A/N: Hey guys, I'm so so so sorry that it's taken me so long to update! God, it's been over a year – a very busy year, however. I have moved out of my parents' house and into a flat with my boyfriend, left school and started a full-time job. Working so much makes it hard to find as much time to write but I promise that you will not be waiting so long for the next update. I'll try to make this chapter worth the wait! Let me know what you guys think – as always, vegan goodies and a chocolate covered Harry and Draco to the best review :P Love you guys, Jess xox
Disclaimer: If I owned Harry and Draco, do you really think I'd be sitting here writing stories for you schmucks?
Warnings: Yep, even more slash in this chapter. God, they're naughty!
Chapter Seven
Draco's POV
New Year came and went. December slid into January, which quickly gave way to February, bringing with it howling winds and driving rain that turned the thick layer of fluffy white snow that blanketed the ground into icy grey slush. Most people had retreated to the warmth of their Common Room to study or play chess, but Harry and Draco had found other ways to entertain themselves, or – more accurately – each other...
"We'll get caught," hissed Harry
"No we won't, nobody ever comes up here," Draco assured him
"If Madam Pince hears anything she'll come charging up here and we'll be in serious trouble."
"Then you'd better shut up, hadn't you?" Draco smirked, pushing the other boy towards the back of the library and into a narrow aisle between the book stacks. Looking about to make sure nobody was watching, Draco quickly followed him into the dusty space. Harry looked at him uncertainly.
"Are you sure we won't get caught?"
"I promise. No-one ever looks at these books," he whispered, placing kisses on Harry's neck. He slowly travelled lower, trailing kisses along his collarbone, experiencing a twinge of annoyance as Harry refused to relax. He pulled him closer, continuing his ministrations on the tense brunette, but still received no reaction. Draco bit down on his neck, drawing a gasp of pain.
"What was that for?" Harry pulled away, rubbing the angry red mark that had appeared on his skin
"Would you relax?" Draco glared at him, "Do you not want to do this?"
"Sort of, I just think -"
"Sort of?!" Draco whispered angrily "What do you mean sort of?"
"I just think there are better places for this sort of thing," Harry replied quietly
"Okay, we'll stop then," the blond took a step back and folded his arms
For a moment the two boys gazed at each other, each too stubborn to look away. Draco fought the urge to smirk as he watched Harry fidget slightly as though torn between whether or not to stay. The stood in silence for a while as Harry's logic battled with his desire to stay where he was and it didn't take much to sway him. Draco cocked an eyebrow suggestively and Harry laughed, taking a step forward to close the gap between them, all apprehension forgotten.
Pushing him up against the shelf, Harry began to tug at Draco's shirt, indicating that he wanted to remove the offending garment. More than willing to oblige, Draco broke the kiss and began to lift his shirt when he heard an odd rustling noise.
"What was that?" he asked, his grey eyes wide
"I didn't hear anything," replied Harry, who was now nuzzling into Draco's neck.
It was Draco's turn to tense up and stand, unmoving, as his neck was licked and gently bitten. A few moments passed and, unable to hear anything further, he relaxed, allowing his shirt to be tugged over his head and pulled Harry into a fierce kiss, their tongues fighting for dominance. The blond tugged on Harry's bottom lip with his teeth, causing him to moan and grind his hips against him. Draco smirked and pushed back, causing Harry to stumble backwards, knocking a few books to the floor. Laughing, Draco caught his mouth in another burning kiss, running his tongue along the shorter boy's swollen lower lip. Twisting a hand through messy black hair, the Slytherin slid the other between them and deftly unbuttoned the Gryffindor's trousers, letting them fall to his ankles. Draco sniggered as Harry's stick-like legs were exposed, causing him to blush.
"Shut up," he said defensively
"I didn't say a word," Draco said innocently "but Jesus, Potter, you're bloody skinny."
"I can't help it," he snapped, folding his arms across his chest and frowning
"I'm not making fun!" Draco insisted "And don't pout, it make's you look like a child."
Harry smiled and shoved him playfully, "Look; now you've killed the mood."
