Chapter seventeen: Nightmares day and night

After Draco had rushed up the stairs in search of a distressed Harry, Pansy and Theo had left Blaise in the company of another bottle of firewhiskey in favor of searching for Hermione. They thought that the girl mustn't have gotten very far away from the Slytherin Common room seeing the condition she was probably in. They turned out to be right and caught up with her at the stairs that led out of the dungeons. Once the girl saw them she burst into tears and fell in Pansy's arms.

"Shh. It'll be ok, Hermione." The Slytherin girl soothed and with Theo's help managed to bring the sobbing Ravenclaw back to Slytherin. Pansy didn't think it would be a good idea for her friend to be alone tonight so she was planning on having her and Harry - who was probably as shaken as Hermione was, sleep in her room. Since she didn't have any dorm mates it wouldn't be a problem and they could just expand her bed and share it.

Once they entered the common room Pansy looked around, but Blaise wasn't where they had left him and Draco was nowhere to be found. She huffed. It was better that way, anyway. Once they reached the boys' dormitory she motioned for Theo to knock on the door.

When nobody answered Theo decided to intrude, no matter what that could cost him. The friends entered one very empty dorm, in which the pulled curtains around a bed signified enough.

"Harry?" Theo tried to call for his friend, who was probably hiding.

"Sorry, Theo, can I be alone tonight? I won't be a very merry company." The low voice of the brunet was a proof enough for his state of emotions. His friends had never heard him that shaken (probably because it was Draco, who had consoled him after the Weasley incidents).

"Harry, hun, come to my room. I'm alone in it and it'll be just you, Hermione and me there. Come on, you shouldn't stay here." Pansy was trying her best to convince him in the calmest of voices, even though she wanted to go to the common room and kill her best friend.

In what seemed like hours, but in reality were just a couple of minutes, the curtains surrounding Harry's bed moved and the raven-head came to his friends. If it wasn't for his red eyes and pale face nobody could tell anything was wrong with him, since he was wearing a casual smile and his clothes looked as perfect as when he had put them on the first time.

"I... I don't think I can bear seeing them right now." Ok, it would be better for him not to talk, either, so that the impression stayed.

"They're not in sight, no need to worry." Theo said reassuringly and held him by the shoulders while they led the way to Pansy's bedroom.

Once Harry and Hermione were settled in, Pansy sent Theo back to his own room. He was to wait for the two idiots' return and give them the lecture of their lives. The girl herself returned to her distressed friends and tried to fix the damage the two boys had caused.

In the end Harry and Hermione fell asleep, partially reassured that both boys were acting like that because of the alcohol (even though Pansy knew that Draco never got drunk).

Theo couldn't wait for his friends to return, either, because at 3 o'clock his eyes started closing and he abandoned all hope that they'll ever come back. Maybe that was the wisest thing to do, actually.

---

When the boy woke up, however, he thanked all Gods that Pansy and he had dragged Harry out of the room. If the boy could see Draco and Blaise right now, both naked, in the same bed, obviously having done something, he would have had a stroke… like Theo almost did (but luckily he got his heart under control).

Quickly he dressed and went to Pansy's room to warn Harry and Hermione about what to expect. On the way there, however, he met with Pansy herself.

"Good morning, Theo, darling. Did you put those two in their places? They're going to come and apologize aren't they?" The girl looked hopefully at her friend.

Theo paled considerably and answered through clenched teeth.

"I... they returned too late, I never heard them. And... Pansy, they have slept together."

The color drained from the girl's face as she stared in shock at the brunet. After a couple of minutes she finally managed to find her voice again, even though shaky, and managed in a barely audible whisper.

"What? What did you say?"

"I woke up and found them like that... Merlin, Pans, what are we going to tell Hermione and Harry?" Theo looked completely lost.

The girl needed a couple of more minutes to process that the information was indeed true. Once the truth really registered she snapped into plan mode.

"Now, Theo, sweetie, you'll go down to the common room and when Hermione and Harry get down in a couple of minutes you'll tell them that everything is going to be alright and that the boys are going to come in a second and they'll apologize and explain everything. You won't tell them anything about the two dolts sleeping together! That would break their hearts - the poor darlings are so innocent. I, on the other hand, will go give the two immensely stupid people that I just until recently thought as intelligent and called my friends, a piece of my mind." The last came as every bit of the threat it, indeed, was and Pansy, not waiting for Theo's approval, made her way towards the boys' dorm.

