropped in, making a surprise trip from the Chamber of Secrets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

“Aren't they cute? I knew he was gay,” said a strong male voice, loud despite the whisper.

“But he's a sub. You thought he'd be dom.” The second voice was a soft hiss, almost like a snake.

“Will you two stop that? Honestly, Helga, you'd think they'd grow out of this after the centuries we've been asleep.” Rowena looked to her mate for agreement.

“Leave them be, dear, you know it's their way of showing affection.”

“Still you'd think they'd know better.”

“Shouldn't you know how to be quiet?” Draco hissed, silver eyes opening in annoyance. “We are trying to sleep.”

“Don't take that tone with us, boy. You may be in my house, but that doesn't mean much with that…Gryffindor…streak in you.”

Harry sniggered, trying to mask it with a sneeze which only made him giggle more until he finally gave up trying to stay silent and broke out in laughter.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“You…a Gryffindor. That's ironic.” Harry grinned as he opened his eyes. “And bloody hilarious.”

“Oh haha. I'm glad to see you've regained your sense of humor.” Despite his pout, Harry could see the gleam of amusement in the usually cold silver eyes, especially when the teen leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I really am.”

“How sweet! Whispering endearments to a lover. You never do that, Godric. Why not?”

“He's not my lover!” Harry shouted, blushing bright red.

“I'm not his lover!” Draco joined Harry indignantly.

“Oh, cute, they think alike. Can you finish each other's sentences too?” Salazar was most definitely not acting as Draco would have thought.

“Sal, calm down. They don't need you being hyperactive this early in the morning,” Godric said, trying to calm his mate.

“Am I really related to them?”

“I was wondering the same. And why is my house founder so un-Slytherin-like?”

“Hey, I'll have you know--” the Slytherin House founder started, only to be interrupted by his house's rival.

“That he is very Slytherin-like!”

“And he wants us to finish each other's sentences? Looks like they do it enough for us.”

Laughing a little, Harry looked up to watch his relatives. “So, is there a reason you're here at such an ungodly hour of…” He paused to check the time. “Seven a.m.?”

“Well, we know who your mate is and…when you'll find them,” Salazar said in a surprisingly serious voice. His attitude had completely changed from what it had been.

Draco moved away from Harry immediately. He hadn't remembered that Harry already had someone for him out there.

“Oh?” Harry asked, already missing Draco's presence near him.

“Yep. Normally, because you have four different types of blood in you, you'd need four different mates, one for each side of you.” Godric started, looking to his bonded to continue for him.

“But you are special, or rather, your mate is. Your blood has chosen only one for you. He makes up the other half of each of the different bloodlines.”

“Who is it?”

“We can't tell you, Harry, but it is someone here at Hogwarts that you know.” It was Rowena who spoke up. “He's in your year, and not in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.”

“And we all approve of him.” Salazar gave his great-grandson a reassuring look.

“And if you didn't hear earlier, you're the submissive,” Godric tossed in only to receive a look from his own mate.

“Meaning you'll feel the pull more because you depend on your mate for strength. It is likely he won't notice until it's too late. You'll continue to feel pain until a connection has been made. It's not just a physical touch that's needed. You have to touch their mind with yours.” Salazar tried to give a little information to add to what his mate had started.

Seeing Harry's worried look, Godric hurried to reassure him. “This won't start until after you've begun your transformations. You'll feel his presence and instinctively want to go to him. Once you find him, he has to make a claim on you. Rejection, if you've already connected with him, will kill you unless he changes his mind and bonds with you.”

“And what part of this is supposed to make me feel better?”

“There's more. You can't tell him that he's your mate. He has to come to you because he wants you or feels the pull, not because you'll die without him. A bond can't come from guilt,” Salazar finished up.

“Is there any good news for him?” Draco was indignant.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, there is.” Godric brightened up. “First, it won't happen immediately. He'll begin to feel it after his si-er, first transformation happens. Even after he changes, it's likely that unless he has a real need for his mate, he won't feel the pain, just a pull until they connect, or his third transformation happens. He kind of really needs his mate for that one. Beginning that one without a mate could prove fatal.”

“Again, how does this make me feel better?”

“Ok…ummm…” Godric pulled the other together as they talked. The four founders gathered in a huddle and began whispering.

Harry rolled his eyes and flopped back to the bed. “Why'd you let go of me, like touching me burned you?” he whispered suddenly, turning green eyes towards the suddenly squirming blond, gaze curious, not accusing.

“Well, you have a mate…I didn't think you'd want me touching you. And besides that, dominant mates are protective of their sub. I'd rather not have your mate thinking I'm challenging him for you.”

“I haven't transformed yet, so that doesn't make much difference. And for all we know, you could be my mate. But even if you're not, in this room, it doesn't matter. This room won't allow harm to come to those inside.”

“When you put it that way…” Draco lay back down and didn't mind too much when Harry curled up next to him. He really hadn't believed what the other teen had said. He was just looking for a reason to be near the Gryffindor.