"Well, I can fix that," Draco purred, pulling him closer.
-rustle rustle-
There it was again. The same noise as before, but louder this time. He pulled away.
"Did you hear that?"
"I... hear what?" Harry looked confused for a moment, "Wait, is that –"
-rustle rustle-
"Shit, someone's coming!" Draco whispered, panicked, "I swear, I've never known anyone to come up here!"
Torn between redressing and staying still, the two boys stood in their somewhat compromising position, praying that they wouldn't be found. The footsteps grew louder until they were acutely aware of movement on the other side of the shelves. Hours seemed to drag by as they stood, listening intently and hardly daring to breathe. Draco felt his heart stop as the person on the other side slid a book off the shelf and looked at him, her brown eyes wide. Hermione's jaw dropped and her book slid from her hand, landing at her feet with a gentle thump. For a moment the three stared, not knowing what to say. Harry opened his mouth to speak, to say anything that would break this awful silence but before he could make a sound Hermione had turned and almost sprinting towards the door.
Harry shakily pulled his trousers on, fumbling with the button, and tried desperately to flatten his hair.
"Harry, I'm really sorry..." Draco looked anxiously at him, his grey eyes filled with worry
"It's alright," Harry assured him, "Well, I hope it is. I just have to find her and explain."
"Go," Draco kissed him briefly and pushed him towards the door.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Harry's POV
"Hermione!" Harry called as she turned the corner, "Hermione, slow down!"
Breaking into a run, Harry rounded the corner and chased her along the corridor. Following her through a tapestry at the end of the hall he caught her arm just before she reached the Grand Staircase.
"Hermione, stop."
She turned to face him, not meeting his eyes.
"Harry, let's not do this," she said pleadingly
"We have to. I have to explain," he said, letting go of her
"There's really no need," she replied awkwardly, "whatever you were doing back there is none of my business -"
"But you're my best friend, you have a right to know what's going on," he cut across her
She sighed. Together they began to make their way towards the Common Room. Walking in silence Harry wondered what he would say next. How should he phrase it? Are he and Draco seeing each other? Is he his boyfriend? Partner? Did he love him? Harry wasn't even sure if he knew how to answer any questions she might have. In truth, he wasn't ready for his friends to know yet. Not that it matters now, he thought as he looked at Hermione. They climbed the stairs in silence, Harry trying to find a way to explain.
"Chocolate éclair," he offered to the Fat Lady, who smiled and granted them access. Pulling himself through the Portrait Hole, Harry crossed the Common room and sat at an empty table in the corner. He exhaled shakily; he hadn't realised he was holding his breath. Taking a seat across from him, Hermione seemed to have calmed down. She no longer looked awkward and embarrassed, now her brown eyes were filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry Harry, I shouldn't have reacted that way," she said quietly
"Don't worry about it, anyone would have reacted like that," Harry replied
"Still, I -" she began but Harry cut across her
"Honestly, it's fine. How were you supposed to react? It was embarrassing for all of us."
There was a pause.
"How long has it been going on?" Hermione asked tentatively
It was Harry's turn to look awkward. Turning to look out of the window he considered lying, telling her it was a mistake, a one-time thing, but as he opened his mouth, he couldn't bring himself to lie to his best friend.
"A couple of months," he answered, still not looking at her
Hermione made a noise of disbelief, "A couple of months? I just... I don't understand. I mean, it's Malfoy!" She said, lowering her voice
"I know," he mumbled, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
Harry turned to face her. "I didn't mean for you to find out that way and I certainly didn't plan any of this."
"I know you didn't, I just don't know why you felt you couldn't tell me," she said gently, placing her hand over his.
"I thought you'd be disgusted," he admitted, not meeting her gaze
"Oh, Harry, you're my best friend, I just want you to be happy!" she said, smiling, "And if that means accepting that you're gay, then -"
"That's the thing though, I don't know if I am," he said, cutting her off.
Another pause.