---

While Pansy and Theo were discussing what had happened, in the boy's dorm Draco woke up. The little pain and discomfort he was feeling and the view of his peacefully sleeping, naked best friend were enough and he quickly figured out what had happened last night. But... how? All he remembered was Harry being mad at him for dancing with Blaise and leaving the dorm angry, to go back to the party. Everything after that... nothing. He couldn't have gotten drunk, could he? Impossible - he just didn't do that. Once he had drank a couple of bottles of firewhiskey, at least 5 cocktails and a lot of butterbear and he was perfectly fine after that. It was as if he hadn't even drunk a glass of alcohol. But how could he explain the fact that he didn't have any memories of last night and that he had done something so very stupid like sleeping with Blaise while liking Harry?! Maybe he had lost count during the party and he had drunk a lot more than he remembered. Or... wait... didn't he take a potion for his headache in the beginning of the party... and one after he had gotten in that fight with Harry? Maybe the raven-head had been right and he shouldn't have mixed that stuff with the whiskey. Damn! It was just his luck. And Blaise... and his plans for Hermione... Oh, Salazar… they were in deep shit! After a while of thinking and beating himself up for what had happened Draco decided that it was best to actually wake his friend and see if he remembered a bit more. It took him a lot of effort, but finally Blaise groaned and cracked open an eye.

"W-what? Drey?... What are you doing?" He shot a questioning look at the blond. Then he took in his best friend's appearance and suddenly his eyes shot wide open. Now he was quite awake. "Oh, Merlin! Please tell me that we didn't do what I think we did!"

"Unfortunately I can't do that. I hoped that you'll be able to recount some of the events from last night, but judging from your reaction you remember just as much as I do, if not less." The blond sighed.

Blaise buried his face in his hands and started thinking mumbling something inaudible to himself. After a while of this he looked up. Draco was sitting with his back propped on a pillow his head on the wall, eyes closed. For everyone else he would appear very calm, but Blaise knew perfectly well that the inside of the blonde's cheeks were probably already bleeding, injured by his teeth.

"I... I remember that song... you know that muggle song that we call 'ours'. And we danced. And then Harry and Hermione left and you left too. Then you came back very angry and I offered you a drink and... that's it. That's where it all ends."

"Yes. That's actually a little more than I remember." For a couple of minutes the two boys stayed silent, each thinking about what this meant for them and for their future relationships with the ones they liked. Things weren't looking very good right now. Actually, as far from good as one could possibly go. They didn't think too much about what this meant for their relationship. They knew where they stood in the other's heart - they were best friends, brothers; nothing more.

Finally Draco opened his eyes with a sigh. He was just about to say something when the door banged open and a very pissed off Pansy stormed in the room.

---

Her two best friends had the guilty and unfocused eyes of people, who didn't really understand how they had ended up like they had, but regretted it deeply. That, however, didn't lessen her anger at them.

"Good morning, my little lover boys, hope you're in a hell of a lot of pain!" She was using 'the voice', as Draco liked to name it. She was talking in this calm manner as if she was discussing the weather, but each word pierced the heart like a knife. "OK… as I see things, you two got very, very drunk... Although I think this is a passable excuse only for Blaise... And did something... I won't name it... with the closest and the most willing person available. Now, be so kind to give me at least one good reason not to hex you into oblivion!" When she received no answer Pansy decided to push. "Or tell me what am I to say to Mia and Harry when they come down."

Blaise got a terrified expression on his face.

"Oh, Salazar! They still don't know! We have to tell them?! Bloody hell! I assumed we at least won't have to deal with that! It's bad enough that we have to explain why we did it, but to explain that we in fact did it... damn!"

Draco just groaned and hit his head in the wall hard enough to produce a very audible thump.

Pansy felt a bang of pity, but didn't let it show. Those two needed to learn!