“You're warm…”

“Great. First I'm your pillow, and now your heating blanket.”

“OK,” Godric said as the four broke up. “We'll tell you your last transformation, what you'll become.”

“He only agreed because it's his heritage.”

“Quiet, Sal. You're just mad because your blood is going to be the hardest on him. My blood is that of an elf.”

Harry and Draco stared for a moment in silence. “An elf?” the blond asked, completely astonished.

“I don't believe you. You don't look like an elf,” Harry said skeptically.

“Hey, I can't stay in that form all the time. Not to brag or anything, but when I was, people wouldn't stop throwing themselves at me.”

“Hmph…”

“Ah, Sal, you know you're the only one that matters.”

“Come along, you two. Let's give Harry time to think about this,” Helga admonished gently.

“Good luck with my blood, Harry. Those around you should start to feel the effects every time you speak, but I've said too much. Bye,” Rowena called as Helga pulled her by the hand.

“You had even more followers than I did,” Godric said, trying to reason with his lover.

“So. I knew I only had one mate and that it was you. You could have chosen anyone.”

“But I didn't.” The other two's voices drifted off as they followed after Rowena and Helga.

“Wow.”

“Yeah, and you're related to them. How is that possible?”

The door to the room opened and Snape moved his face around the corner, almost tentatively. “Breakfast, you two.”

Harry pulled the covers over his head and clung to Draco. “Too comfy.”

“You can come back later.”

“Actually, we have training to do. And we need to talk, not just about what's going on either, but the effects.”

As he left the room, he saw Draco tugging on the blankets. “Get up. We have stuff to do.”

“So go do it,” came the muffled reply. “I don' wanna.”

“If you don't, I'll have to do something to make you.” A movement under the covers led Draco to believe that Harry was shrugging him off. “Get up or else…” Not wanting a repeat of the previous night, he kept his voice light and teasing. A shake and he knew Harry was saying no. Smirking at the silence, he dove forward, darted his hands under the covers, and began tickling the teen mercilessly.

“Draco…stop! I give. I give!” The blanket was pulled out of his loose fingers. “Meanie.”

“I win again.” A small smile graced pink lips as Draco leaned down. The tension in the room rose sharply as they shared a quiet moment, eyes locked before Draco's gaze trailed down to parted rosy lips. He leaned closer still as he whispered. “I want a prize.” Green eyes closed as the blond moved to eliminate the gap. A centimeter apart, the door banged open.

“Mov…!” Professor Snape stared as Draco hurled himself off the bed, eyes wide, cheeks red. Harry's eyes opened in surprise as he felt Draco's comforting weight on him disappear. Before he could even sit up, the blond had darted past his godfather and vanished.

Groaning in defeat, he sat up and glared. “Why?!”

“Why, what?”

“Why couldn't you leave us alone? This close to getting a real kiss.” He screamed in frustration and then directed his anger to a productive result. He smirked as he heard his professor yelp and then turned to look at him, amused to see his teacher in a hot pink dress with frilly white lace, black ringlet curls, rosy red lips, and a giant lollypop. “Well, I feel better.”

Humming to himself, so softly Snape couldn't hear him, Harry got out of bed, shifting his clothes from pajamas to tight blue jeans and a dark green button-down shirt.

“Change me back.”

Almost laughing at the high-pitched girly voice coming from his professor, Harry replied. “No. I think you deserve this. This close, and it's your fault that it was only close, so now you can look like that for a while.”

Stomping out, Harry was disappointed, but not surprised, when he didn't see Draco. He was tempted to go after him, but realized the blond was probably upset. As far as he knew, the Slytherin was straight so almost kissing a boy would scare anyone, more so when said boy was said Slytherin's rival and had a mate. He sat at a table, glaring at the journal that really had started the mess. He was close to stabbing it when a strange feeling overcame him. He started humming quietly, suddenly wanted to hear a soft melody in contrast to yelling. Soft words started flowing out, sung to the melody. He was surprised when the door opened and Snape, pink dress and all, exited, staring as though transfixed.

Harry abruptly stopped, wondering why Snape was staring at him. “Fine, all right,” he huffed, having the room change him back to the way he was supposed to look. “Happy now?”

Blinking, Snape came out of his trance. He pursed his lips and stomped to his room, wondering what he had been thinking. The door slammed shut in front of him.

“No, you don't. You got me up, so you can't go hiding with your potions. You said you wanted to train and we're going to train.” Harry finished his rant, glared, and then brightened immediately. “After breakfast.” He sat back down to his tray, a second plate appearing at the table.

Breakfast was eaten in a tense silence. Neither Harry nor Snape said anything the entire time. When they finished, they stood up simultaneously, Harry leading the way to yet another door that had appeared.

“What's this?”

“You did want a training room, didn't you? This particular room won't let any magic out into the school, so everything that happens in here will stay in here.”