"But you and Malfoy..." she trailed off looking puzzled
"I know it sounds weird but I'd never been attracted to another guy until last year. I still like girls, I just really like him too," he explained shyly
"That doesn't sound weird at all. Most people have feelings for someone of the same sex at some point in their life," she assured him, squeezing his hand.
Harry caught her eyes and the pair smiled at one another. After a few moments, Hermione's smile faded.
"Have you thought about how you're going to tell Ron?" She asked seriously
"Tell me what?" Ron asked cheerfully, throwing himself down beside his girlfriend.
"Oh, nothing. It's not important," Harry replied, pulling his hand away from Hermione's
"Harry..." she said warningly
"It's nothing," he insisted, "It's fine, really."
"Harry, I -"
"Just leave it, okay?" Harry glared at her
Ron looked at each of them, his grin faltering. "What's going on?"
"Harry?" Hermione raised an eyebrow
"What's happened?" Ron pressed
"Harry's seeing someone," Hermione announced
"Hermione!" Harry gaped at her open-mouthed
"What? He has to know and I'm not going to lie to him," she said matter-of-factly
"Exactly, I need to know these things!" Ron said, grinning, "Come on then, anyone I know?"
"You could say that. I don't think here is the best place for it though," Harry looked around nervously
"Oh come on, Harry, we're supposed to be mates!" the redhead punched his shoulder, "Who is it?"
"Really, if we could just go somewhere else..." He looked at his friend pleadingly
Ron paused, "If you're messing my sister about again -"
"No, no, it's not that!" Harry looked at Hermione for support, but she merely shrunk back against the wall mouthing I'm sorry. He sighed, admitting defeat.
"It's Malfoy," he mumbled, lowering his head into his hands.
"What? What was that?" Ron asked
Harry cleared his throat, "Malfoy. It's Malfoy." He repeated, louder this time. He looked up, expecting to see Ron's face filled with disgust but his friend merely gave a loud laugh.
"Come on, mate, I'm not letting you off the hook that easily!"
Harry smiled weakly, "Seriously."
Ron looked at him, "What?" he asked, the grin falling from his face as Hermione nodded, "Seriously? You're seeing Malfoy?"
Slowly, Harry nodded.
"But I... that's... that's so wrong!" Ron jumped up, "How could you?"
"Ron, please," Harry glanced around at the people who were staring
"Oh I'm sorry, am I making you feel uncomfortable?" he said sarcastically
"Ron, please just sit down," Hermione tugged at his sleeve but he shook her off.
"How could you do something like that?"
"What? Is this because I'm seeing a guy?" Harry got to his feet as well
"Don't do that," said Ron
"Do what?" Harry snapped
"Don't you dare turn this around on me," he glared at the brunette
"What? I'm not -"
"You know fine well that I'm no homophobe and that it's nothing to do with the fact that you're dating a bloke. I'm not the bad guy in all of this. It's you that's, quite literally, sleeping with the enemy," spat Ron
"He's on our side now, Ron," Harry reminded him
"Oh, so that makes up for the fact that he's been a bastard to us for the last six years, does it?"
"Don't you think we've talked about all of this?" Harry cried
"I don't want to know what you've been talking about, mate," Ron sneered, "I don't understand how you can go from hating someone to shagging them in a matter of weeks,"
"It's not like that!" insisted Harry
"No? Well, what is it like? In fact, I don't want to know," Ron added, looking disgusted, "I just don't get it."
"I don't need you to get it, I just need you to accept that I'm happy!" Harry replied, taking his seat
"I just don't think I can. I'm glad you're happy but I refuse to accept Malfoy as anything but a stuck-up, arrogant arsehole. I'm sorry," Ron mumbled the last part before disappearing through the door to the dormitories.
"He'll come around eventually," Hermione said, placing her hand on his forearm, "He's just in shock. Everything will be alright."
"I hope so," Harry said, not just thinking of things between him and Ron.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Oh, for shame, Ron! Isn't he bad? Poor Harry.
What did you think then? Worth the wait? Probably not but I promise you regular updates from now on, okay? Please review, it's what keeps me going : xox