"No, they don't know. I wouldn't have known either if I haven't seen Theo with that look on his face... Right now he's waiting for them in the Common Room and won't mention anything until you go and crawl at their feet for forgiveness. I cannot tell you how hurt they were after your little show last night, but when they hear about this... You better have a good explanation!?" The last sentence sounded more like a question and it caused Draco and Blaise to look at each other thoughtfully. Did they have any chance of winning Harry and Hermione back?

Draco decided that the percentage of the answer being "No" was too high to risk thinking about it. So instead of dwelling and losing himself in hope he would just answer Pansy's question.

"We don't really remember what happened. So any other explanation than: 'We were very, very drunk' doesn't come to mind." The blond decided that staying in the compromising position they were in (neither he nor Blaise had moved to leave the bed), could only make Pansy angrier so he stood up, wrapping a sheet around his waist, and went to his own bed to search for clothes. The fact that this way he wasn't actually facing Pansy was an added bonus.

The girl still had more questions, but was afraid that the two ex-Gryffindors were already facing the struggling Theo and she didn't want to take any more risks. That's why she ushered Blaise to get dressed too and soon the three of them were going towards the common room, Pansy as the leader of their little group.

---

Back in the common room Harry and Hermione had just joined Theo. While both of them looked as if they hadn't gotten too much sleep, Harry had this calm expression on his face that made the contrast between him and the sad Hermione almost tragically-comical.

"Morning, Theo. How was the party last night?" The raven-head's question was so normal and light that the older Slytherin was almost fooled. He, however, decided to play his friend's game until Pansy came as a back-up.

"Well, the usual. People got drunker and drunker, the music went from bad to worse and nobody seemed to notice. Nothing one couldn't expect. Oh, and did you know..." Before Nott could continue with some second-rate gossip the worse case scenario came to live. Crabbe, Goyle and some sixth year boys came in.

"... And then I thought they were going to do it right on that couch! Honestly, I've never been so disgusted in my life. Praise Merlin that around three or four they got to their room. Really, Malfoy was so hard by that time that... Ewww... Zabini almost ate him alive. And when we had to go to bed..." Here Goyle seemed too sick to continue, so Crabbe took the word.

"They were like animals. They didn't even let the curtains down. As soon as we saw this... that I think will haunt me for years in my nightmares... Well, we left to sleep in Mark's and Tony's room."

Cold laughter followed the short tale as the four boys left for breakfast.

Theodore didn't have the strength to look at his friends. He could practically hear the tension and didn't like it at all. And if he thought that things couldn't get any worse, he was badly mistaken. As if they had waited until that very moment, Pansy, Draco and Blaise entered the common room. Theo heard a sharp intake of breath that was unmistakable Harry's.

"Good morning, guys. Heard you had fun last night." The green-eyed wizard's voice hadn't changed at all. It was calm and even a little cheery. "Sorry, but we waited for too long and we're hungry. See you at breakfast." With that the boy got to his feet, reached out for Hermione, who had not said a thing, but her pale face talked for her, and in a slow pace, as if nothing had happened, the two friends left.

The moment Draco saw Harry the other boy's emotions hit him hard and a wave of nausea threatened to take him over. His right hand flew to his temple, his eyes closed, a low hiss escaping his lips. It hurt! And not only his head, but his heart too... Harry... Harry felt so betrayed! He was in pain he… he... and all because of him! Because he couldn't keep his pants up. The one time he needed his self control and he couldn't keep it. Harry was so... damn it! Draco had hurt the one he liked so much and... Agh! It felt like his head would split open in any second. . He tried to swallow, but he couldn't, tried to breathe - no luck there either. How could he do it? Why did he do it?! He couldn't stay there! He just couldn't! He needed some clean air... he needed to breathe and to think. He almost ran back up the stairs, fished out a couple of pain killing potions that he had bought yesterday in Hogsmeade and, forgetting to even take his cloak, strode back down the stairs, out of the dungeons and out of the castle, deaf for his friends questions and shouts.

