JKR owns

Moonlight and Roses

chapter 3

Harry's eyes bolted open when he felt the blankets being pulled off of him. He sat up and looked over at Draco, and sure enough, he was tossing and turning, the sheets tangled around him. Harry reached over and tried to wake him, because before long, he would begin thrashing around. It was the nightmares that caused this. They had plagued Draco ever since he was young, and he just couldn't handle them well. Harry could only guess at what kinds of things were in Draco's nightmares, and quite frankly he didn't really want to know. The gruesome scenes in his own nightmares were enough for him.

Harry slid over closer to Draco, and tried waking him. It wasn't working, and before long, he began wildly flailing around. He kept saying things like "no, please, no." over and over again. Harry sighed, he dreaded these episodes. Using as much strength as he could muster, he pulled Draco close to him and cradled him against his chest, pinning down his arms. These were the times when Harry wanted to put his head in his hands and give up. But, every time he looked at Draco in this state, he felt a piece of his heart shatter. Draco helped Harry more than he could ever know, and he knew that Draco deserved that kind of help in return. He tried his hardest to give that to him. Draco just wasn't equipped to his nightmares as well as Harry was able to. He wasn't at peace; he had too many unanswered questions. He was left wondering "why?", and it didn't help that his family wasn't around to support him. Harry knew that the least he could do was give Draco his love and support, but he wished he could do more for him.

After a while, Harry felt Draco stop struggling. He looked down at his face and he felt like his heart was being torn from his chest. Draco's face was bathed in the moonlight, his eyes shining with tears. It was so tragically beautiful. Harry felt a tear slide down his cheek as he looked into Draco's eyes. He had so much pain inside, and Harry wished with all his heart that he could take that pain away. Harry lay down and pulled Draco closer. With their arms wrapped around each other, their silent tears lulled them back into sleep.

Harry stood in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee. He looked out the window at the pastel colors in the sky as the sun rose. He smiled, it was quite pretty. But, then he sighed. Everything pretty seemed to remind him of Draco, the sunrise, a perfect red rose, the moon. It made him feel like a sap, but he couldn't help it, he loved him so much. But, something had been bothering him, after what Draco had said the night before. It had really made him think about everything, and now he was wondering now himself, if what he was doing was right. He knew that Draco loved him, but he also knew that Draco still had deep, unhealed scars. He couldn't help but feel selfish, for wanting to keep Draco all for himself. What if someone else could give Draco what he needed? Harry felt like Draco deserved more that what he could give him.

He knew what bothered Draco the most though, was that people still didn't accept that they were together, and probably never would. They both got the feeling sometimes, that people didn't take their relationship seriously, and they had the suspicion that people thought that they were just going through a phase or something and that they wouldn't last much longer. Harry hated that nothing could ever be simple or normal with them. Draco deserved to have some element of normalcy after all of the completely horrid stuff they had been through, and Harry hated even more that he couldn't give that to him.

The sound of Draco's footsteps, as he walked into the kitchen, brought Harry's attention back from his thoughts.

"Hey." Draco said, as he stood against the counter next to Harry.

"'Morning." Harry replied. He noticed that Draco's hair was sticking up a bit, and smiled. Draco looked out the window, smiling as he looked out over the sparkling wintery landscape.

"It's really beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Harry replied, without taking his eyes off of Draco's face, "it is."

They stood there for a few moments, silently, lost in their thoughts. Before he could stop himself, Harry blurted out,

"Do you believe in soul mates?" A blush instantly began creeping up his cheeks. Draco looked confused for a few seconds, and then answered.

"I don't really know. I mean I guess I've just always assumed that my parents would set up a marriage for me, so I never really thought about things like that. Why, do you?"

"I don't really know either," Harry replied, "to me it always seemed like I would end up with Ginny or something, because that's what people thought, or how they thought it should be. So I'm not sure."

Draco was silent for a few moments, and then he looked at Harry's face and smiled. "Why would I go looking for something that I don't even know exists, when I've got everything I could ever want right here."

Harry was taken aback. He almost thought that tears would begin to spill from his eyes. That was, perhaps, the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to him.

"Do you really feel that way?" Harry managed to choke out.

Draco laughed, "Of course I do, you little prat." He pulled Harry towards him, and they wrapped their arms around each other.