“Good. What about Draco?”

“I think we should leave him alone for a while. He can always join us after he calms down. Shall we?”

Rolling his eyes at the overdone challenge, Snape removed his robe, tossing it to the side as he readied his wand. “Ready?” When he received a nod, Snape finished. “Let's begin.”

Curses, hexes, and spells began flying back and forth across the room, both participants dodging their opponent's spells only to throw others back. Three hours later, the battle finally ceased. Any furniture that had been in the room lay in pieces. There were charred spots on the wall from some nasty curses thrown by Snape. Both participants were utterly exhausted.

“Ow. I don't think my magic has ever been this low. I don't think I could cast a simple Levitation Spell,” Harry complained, groaning in pain.

“I think this was almost as bad as one of the Death Eater meetings.” Both shaky on their feet, they moved to the door and left the combat area behind. “I'm not doing that again this afternoon.”

“Agreed. I'll be lucky to move later. Are we going to work on my other abilities…or talk?”

“We'll see after we finish lunch and rest.”

Harry collapsed into his easy chair, Snape falling onto the couch. Two bottles of water appeared, both grabbing and drinking them immediately.

“Lunch?” Two trays appeared with a variety of food for them.

Snape nodded at the teenager, sliding one of the trays toward himself. As he bit into his sandwich, a hole appeared in the ceiling, Draco falling through and into the chair across from Harry.

“Decided to join us, Mr. Malfoy, after skipping our training session?”

Draco stuck his tongue out as a third tray appeared. He glared at his godfather for the comment. “I was busy.”

“Doing what, Draco?” Harry inquired, eyes not looking up to meet the blond's while he slowly ate.

“Thinking. Did you just call me Draco?”

“Yes, but if you'd rather I call you Malfoy, I will. I'm too tired to care.” He pushed away his tray and curled up in the chair, eyes falling closed.

“What'd you do to him, Sev? He looks dead on his feet!”

“'M not dead,” he mumbled from his curled up spot. “Or on my feet.”

“Don't mind him. He's just tired from the training. Training you missed might I--” Snape broke off on a yawn, “--add.”

“Lucky me. You both look completely drained.” He chuckled as the pair threw glares at him.

“If I could move, Malfoy, I'd hex you, but my magic's at zero, so even if I could move, I can't curse you.”

“Want me to feed you?” Draco expected Harry to rise to the bait, but was instead shocked when he didn't.

“Yes, and since you offered, you have to.”

“But…but…”

“No buts. Feed me.” Harry leaned on his hand as he stretched over the chair horizontally, propped up on the armrest, looking for the world like a lazy cat.

“Sev…” Draco whined.

“Don't look at me. You said it, now either give in or fight back.”

Silver eyes landed on Harry's exhausted form, knowing the other teen wasn't up to a fight and that he would win, hands down. Sighing, he moved his chair over, grabbing the bowl of grapes from the Gryffindor's tray as he settled next to him. “Open,” he said quietly, pleased when Harry opened his eyes in surprise even as he followed the soft command. He set the grape against Harry's plush bottom lip, guiding it into his mouth. He watched in silence as Harry chewed slowly, eyes fixed onto his.

“I was teasing, you know.”

“But I wasn't, and I always keep my word.” He offered a second grape and froze in place when his finger brushed against Harry's lip. He waited with bated breath as the grape disappeared, rosy lips brushing against his finger again as they closed.

“Ahem,” Snape coughed, gaining the attention of the two teenagers. “Are you quite finished?”

Blushing brightly, they broke apart, separating as they sat in their chairs. Harry moved to sit properly, retrieving his bowl from Draco and his tray from the floor. “Thanks,” he mumbled, not meeting the blond's intense gaze.

“You're welcome,” he whispered back, eyes tracing tan features, bright red in their blush.

“Oh for heaven's…just kiss already. The sexual tension in here is enough to make a saint into a sinner,” Snape muttered as he got up. “I'll be back after a bath. Be ready to talk.” He smirked as he left his students behind, knowing it was only a matter of time. “Back here in an hour.”

Harry was too stunned by his professor's words to come up with a denial. His eyes darted to Draco as the bathroom door shut, flushing when their eyes met before returning his gaze to his tray, slowly eating the rest of his food. Draco was right along with him. Both were embarrassed, but didn't make any denials. As one, they both stood.

“I need a bath too. Snape worked me hard.” He flushed when Draco, raised an eyebrow in question. “Not like that! Pervert!” He went to take a step only to have his muscles give out. Headed for the floor, he fell into strong arms as Draco caught him.

“Need a hand?”

“Thanks. I guess I'm more tired that I thought.”

“Come on, Boy Wonder, you need to relax.” Not bothering to listen to Harry's protests, he carried the Gryffindor into the grand bathroom, glad that Severus had a different room. “Quit squirming or I'll drop you on your arse, no matter how sexy it is.”

“I have a sexy arse?”