---

Harry was furious. He couldn't understand any of this. The only thing that reached him was the fact that Draco had toyed with his feelings. He was tuned to Harry, so he knew from the start that the brunet liked him. How stupid it was to have faith in people and their ability to change. All this time Harry believed Draco was a friend, maybe one of his best friends. He had shared things with him that not even Ron and Hermione knew. He... This was outrageous! Thank Merlin, Harry had gotten over the stupid weakness he had shown the blond last night. This morning he took the decision to be the Potter they all wanted to believe in - cool, strong, calm, out of reach. He didn't want to let the mask slip in front of the blond, that's why he dragged Hermione to breakfast... Hermione! When the boy turned his heart broke.

The young witch looked as if the ground had disappeared from under her feet. Her face was yellow, her lips were barely visible and the hand that Harry held shook violently.

Gently, Harry pushed her into one of the secret passages he knew and made her look at him.

"Hermione, I know. But I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation about all of this. You know Blaise was really drunk last night. I'm sure that he's probably at a loss about what happened." This sounded so stupid that he couldn't even sound convincing to himself.

"Harry... I..." The next thing he knew was that Hermione was crying in his robes, her hands around his waist. Without thinking, the boy hugged his friend back and started rocking her slightly all the while murmuring comforting words in her ear.

After what seemed like ten minutes Hermione wiped the last tears that left her eyes and looked at her best friend with a determination that startled him.

"There's no way we'll let some stupid men ruin us, right?" This sounded so much as a women conspiracy that Harry laughed and he was soon joined by Hermione. "We can show no weakness, Harry James Potter. We are a lot better than that. Now, we'll go downstairs, we'll eat our breakfast and then you'll join me in the library - I have this project for Defence that..." And the girl took his hand and they both left. Despite himself, Harry smiled at the tone Hermione talked with - the "homework" tone that made him shiver during their OWLs. It seemed so long ago... But the witch's plan couldn't happen the way she wanted to. Even though Harry had promised himself to be 'as hard as steel' he wanted to spend even a little time alone, so that he could gather his thoughts. That's why after a very long breakfast (which was under the curious and mocking looks of the Slytherins) Harry escorted Hermione to the library and left for the one place he knew nobody would find him - the Chamber of Secrets.

---

Nikolai was having his morning tea. It was a pretty strange one, since it was suspiciously red and thick. He was sitting on a table in a dark cafe in Hogsmeade, admiring through the window the calm birth of November. The trees didn't have any leaves left, the sun tried desperately to show itself from behind a thick wall of clouds. Some small birds were searching for something to eat in vain, while a cat looked hungrily at them. All this peace was ruined when the birds flew away as a dark figure ran past them. The blond hair got Nikolai's attention and the vampire silently wondered what could have happened that got his godson up so early after a long Halloween party and in such outfit. Draco didn't have his cloak on and a Malfoy never allowed himself to be seen in clothes that were not suitable for the weather or the occasion. Something must have happened. Something bad.

Without thinking, Nikolai left and in a blink had the young Malfoy heir in a firm grip.

"Hey, Dray! What's up?" When he received nothing but a death glare the vampire frowned. "Какво се е случило? (What happened?)".

Draco hadn't even realized that he had left the grounds of the school. Once he had passed the lake he had started running. He ran all the way to Hogsmeade and through the small town until he reached one of the last streets. And then suddenly someone grabbed him by the arm. He didn't register who it was. He just knew that someone was in his way and he wasn't having any of that. He turned around with the intention of either glaring down the guy or sending him away with a few words. He didn't even register that the man was his godfather until he heard the Bulgarian words.

"Николай! Аз..." ("Nikolai! I..") For a moment the blond boy looked desperate and lost. Then his eyes clouded over and he continued in a low voice. "Този път наистина оплесках нещата." (This time I really screwed things up.").

"Let me guess - Harry." When he received no answer Nikolai grabbed his godson's shoulder and led him to his rented house. They entered straight into the living room and Draco almost dropped into the nearest sofa. The vampire pitied him and wondered what could have caused a Malfoy to loathe himself to this extent. Slightly shaking his head Nikolai made some tea and sat across his godson.

"Ok, so... What have you done?"

Draco stared for a couple of minutes in the tea cup that the vampire had given him without saying a word. After a while of tea staring the boy finally looked up his eyes hidden by blond locks and answered, his voice barely audible.

"I slept with Blaise." After this statement he looked down once again, too ashamed to meet his godfather's eyes.