Harry chuckled. "You know, you are the only one who has ever made me feel this way."

"What way?"

"Like, I feel the urge to go all poetic and say something really corny."

Draco laughed. "Well, go ahead."

Harry smiled, "Okay, when I'm around you, it seems like nothing else matters. When you smile, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and when we kiss, my head spins. I love you like I've never loved anyone before."

He had barely gotten the last word out, when Draco kissed him.

"How was that for making your head spin?"

"It happens every time."

Then, rather shyly, Draco asked, "How do you feel about marriage?"

The guilty feeling came flooding back into Harry's mind; he did not want to talk about this right now. He ran his hand through his hair. He really didn't know what to say. Obviously he loved Draco, and of course he would want to marry him, but he was back to his struggle. Were his reasons selfish, and did Draco deserve better? He finally decided on an answer.

"I hope to get married some day, I guess." He knew that it was kind of a weak answer, but he wasn't ready to share his thoughts with Draco yet, because he cared about him too much.

Draco replied softly, "Yeah, me too."

Harry could sense the wistfulness in his voice, and he couldn't help but think that it had something to do with the look in his eyes the night before; as he watched Ron and Hermione announce their engagement. That little idea popped into his head again. He was so confused, he didn't know how to feel. He was all mixed up inside, he needed to talk to someone about all this, or he feared that he would explode.

To lighten the mood a bit, he asked, "So, what's our plan for today?"

"Well," Draco replied, "it is Christmas eve, so there should be plenty to keep us busy."

Harry nearly felt like smacking his head off the counter. How could he have forgotten?

"Oh, I can't believe I forgot." He groaned.

Draco laughed. "Well, I've got some last minute things to do, and I'm guessing you do too." He said, winking as he walked out of the kitchen.

Harry sighed as set his coffee cup down in the sink. Today would be a good day to pay Mrs. Weasley a visit; she was bound to have some words of wisdom for him.

*******

As soon as Draco had left, Harry hurriedly got ready and headed over to the burrow. As soon as he got there, he could tell that everyone was very busy, and he almost decided that it wasn't the best time. But, before he had time to change his mind, Mrs. Weasley saw him.

"Harry! I'm so glad you came by!" She said excitedly, as she gave him a quick hug. "I could really use your help. Mysteriously, everyone else had somewhere to be." She laughed.

Harry couldn't turn her down, even though he couldn't blame the others for not wanting to be there. So, he agreed to help her, because there was clearly a lot to do. They began in the kitchen, as Mrs. Weasley had been baking since that morning. The kitchen smelled wonderful, and there was food laying out cooling in just about every open space. Harry wondered what had happened to the food from the night before. But, he guessed that it had all been eaten, after all, it wouldn't have been hard with Ron being in the house.

They talked while they worked, just light conversation. Harry was trying to find the words to explain to Mrs. Weasley about the real reason he had come. But then, luckily, she sort of brought up the subject.

"Oh yes, all the kids are coming up tonight, we all wanted to spend this Christmas together. You and Draco are coming too right? I mean, you are part of the family too."

Harry wasn't really surprised by the question, or rather, statement, because he knew she wasn't really asking. He had always spent Christmas with the Weasleys, and he was glad that Draco was welcome to be there too.

"Yeah, of course," he replied, "but, um, I kind of wanted to talk to you about that, Draco I mean."

She set down the rolling pin she had been using, and looked at him. He guessed that she could sense his desperation, because she wiped her hands on his apron, and said, "Come, let's go sit down, we deserve a break anyway."

They went out into the living room and settled down on the old, comfy couch.

"Okay dear, tell me what's bothering you." Mrs. Weasley said, smiling encouragingly.

Harry didn't know how to start. He didn't know how to explain all the emotions swirling around inside of him. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to convey his feelings well enough for her to understand, because he didn't even know what some of his feelings were sometimes. But, he had come here to talk to her about it, so he knew he had to try.