“Mm-hmm, but that doesn't mean I won't drop you on it--”

“You've been staring at my arse?”

“--and then you'll have a sexy, bruised arse. Oh, and yes.” Smirking, Draco set his burden on a chair, stepping back to remove his own clothes as Harry did the same, watching him as discretely as possible.

“Are you staring at me?”

“Nope. You ready to get in?”

“Yes. Are you lying?”

“Of course not.” Draco smirked as he helped Harry stand, both hyper aware of the other's nudity for the first time. “Come on, Sev only gave us an hour and you're wasting it.” He wrapped his arm around Harry's waist, helping him to the steps leading into the bath. “Get in and soak.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He sighed as he sank down into the water, leaning against Draco for a moment. “Oh, god,” he moaned, eyes closing in ecstasy.

“Um, are you dying?”

He was answered with a groan before Harry actually spoke. “Of pleasure.” He moaned again, sinking into the bath until the water was up to his chin.

“Joy. Warn me if you're about to cum.” Draco smirked when Harry sputtered, coughing as water went down the wrong way, mouth filling with soap before he spit it out. “Good, now that I've got your attention…”

“I'll say,” Harry muttered, leaning back, eyes falling shut yet again. He hissed as his shoulders hit the steps behind him.

“What's wrong?”

“My shoulders.”

A pale hand traced over tan shoulders. Draco smirked as Harry jumped. “No wonder. You're insanely tense. You need to relax. Here,” he said as he slid onto the steps behind the Gryffindor.

“What are you--?”

“Just sit still. I'm not going to kill you…much.” His hands found their place on the muscled back. He pressed hard with his thumbs, pleased when he felt the other teen sag in his arms as the knot he started with began to loosen.

“Oh, god.”

“Yes, I am. Just enjoy this. It won't happen again.”

“Mmm.” Harry couldn't believe it. All the tension in his shoulders, neck, and back was disappearing under the pressure from Draco's fingers. His posture slowly relaxed and leaned into the long fingers working their magic. After a time, the touch softened, becoming almost a caress as Draco traced over pale scars, pleased when Harry didn't move away. The blond didn't think about his motions, he just let his fingertips trace paths over the scarred skin.

“Better?” he whispered eventually, as their skin turned wrinkled from being in the water too long.

“Yeah. I feel great, actually. Thanks, Draco.” Harry stood and stretched, shaking out his arms. He dove under water, swimming away a bit before resurfacing. Grinning, he splashed water at Draco.

“You're such a kid.”

“I never had a chance to be one, so I enjoy myself now.” Harry smiled softly.

“You deserve it. Come on, Severus is probably waiting for us.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Harry joined the Slytherin at the stairs, surprised when Draco wrapped his arm around his waist with a smirk on his lips.

“Wouldn't want you to fall.” When Harry rolled his eyes, Draco's smirk widened. They climbed the stairs, grabbing two of the floating towels to dry off with.

Harry sighed as he felt the soft towel on his skin. Even Draco couldn't find fault. Before either could say a word, the door opened, showing a much more relaxed Potions master.

“Hurry up, you two. You've already gone over the hour mark.” He turned and left, shutting the door behind.

Sharing a look, the two teens got dressed, Draco in loose jeans and a T-shirt, Harry in mesh shorts and an over-sized T-shirt. “Come on, before slave driver Snape throws a hissy fit.”

Draco was forced to swallow as his mouth filled with saliva at the picture Harry made. The Gryffindor's shirt tipped to the side, displaying one of his shoulders. The shorts displayed his graceful legs, only coming down to mid thigh. Clearing his throat, he tried to take his eyes off the other teen. “Actually, I don't think I've ever seen him so relaxed. I'm surprised. He doesn't relax around many people. Then again, it's you.”

“What about me?”

“It's hard not to find peace or to stay calm around you. You just…have this aura around you that puts people at ease.”

“Thanks, I think.”

They opened the door, walking back out into the main room. Snape was sitting, relaxed in one of the chairs, a mug of Butterbeer in his hands. Draco sat in one of the other chairs. Harry wrapped a blanket around himself before curling up at one end of the couch, eyes shutting almost immediately. He was comfortable and drowsy, especially when a roaring fire appeared against the wall, crackling cheerfully and filling the immediate area with its warmth.

“Don't fall asleep, Potter. You're not getting out of talking that easily.”

“Your fault, slave driver,” he mumbled from under the covers. Harry poked his head out of the blanket, glaring, but the effect was ruined by his sleepy gaze and rumpled hair. Draco couldn't help but find the look adorable and innocent. “Fine, you have my attention for as long as I can stay awake.”

“Tell me about last night, how you knew what I was thinking.”

“I'm a telepath. I can read minds and project my thoughts to others.”

“Since when?”

