Tenderness in a Poem

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO-BREAKUPS AND WAKEUPS

The day after Harry had been released from the Hospital Wing was the best day he had had in quite some time. Sure, things were awkward to begin with, especially with his fixed relationship with Ron, but the two boys soon fell into step together like nothing had happened. Harry also did not have to attend class, thanks to McGonagall, because he needed a day to catch up on the homework he let pile up. It had been such a good day that once it was over, Harry felt depressed. Tomorrow would be the day he went back to class, the day he would have to face the rumors, the day when he looked Draco Malfoy in the eyes and told him good bye.

When Harry awoke that morning of the breakup, he knew in his mind that he would have to continue with it, no matter how much his heart ached. He knew this because he not only ached for the blonde, but from the blonde. How could he be with someone who lied and cheated and then out of the wind broke it off? He couldn't.

"'Mione?" Harry asked a brunette sitting by the fire place. Instead a rather small fourth year turned to face him.

"Names Liza. Glad you know who I am," she sarcastically replied as she turned around. Even though Harry knew Draco had no siblings, the girl reminded him of the blonde. It was disheartening.

"Sorry," Harry mumbled and continued to the Great Hall where he found Hermione and Ron awaiting his arrival at the Gryffindor table, a sit between them unoccupied.

"You better eat, mate, before you do the dirty," Ron stated before he dug into his flavored oat bran.

"Are you really certain you want to go through with this, Harry? I don't want you to regret it," Hermione sympathized.

Harry sat for a moment and grunted. "I know what I am doing."

"Well, if you want to get it over with," Hermione continued, "There goes your opportunity." Her finger was aimed at the retreating Slytherin.

"Go get 'em," Ron tried for humor but failed.

Unnoticed, Harry followed Draco out of the Great Hall and down the same corridors that led to the purple haired woman's portrait. There, Draco entered the portrait clearly not looking around before doing so for Harry heard the password.

"Sly," he stated to the snobbish woman. She opened her secret door and Harry found himself in the dark hallway. He remembered that the first door on the right was where he had found Draco last time. Inside the room though, was nothing more than a worn loveseat. Continuing down the corridor, Harry tried the next door on the right. Again nothing. For nearly five minutes the raven tried every door on the right before trying the doors on the left side of the corridor. Finally, the third door led him to Draco, unawares.

"I told her not to let you in next time," Draco grumbled.

"She had to, I knew the password, you dolt."

"Great. So what do you want?"

"To tell you that whatever game you think you're winning is over. I want out of everything. You and me are nothing more than memories." Turning, Harry made for the door handle, ignoring the lifeless boy, and walking away.

Through three painfully boring classes Harry ignored everything that told him he was wrong, even Hermione who was normally spot on. When the day ended his gut still told him he wanted Draco's body close to him, and when he ran into the blonde with another raven haired boy, he knew he wanted it more than anything else.

"Watch where you're going, Rotter," Draco smirked, holding the slightly shorter boys hand.

"Shut up."

"Great comeback. Did it take you all day to think up?" The other brunette was beside himself.

Suddenly, Harry felt like crying. It was all he could do to hold it in. "Just leave me alone." He ran. Quickly and quietly. Away from the pain he was feeling: the betrayal, the anger, the hopelessness. He ran in circles until even he felt lost. That was when he bumped into Draco, again.

"Merlin, you're like a parasite," Draco sneered, tucking in his shirt. Obviously he had just come from a shag in the local closet or empty classroom. How typical.

"Then you must be dragon shit!"

Draco glared. "What is it you want, Potter? You broke it off with me, remember? Am I supposed to wait until you decide when I can move on?"

"No, I just thought it would be longer than a day."

"Then you picked the wrong person to break up with."

"I had no choice!"

"You always have a fucking choice. Spare me."

"Fine, you gave me no choice!" Harry yelled, not afraid if someone overheard them.

Draco paused, biting the inside of his cheek. Suddenly, before either of them could think, he grabbed Harry's head and pulled him forward. He violently kissed the astounded Gryffindor until neither of them could go any longer without air. They came up shaking and confused.

"I'm sorry," fumbled Draco as he backed away.

"I'd be lying if I told you I didn't want that. But it doesn't take back-" Harry's mouth was again in a lip lock with the blonde's as both teens tried to drown their fears and worries. Nothing could have been sweeter.

"Can we start all over?" Draco asked as he ended the passionate kiss and wrapped his arms around Harry's waist. "We didn't start off on the right wand and so many things went awry."

"I should say no," Harry began watching Draco's face drop. "but I'd rather say yes."

That was the day Harry's life turned completely around. He went from an abysmal and depressed teen to a regular Wizard. It was as if he was a new being, and Draco helped him along the way. The blonde teen made him feel as if the past was the past and the future was a beautiful thing. It was something Harry treasured and came to love in the other. There were tough days, as there always will be, but with Draco by his side, Harry learned to shrug it off and continue. That was the way the way Harry's seventh and final year ended at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

THE END

A/N: I want to thank all of you for sticking with me throughout the process of this ficlet and giving me the encouragment I needed. I owe everything to my faithful readers and new ones to come. You have kept my story alive and I look forward to seeing you elsewhere! I know this was a sudden ending, but I found it fit. Thanks again and if there is a sequel, which is undetermined as of yet, I will let all of you know!! -TrulyTheOne-