He sighed and began. "I love Draco, more than anything, I really do. It's just that sometimes I feel guilty…I don't know, I feel like he deserves better. I wish that I could give him more. He's been through so much, we all have, and I know that at times, we both wish that things could just be normal." He paused, not knowing how to put his thoughts and feelings into words. He knew what he had to say next, but he was dreading it, because these were the things that hurt him most of all. In a quiet voice, he continued, "If things had been normal…we wouldn't have been together. I'm afraid…that this will only bring us more pain. People have never accepted our relationship, most probably never will, and I just don't know how much more we can take. Is it even possible for two people who aren't supposed to be together to be in love like this? I just don't know what to do." He felt tears welling up in his eyes, and when he looked at Mrs. Weasley, she looked like she was on the verge of tears too. She reached over and gently grasped his hands.

"Harry, I have never doubted that what you feel for Draco is real. It is so heart wrenching, that you feel like you aren't good enough for Draco! I don't care what anyone says, it is plain to see that you two belong together. Don't think for a second that you don't because of all of these 'what if's'. You can't live life that way, thinking about what could have happened. What happened is what happened, and you can't change that.

Harry, you are the best thing that has ever happened to Draco, and I don't understand why you can't see that. The way he looks at you, it seems as if you are his whole world. You have helped each other heal. Whenever you are together, you both seem so calm and happy, the happiest I have ever seen you." She paused and looked at him, straight in his eyes. "You both have so many scars from what you went through. But, the worst scars are the ones that form from wounds in the heart."

Tears were streaming down her face now, and she leaned in and hugged Harry. He blinked. It was almost as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining down on him. Why hadn't he realized these things before? Draco was his world, and he was Draco's world. They meant everything to each other. He couldn't picture himself with anyone else, ever. He suddenly knew what the perfect Christmas gift for Draco would be.

*******

Harry paced back and forth across the living room. He reached into his pocket and felt the small velvety box. After he had finished up at the burrow, he had made a quick stop in Diagon Alley, so he could make a few last minute, but extremely important purchases.

He could hear the clock ticking, and with every passing second, he could feel the nervous energy fluttering around inside him. But, it was a good kind of nervous, if in fact that kind of feeling existed. This was going to be, perhaps, the most important night of his life. He had been waiting anxiously for Draco to get home for some time. He was scared though, because this was what he wanted, more than anything he had ever wanted before, and he hoped that Draco felt the same way. Well, of course he did, but was he ready for this, did he want this? Surely the comment he had made earlier meant that he wanted this. All the unanswered thoughts and questions were threatening to drive him crazy.

Just when he thought that he couldn't wait any longer, he heard the familiar poofing sound some form the fireplace. His hand clenched tighter around the box in his pocket as Draco appeared and stepped out of the fireplace. His cheeks were tinted a light pink from being out in the cold, and his hands were full of shopping bags. Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady himself so that he could try and act as normal as possible.

"Hey."

"Hi." Draco replied, holding out some of the bags to Harry. "Help me with these, will you?"

Harry laughed and grabbed the bags, which were heavier than he thought they'd be.

"Merlin Draco, were you trying to buy gifts for half the country?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "What can I say, there were some pretty good sales, and I couldn't just pass them up."

"Of course not." Said Harry as he lugged the bags across the room. They set the bags down in the kitchen, and Draco took off his coat and draped it over the back of a chair.

"So, what are we going to do tonight?" Draco asked as he pulled Harry close and put his arms around him. Harry kissed him, and then whispered, "Come with me." He Grabbed Draco's hand and walked into the living room.

Harry turned off the lights. The moon was especially bright, its silvery light filtered in through the window, illuminating the room. It was perfect, and it was just the way Harry had pictured how it should be. They sat down on the couch. Harry still held Draco's hand as he looked at his face, which was stunning in the moonlight. He couldn't help but recall that first night in the astronomy tower. Draco still looked the same, but yet, in a way he looked different. A lot had changed since that night, they had changed. Harry looked into Draco's eyes, which were the most different. Where there had once been despair, there was now a look of happiness and content. Harry smiled, and realized that Draco was looking a bit confused. He laughed and grabbed both of Draco's hands.

"Draco Malfoy, I love you with all of my heart, and every ounce of my being. I know that we were brought together by pain and longing and things that were out of our control, but, none of that matters now. All that matters is that I want to be with you, I can't see myself with anyone else, and I want to be with you for the rest of our lives." He paused, looking for any kind of reaction. Draco looked puzzled, but he was smiling.