“I've been reading minds since I was a child, but I don't think I understood it. Whenever I responded to something unsaid, I'd be punished, called a freak.” Harry shrugged. “It wasn't until I was older that I realized I was hearing thoughts. It took me until my third year to realize that I could project as well. Sometimes I would just be sitting there and Granger or Weasley would reply to me. I couldn't figure it out at first. Then I just started trying to send what I was thinking. I've learned to control it since then.”

“So, you've been able to read my thoughts?”

Harry seemed to shrink back at the angry tone. “Yes,” he finally answered quietly. “But I haven't. Just because I can, doesn't mean I will.” Though his voice was quiet, his eyes were angry.

“I never said you did.” Snape could tell that the subject was touchy.

“You implied it, which is why I didn't want to say anything.” Harry glared before pulling the blanket back over his head to calm down.

“Now you've done it, Sev.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“From everything we've seen in the past two days, you should know he's sensitive about these things.”

“I'd appreciate it if you'd stop talking about me as though I'm not here. I've gotten that enough in my life, thanks very much. What's next?”

“Is there anything else about you that you've been hiding?”

“I can see auras. I can see other people's emotions once I tap into them, though I'm not sure I can turn it off at will.”

“We can train you on that. Have you ever felt or seen emotions?”

“I think so. I think I turned on Weasley's, but I'm not sure. When I concentrate, his aura looks red, though his first level just shows his power like everyone else. I haven't tried on anyone else. I'd rather get rid of the sight of his emotions.

“All you need to do is pull the feeling in. Doing that will allow you to feel the emotions instead of seeing them. This will also give you control over when you feel it.”

“I don't really wanna practice on Weasley.”

“Call Draco's emotional aura up.”

“What?”

“You're going to use Draco to practice on, now call up his aura.”

Pouting, Harry focused his gaze to the blond, calling the first level up. He was greeted with the familiar sight he had told said Slytherin about. “I've got it, but how do you want me to call up the deeper levels?”

“Just concentrate. Remember how you were telling me about Blaise being a romantic. Find that level for me, then push deeper.” Draco smiled reassuringly.

Nodding a little, Harry concentrated, focusing on the blond as he called forth the other areas. “Okay, I've got it.”

“What is he feeling?”

“It's a light blue. I don't know what that color means. Oh, wait, it's changing to a light pink.”

“Now, draw the colors into you. You should be able to tap into his feelings once you take them in.”

Green eyes narrowed in concentration, trying to pull the faint pink towards himself. “It's not working. It feels like water falling through my fingers.” He nearly jumped when he felt the couch dip as Snape sat beside him, a hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

“Show me what you see,” came the soft command. A mental picture of Draco appeared in his mind, surrounded by shifting colors, a deep green being the most prominent. `Green with envy, Mr. Potter.' “All right, show me what you've been doing.”

`Why would he be jealous?' Harry reached out again, the color falling into his hands once more only to start to slip away. “See?” he asked as the last of the green slipped back to the blond.

“Once you get it in your hands, absorb it before it falls back to him.” He watched as Harry followed his directions again. `I'm touching you and he's not.'

The green flared a little as it touched Harry's hands, pulsing gently in time to Harry's heart as it began to flow into him. The Gryffindor gasped as he felt the blond's emotions. He was indeed jealous. Smiling as the color faded, Harry turned his gaze to his professor. “It worked. I feel what he does.” A flash of apprehension raced through him before it was tamped down at the source. “You don't have to worry, Draco. I'm working on it.”

“Now that you can feel it, try turning it off.”

“Like a light switch?” Harry asked.

“Yes.”

Nodding again, Harry pictured the area where Draco's emotions were strongest. Then he pictured a light switch, currently on. Pushing lightly, he flipped it and, like a light being turned off, Draco's emotions disappeared from his mind. Grinning, he flicked the switch again and felt Draco's amusement.

“You think I'm funny?”

“Of course not.” Draco couldn't resist grinning.

“I can feel your amusement.”

“What, can't turn it off?”

“Already did, but I turned it back on.”

“Turn it off, nosy.” He glared half-heartedly as Harry grinned.

“Someone's pouting.”

“Am not.”

“Oh, well darn. And here I was just about to say you look cute when you pout. Never mind then.”

“Ahem. Flirt later. Try doing the same to me. You need to be able to do this to more than Draco.”

Sobering immediately, Harry turned his surprised gaze to his professor. He nodded slowly before concentrating. He called up the first aura, unsure of whether he should examine it or not. He continued, making a mental note to himself to look at it later. He delved into the deeper levels until he reached the place he needed. A calm blue surrounded the Potions master with bits of red, green, pink, and black flickering in and out. He tried drawing the color towards himself, but it refused to move. He pulled harder, but lost his grip again. “Quit being stubborn,” he muttered, tugging at it harder than before. With a yelp, he lost his grip, falling off the couch at the recoil. He landed in a heap of blankets on the floor.

