Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I've accepted that after months of expensive therapy.

A/N: Sorry this took so long. I've been very busy the past three weeks and afterwards, I got writer's block which lasted for a week! Oh well, hope you read this one if you're not pissed off already. Thanks for the reviews. =)

We All Burn Sometimes

By Passo
( [email protected] )

Epilogue

Setting: a few hours after the events in chapter 12

"Hermione!"

Hermione Granger turned to see Hannah Abbot running down the hall, trying to avoid hitting the students walking to lunch. The blond girl stopped two feet from her, panting from her run. Her round face was flushed pink and her blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Are the rumors true? Everyone is saying that Viktor Krum is here. Well, is he, really? I know you two used to be close that way."

Hermione laughed easily. "Well that was a long time ago, Hannah. But, yes, Viktor is here. He'll be here for a while, I think. He told us that he plans to take a job around here."

"Oh, my God! I can't wait to tell the girls. I swear, they are going to go crazy. Krum is sooo cute. He must look a lot better now than the last time he was here. He's the Quidditch World Cup's new poster boy. So, where is he?"

With a hesitant smile, Hermione angled her head towards the end of the hall. "I'm not sure if you'll be thrilled but…there he is."

Hannah swung around… and froze. For Viktor Krum—Bulgarian Seeker extraordinaire—was indeed walking towards their direction looking very, very yummy in a dark red robe, his dark hair immaculately combed, pale skin glowing. Only, he was walking hand in hand with Ron Weasley (who was glowing happily himself) and the two were so absorbed in looking into each other's eyes that they ignored every single person gawking at them.

The crowd of students parted mechanically to let the lovers pass, their jaws still hanging somewhere around their waists. Uncaring of their reactions, the newly flamboyant Viktor Krum gave Ron a peck on the mouth before they both disappeared into the Great Hall for lunch.

Hermione staggered as a heavy and very unconscious Hannah Abbot fainted right into her arms.

***

Hermione wearily sank to her seat in the Gryffindor table between Harry and Ron. The boys were already eating. Before she dug into her food, she gave a wave and a faint smile over to Blaise at the Slytherin table. He waved back energetically and even blew her a kiss before returning to his conversation with Draco Malfoy. Feeling a lot happier, she started eating with relish.

"You're late. What kept you?" Harry asked, his mouth full of sausages.

"I had to take Hannah Abbot back to the Hufflepuff common room. The poor girl fainted just outside the Great Hall."

"Why???"

"Ask that redhead friend of yours here. He sure made a huge commotion before lunch."

Ron raised his head, his concentration on eating the delicious platter momentarily broken. "What'd I do now?"

Hermione gave him a wan look. "Nothing much. You just managed to make half the school faint with shock with your explicit coming out with Viktor earlier."

Harry snorted with laughter.

Ron shrugged and continued eating. "Well, we told you guys already this morning. And Viktor figured that there's no use hiding it anyway. Besides, he said he wanted everyone to know and… so did I." He blushed softly as he uttered those last words.

Smiling, Hermione patted his back. "Good for you two. I'm really glad for the both of you. I admit I was really surprised at first but I'm happy it's Viktor. We did become friends after his last visit two years ago. He's a great guy, and perfect for you, too, Ron. I'm pleased that you decided to tell everyone as soon as possible which--" She turned accusingly to Harry at her right. "—is more than I can say for this boy here and his boyfriend."

"Hey!" Harry held up his hands defensively. "I'm all for coming out, and so is Draco. But we figured the school is still shocked over Ron and Viktor. There's no use giving them a double whammy all in one day. They'll know, but Draco and I decided to take it slow. It's more exciting that way."

He grinned shyly and snuck a look towards the Slytherin table at his blonde boyfriend. Draco was gesticulating madly with his hands, probably arguing over a nonsense little thing that Blaise and him so loved to do. As usual, he looked divine and Harry felt a tiny tingle travel down his spine just looking at him.

Hermione and Ron both smiled at him.

 "You do look wonderful together, and we're happy that you finally worked things out. Now, lets eat. I'm starving." Hermione ended the conversation matter-of-factly.

The two other Gryffindors were only too happy to comply and they all spent the rest of the lunch period immersed in the feast on the table.

***

Hours later, that night…

Harry's eyes slowly shut as his mind descended to sleep. The next instant, his eyes opened in shock as he felt a hand crawl around his thighs. He reached down and caught the offending limb only to have Draco nibble his ear in response.

"I know we were supposed to sleep in our respective dorms tonight but I couldn't help it. I missed you, Harry."

Groaning, Harry pulled Draco down beside him. The blonde Slytherin happily settled himself under the covers. He was about to start kissing Harry again but a thought made him stop.

"Wait, your roommates, wouldn't they—"

Harry kissed him softly, stopping the words. "They're not here. Ron's with Viktor. Seamus is with Parvati, and I'm almost sure Dean and Neville are shagging somewhere."

"What? Why, that's horrible!" Draco shuddered as he tried to shove the mental image of Dean Thomas' lithe body wrapped around Longbottom. "Are you sure?"

"No. But you never know." He chuckled softly. "Now, where were we?"

Draco boldly grabbed his crotch. "I think we stopped around here."

The conversation ended there. The two were really fortunate that there was no one around for the room was filled with yelps, groans, and moans into the wee hours of the morning as both were too engrossed in each other to bother with any silencing spells. As the grandfather clock chimed the fourth hour of the morning, the lovers, blonde beside brunette, finally settled to sleep with arms wrapped around each other.

***

Harry's eyes fluttered open. He winced momentarily from the sunlight shining directly into his eyes before turning away into a shadier part of the bed. He bumped into Draco's chest. The Slytherin was already awake, watching his boyfriend with leisure.

"Good morning." Draco greeted him with a smile. "Sorry but I won't kiss you 'til you brush your teeth. I'm sure you have horrendous morning breath."

Harry snorted and stretched slowly, straightening out the kinks in his back. Afterwards, he leaned towards the blonde and kissed his neck. "But I can kiss you there," he muttered naughtily.

Draco shoved him away playfully. "Go get a shower or you'll be late for class. No playing this time and before you ask, no, I won't join you or we'll never get out."

Chuckling Harry stood and walked towards the bathroom. As he reached for a towel, he turned back to the bed where Draco was sitting. He stared at his boyfriend for a full minute, remembering how he almost lost Draco just a short time ago. Draco returned his look, lips slowly curving upwards.

"Happy?" he asked Harry. It was such a simple question, but one laden with meaning.

He nodded. "Very." With a spring in his step, Harry walked into the shower. After all, it was a new day—in more ways than one. Who wouldn't be happy?

***

THE END!