"Harry?"

"Wait, let me finish. I know that sometimes you wish that things were normal, and that people could just accept this. Well, I can't give you normal, nothing about our lives has been normal. And, quite frankly, I stopped caring what people thought a long time ago. But, what I can give you is understanding, a shoulder to cry on, someone to come home to, someone to share the joys and hardships of life with, and most importantly, I can give you love." He looked into Draco's eyes, and was terrified for a moment, because he looked so confused, but then his eyes softened, and he said,

"It sounds like…Harry are you-?"

"Proposing?" Harry said as he pulled out the box and opened the lid, "yeah, I am."

Draco smiled then, as he looked at the ring, which had two interwoven bands. It was gorgeous, and so symbolic.

To Harry's surprise, tears began running down Draco's face. Harry's heart practically broke; it wasn't supposed to be like this.

"Draco, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

Draco rolled his eyes and laughed, "These are tears of joy you prat."

Harry wasn't sure what to think. "So does that mean-?"

But before he could finish, Draco pulled him close and kissed him. The feeling was amazing, it just felt so right.

After they pulled away from each other, Draco said, "I would love to marry you, Harry Potter."

Then, suddenly, Hermione burst into the room. Their heads both snapped in her direction, they hadn't even heard her come in.

"Congratulations! Oh, this is just so wonderful!" She said as she gave both of them hugs. "Molly told us everything." She smiled as she sat down next to them.

"Us?" Harry asked.

Hermione laughed. "Ronald's here, he's hiding over there."

"I am not hiding." Ron said sheepishly as he walked over to them. "I just didn't think that we should disturb them, with this being such an important moment and all."

"Well," Hermione said matter of factly, "they were finished kissing."

Harry felt himself blushing, and he could see that Draco's face was a bit pink too. He cleared his throat.

"Well, one thing's for sure, I can always count on you guys to show up during the most…er, unexpected times."

They all laughed, and then Hermione said, "What are friends for? And, anyway, we have to finalize all the plans."

"You already planned our wedding?" Draco said, amused. "But you just found out."

Hermione grinned. "Well, someone has to do it for you. You both know that you would never get it done by yourselves. I guess I just had the feeling that you two were going to stay together, so while I was organizing my wedding plans, I did a bit for you too."

"What exactly did you plan for us?" Harry asked, because with Hermione you never knew.

"Oh, we're going to have a double wedding of course!" Hermione said excitedly, as if it was obvious that that was what they were going to do.

Harry looked at Draco, he hadn't really thought past the proposal, so he really had no idea what to do about the wedding. Draco seemed to be pondering over the idea, and then he smiled. He reached for Hermione's hand.

"That would be great."

Hermione gave him a quick hug, and then dove right in to telling him all the details. Harry wasn't interested much in all the little wedding details and things, all he really cared about was the ceremony itself. He knew that was how Ron felt too.

He got up off the couch and went over to where his friend was standing.

"Guess we're in the same boat now." Said Ron smiling

"Yeah, this should be interesting." They both laughed.

"Mum is really excited about it though, she loved having Bill and Fleur's wedding at the house."

"I bet. It should be nice."

"It will be."

Harry smiled. "Thanks, Ron, for everything."

"Friends always stick together, mate, I thought you'd have realized that by now." They laughed and went back over to Draco and Hermione.

"Isn't this just great? It's going to be perfect, I've always dreamed of having a wedding with my best friends." Hermione said.

Harry saw Draco's face light up as she said it. He couldn't agree more. Harry grabbed Draco's hands and pulled him up. There, in the moonlight, as the clock struck midnight, they kissed, welcoming in Christmas with the greatest gift of all. They couldn't wait to begin the rest of their lives, together.

The most beautiful thing about a rose is that every year, it comes back, just as stunning and alive as the year before. Draco and Harry's love, like the faithful rose, would continue for many, many years to come.

*Phew* it's finished. I'm really proud of myself for finishing it, its very exciting because i barely ever finish anything i start. I'm so grateful for everyone who read my story, thank you so much. I hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it. Oh, and i'm sorry that this one took so long to put up *blushes*, i was really busy. I know thats a crappy excuse, but i was lol. Thanks again for reading this, and review if you can!

Love ya,

Wynter