Glaring, Harry sat up, scrambling back onto the couch. He latched onto Snape, concentrating as he growled under his breath. “Come here!” In his mind, he saw his fingers entwined with the Potions master's aura as he pulled at it. He felt Draco's jealousy flare again as he moved closer still. Slowly the blue melted into his fingers until it had left his vision completely, leaving him open to feel the emotions. Harry suddenly relaxed into the couch, overwhelmed with the intense calm that radiated from Snape. A tinge of worry shot through the calm as he let go, eyes fluttering shut as he curled into the blanket.

“Harry?”

“Mm…”

“What…?” Draco was a little worried with the way Harry was acting.

“Well, did you get through?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Why do you look stoned?”

“Because, unlike you, Draco, his emotions don't flash back and forth like strobe lights on speed. He's actually calm. I don't think I've ever been so at ease.”

“Oh, so you can't relax around me?”

“Draco, I can't erase six years of animosity overnight. Can't you tell I already have relaxed around you?” It was true—he couldn't get rid of the anger that had been between the Slytherin and himself so quickly. Snape had been the same way, however the intense calm radiating from him had brought Harry to complete relaxation though he hadn't meant to. He was trying not to worry, but he could feel the blond's sorrow. “I'm trying. I feel more at ease around you, and I know I don't have to worry.”

“Can you turn my aura off?”

Looking back at his professor, Harry tried the same trick he had with Draco, but the switch refused to move. No matter how hard he pushed at the switch, it stayed on. He shook his head in response. “It's stuck.”

“Try something else.”

Green eyes narrowed as Harry started thinking. Finally he decided. Slowly, the feelings faded until they disappeared. He grinned. “It worked.”

“What did you do?”

“Just pictured your emotions as the sun and then watched it set. Your feelings slowly faded with the light.”

“And can you turn it back on?”

Just as before, Harry pictured the sun, only this time, it was rising, and just as before, Snape's emotions slowly filtered back in, still as calm as before, though a tinge of pride was added, partially hidden, as if the Potions master was trying to bury it. Leaving the emotions alone, he turned his attention back to his teacher. “Yeah, I can feel them again. Draco, quit pouting. With the way your emotions bounce around, I'm surprised I don't have a headache yet.” Sighing, he got up, walked to the blond, and sat on his lap, pleased when he felt shock from both Slytherins. “Better?”

“Potter…Harry, I want you to leave this sense on. Start pulling in everyone's emotions. Yes, even Weasley's and Granger's. It might come in handy, and in any case, you'll get rid of the red aura you've been seeing. I think it'd be best if you start with Dumbledore and the other professors, then move to the students. Go a little at a time so you can get used to each person. You'll be able to tell who each emotion belongs to.”

“But I don't want to know what everyone is feeling. I don't think I'll be able to handle it.”

“Try fading the feelings. If it works, you'll be able to feel only strong emotions.”

“How do I know if it works?” Harry asked as he pushed the emotions from both men to the back of his mind until he couldn't feel anything. If he closed his eyes, he could still see two pale lights in the distance.

“One of us needs to have a strong emotion.” After a moment of consideration, Snape smirked. `Harry, I'm going to hug you.'

`What?!'

`Just watch.'

Before Harry could protest, Snape was across the room, pulling the Gryffindor off of Draco's lap and into his arms. Instantly, Harry was hit with a tidal wave of jealousy and anger. He was snatched back to his seat on the Slytherin's lap, pale arms wrapping around his waist to prevent his godfather from repeating his action. `Point taken.'

“Draco…” He felt the blond shake his head against him. “You can let go now.” He felt another shake even as the strong emotions began to fade. “No, he's not a pervert. He was proving a point.” He blushed when he felt surprise from the blond. “Sorry, didn't mean to pry. He was trying to make you really mad so we could see if I could feel your strong emotions. No worries about that. I read you loud and clear.” He placed a sweet kiss on Draco's cheek before turning to glare lightly at his teacher. “And you—who said you could hug me?”

“It worked, didn't it?”

Harry was pacified when he felt embarrassment and regret coming from his professor once he adjusted the emotions to the front again. “I guess I can forgive you. And, Draco, let go. I'll stay put. At least loosen up; I'm gonna have bruises.” When Draco did nothing, Harry started squirming around, trying to get the blond to loosen his grip. It didn't work. He did however feel a spark of pleasure shoot through him, making his face heat up, stilling his movements immediately.

Coughing, he avoided eye contact with an amused professor, not that he looked amused, but Harry could feel it. He did the only thing he could. He stuck his tongue out and pouted.

“Now who's pouting?”

“I have every right, so there. And will you let up?”

“No.”

“I think that's enough for today. Harry, tomorrow things have to go back to normal for the three of us. We have to appear to still hate you.”

“The last thing we need is the Gryffindors knowing about us, or rather, this whole situation and me.”

“Remember what I said. Start with Dumbledore and the staff, then move through the students.”

“Why was it so hard to pull your emotions away?”

“I was holding on to them. I knew it was coming so instead of just allowing you to take it, I made you fight for it. This will help you if someone else's aura refuses to come to you.”

Harry stood, or rather, tried to. Draco refused to let go of him. He sighed, resigned to staying put until the blond decided to let him go, which apparently wasn't anytime soon. He watched as Snape nodded before he returned to his lab, shutting the door, leaving them their privacy.

“He's gone now.”

“Yeah.”

“So he's not going to make wide, crazy, passionate love me in front of you while you sit helplessly by and are forced to watch.” Harry grinned as Draco almost growled, but squealed when he felt the arms around him tighten even more. “Draco…” he whimpered.

Immediately, the blond loosened his grip. “Sorry,” he mumbled, feeling ashamed of his actions.

“No worries. My ribs are just tender from this summer.”

Draco turned the Gryffindor around to look at him, silver eyes drifting over tan features, as if he was committing everything to memory. “I don't want things to go back to normal. I don't want to hate you again. I don't want to.”

“We won't hate each other. I know it'll just be a mask, that you really do like me.”

“Wherever did you get an idea like that?”

“Well, the fact that you refuse to let me go might be a hint. Or, the fact that you flare with jealousy every time your godfather touches me. Or, the fact that when I've had a nightmare or something, you've held me close.”

“And your point is?”

“Prat. Just admit that you like me.”

“Fine…I like you. Happy now?”

Harry smiled and pecked Draco on the cheek with a soft kiss, barely touching him. He was graced with the blond's embarrassment but hidden beneath it was pleasure.

“Ewwy, boy germs,” the Slytherin groaned, glaring playfully until he was glomped by the green-eyed Gryffindor.

“I knew it. I knew you liked me, Draco. Like I said, things won't go back to how they were.” He smiled as the arms around him loosened until they were surrounding him lightly. “Don't worry about Snape and me. Besides, I think he already likes someone else.”

“What? Who is it?”

“Well, I'm not even sure he likes someone, but when I saw his aura, before pulling it in, it had a little pink in it for affection, but it wasn't directed at either of us.”

“So he has a crush on someone? Severus? My godfather?”

“Yeah. I think so. But leave him be about it. He'll probably turn away from any feelings if he knows we know. I'll keep my eyes on him. Maybe I'll find out who he likes and then we can play Cupid.”

“You're such a bad boy, interfering with people's love lives. And you're plotting against him, no less. You really should be in Slytherin.”

“Once I get this emotion thing under control, I'll do a read on Slytherin to see if they're open to me. I don't want to change houses if I'm gonna be killed in my sleep.”

“So the teachers, then Slytherins?”

“Then Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. I think I'd like to know if they're plotting against me. Ravenclaw is the only neutral house. I'll save them for last.” He suddenly squeaked as a lone finger ran up his chest. “Draco!”

“Problem, Harry?” he murmured quietly into the Gryffindor's ear, warm breath sending chills down the teen's back.

“N-no. Of course not.” He wiggled again before snuggling back into the Slytherin. “You really do make a good pillow.” Harry wrapped the blanket tighter around his shoulders as his gaze fell to the fire, watching the flames dance.

“And a blanket,” he quipped back, unwrapping the Slytherin quilt from around the teen. He shushed Harry's protests as he brought the comforter around the both of them. “See? Aren't you warmer now?”

“Much. You're so good to me, Draco. So sweet and adorable and cute and…”

“No more. I'm devilishly handsome, amazingly sexy. Not cute, not adorable, not sweet…”

“Yes, you are. You are everything I said and what you said. But also pretty and gorgeous and drop-dead sexy.”

“I said sexy.”

“I'm emphasizing cause you're double sexy.”

“Again, I'm not pretty or gorgeous.”

“They mean aesthetically pleasing, so if you're not pretty and gorgeous, can you be sexy or handsome? Nope. But above all, you're beautiful.” Harry couldn't help but be pleased when he felt Draco flush with embarrassment and pleasure. “And I'm not lying. You really are.”

“And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“You're pretty, beautiful, gorgeous…everything you said about me times ten.”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Yeah-huh. You have no idea how…how…effeminate you are. Blaise has told me several times he'd shag you in an instant, given the chance. I swear you had a fan club of worshiping girls twice as big as mine before you came out of the closet. Now you have every guy watching you, even the straight ones. You don't know how many times I've wanted to hex the Weasel for staring at you.”

“Ron?”

“Yeah. I don't care if he claims to hate gays; he's completely lusting after you. For once, I actually like the Weasley twins.”

“Why…?”

“Have you not noticed?” When he was answered with a blank stare, he smirked as he remembered exactly why he needed to thank the twins. “I did something that was very un-Slytherin like…or perhaps only too Slytherin-like.”

“What exactly are you talking about?”

“Well, I'd been planning on including you in it until the term started and you weren't part of the trio any longer.”

“Draco…” Harry whined, curiosity taking over.

“I approached the twins on our first trip to Hogsmeade. Their shop intrigued me, so I went in. At first they weren't too happy to see me…but after I had a conversation with them, they seemed to warm up a lot. I told them I required their assistance in playing a trick on their brother. They didn't want to help until I told them he was being a right bastard to you for being gay. They were only too willing to assist me in my revenge.”

“What do you have them doing for you?”

“They needed a test subject for their new products. They agreed that their brother was the perfect target. All I have to do is report what happens. They want to know if what they send works.”

“You're horrible.” Even though he was trying to reproach the blond, a smile broke out despite his efforts to try and hide it. “I thought you said you didn't know I was gay?” he said, remembering their first conversation in the bath.

“Oops. What can I say? I forgot about this until now. I haven't been in the Great Hall to see the festivities for the past two days, and the twins haven't sent anything for a bit. Besides, it didn't seem really important.”

“So you knew I was gay but pretended you didn't?”

“Pretty much, yeah. But I didn't care when I found out, and I still don't care now. Truthfully, I had assumed it about you way before you came out.”

“Oh, hush. You shouldn't have lied. I think you deserve the silent treatment.”

“No, Harry, don't do that. I'm sorry, okay?” Draco was pouting, trying to play it off, but he really was distressed.

“You'll have to make it up to me.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah. You'll have to make it up by doing something for me.”

“Like what?”

“I don't know, but when I figure it out, I'll tell you.”

“Yeah, yeah. You do that.”

The pair grew quiet as they watched the fire. Snape came through a couple of times, pretending to be doing something. Harry told the blond that the Potions master was spying on them. Draco wasn't amused, but Harry was. He found it funny that their cold professor was waiting to see them finally kiss.

Wrapped up in Draco's arms, curled up under a blanket in front of a fire, Harry became drowsy, eyes drooping closed as he sighed in comfort.

“Don't fall asleep on me.”

“Comfy…don' wanna move.”

“Just don't fall asleep.”

“But, I wanna fall 'sleep.”

Draco finally smiled indulgently. He shifted Harry around until the Gryffindor was curled upon his lap like an overgrown kitten. He almost chuckled at the mental image he conjured of Harry with a tail and cat ears.

“What's s'funny?” he mumbled.

“Nothing.” The Slytherin decided to placate the boy by running his fingers through the black locks and down to his neck. He almost jumped when he heard something from the other teen that sounded suspiciously like a purr. When his hand stilled, he swore the Gryffindor meowed. He grinned again as he brushed his fingers through the still slightly damp, silky, black waves.

“Glad I 'muse you.” Harry let out a huge yawn and stretched out like a cat before curling back up on Draco's lap. “Keep that up and I'll be 'sleep right here,” he mumbled, trying to stay awake.

“I don't think I mind anymore. Go ahead and sleep.”

“Be here tomorrow?”

“I'll be here to wake you up. How does that sound?”

“Mm-hmm.” Harry's breathing was already slowing and becoming regular and even.

“Sleep. Don't worry about tomorrow. We'll get though it together.”

“You know, if someone saw you like this, they'd almost believe you care for him. But of course, that can't be. Or has Draco Malfoy finally fallen for someone other than himself?”

“And you, Severus? Faking concern for him? Or is it genuine?”

“I think we both know the truth, Draco. He's gotten to both of us.”

“Yeah, but is that a bad thing?”

“No, I think he'll be good for us. He's what we both need.”

“Yeah. But he needs us too. I don't think he could have gone through this thing alone.” Draco turned his gaze back to the slumbering teen. He was faintly purring as Draco's fingers threaded through his hair and gently traced light touches over his neck.

“Is he your pet now, Draco? An overgrown feline for you to pamper, perhaps?”

“You don't think he'll be turning into a cat, do you?”

“No, I have a hunch on the first one, but only a hunch. I'll be watching him this week to see if there are any visible changes. If he is what I think he is, there will be a few obvious differences with his looks and a few that aren't so obvious.”

“How do you know already?”

“Something that happened earlier. I'll have to do a little research. Watch him for yourself. You may figure it out as well.”

“Spoilsport.” Draco smiled softly even through his pout. “How will we talk to him? No one can know we don't hate him.”

“We'll just have to play it by ear. I'll most likely give him a detention so we can talk without worry. We can't exactly come to his room every night. We'll work it out, Draco. Don't worry—you'll still get to stare at each other.”

“Sev!”

“It's true, and you know it. Don't bother trying to deny it.”

“I'm not going to start a relationship when he has someone out there for him. His mate, remember?”

“Don't push him away, Draco. Let things happen.” After receiving a nod, Severus stood, looking down at his godson. “Put him to bed, then get some rest yourself. As much as you may not like it, you still have classes tomorrow.”

“Night, Sev.” Draco stood slowly, Harry curled up in his arms. The Gryffindor was so small and fragile compared to even him. Nodding at his godfather, Draco walked off, putting the black-haired boy to bed before joining him. He didn't protest when Harry curled up against him, just wrapped his arms around him and followed him to sleep.