Nikolai stayed silent for a moment. Then he reached out, caught Draco's chin and lifted his head to meet his eyes.

"A man should never do something that he would be ashamed of later. You know that, that's how Cissa and Luc raised you. What made you sleep with Blaise? I can tell it was not intended." A deep growl escaped his throat. "Did he force you?"

"Of course he didn't." Draco made to pull away from the man's grip, but failed and finally with a sigh met Nikolai's eyes for the first time since they had met today. "I don't really remember what happened. Neither does Blaise. We've probably gotten very, very drunk."

If possible, the vampire's eyes narrowed more.

"Malfoys don't get drunk. Draco, concentrate. Tell me exactly what happened - what you ate, drank, touched - anything. Maybe someone drugged you or..." At the guilty face the blond made Nikolai felt his dead heart clench. "What are you taking?"

"I'm not on drugs Nikolai." The blond struggled to get free once again. "I might have just mixed the wrong substances."

Frustrated to no end, Nikolai had to gather all of his self-control not to squeeze Draco's jaw too hard.

"And what must that be? Come on, Draco, I'm not going to pull your every word out of your mouth! What are you taking if not drugs? Potions?" At his question the vampire had to hold his breath. This was just... If his godson was using the wrong potions he was going to rip that stupid Severus bloody Snape piece by piece!

"I have some terrible headaches. I've been drinking pain relieving potions for them. But it's nothing serious. I've been careful. I just didn't think that they'll react with the alcohol. If I knew I wouldn't have drank on the party."

Slowly Nikolai removed his hands from the blond boy's face and poured him some more tea. Pain-relieving potions, huh? They were highly addictive. And yes, mixed with alcohol could lead to a change of behavior, gaps in the memory and more headaches and…. Still not saying a word the vampire rose to his feet and disappeared into his study, but in a blink he was back, holding a vial.

"Drink this." When Draco looked at him with questions practically flying from his eyes, Nikolai sighed. "It's vampire blood. It's known for its pain-relieving and healing qualities. Now drink."

Draco nodded and took the vial. If there was a person, whom he trusted most in this world for potions and the likes it wasn't Severus. It was his godfather. The vampire always knew what to do... and he always did what was best for his godson. The blond quickly drank the contents of the vial and returned it to the man.

"Thank you." He murmured his voice even quieter than before. Draco was showing weakness and he knew it. But in front of his godfather he didn't have to hide how he felt. Even in front of his father the blond wasn't as opened... nor in front of Blaise. Nikolai somehow always managed to understand him and not judge him. That's why Draco let all his masks fall in front of the man.

Smiling sadly at his hurt godson Nikolai kneeled in front of him.

"I told you he loves you. Once you explain to him what happened he'll understand and in a time - forgive you. Right now you have to use all the 'political' knowledge you possess. You have to be gentle, calm, patient, willing to take the blame and in the same time you have to be strong, loving, knowing what you want and feel. Now, you're an empath and a Seer. You have to use that advantage - you can sense his feelings and react according to them." When he saw the pain crossing Draco's face Nikolai looked questioningly at him.

"He must hate me. He was in so much pain. He really likes me and I went and did that. And it had never really mattered before what I did or who I hurt in the process, as far as my love life is concerned, but... with Harry it's different. I don't want him to be hurt; I don't want to be the one who hurt him. I'm such an idiot. And you know... he told me- he told me not to drink the potion with alcohol. And you know what I did? I laughed. I said I didn't get drunk. I acted as a full of himself prat. And because of me Harry feels hurt and betrayed... and I...I don't deserve to even hope to be forgiven. May be it's better that way - leaving things like that; better for him. That way he won't be hurt again." Draco's eyes looked dull and empty. He remembered time and time again Harry's emotions cursing through him, remembered the look in the raven-heads eyes. And the knowledge that he had taken the sparkle from those same eyes was killing him.

---

Meanwhile some other people were trying to return the sparkle to somebody else's eyes.

Pansy had left the search of Harry to Theo for the moment and was now with Hermione in the Room of Requirements.

"Look, hun, I know they hurt you - I'll make sure that they suffer. But you don't know Blaise - he's the type of guy that drinks, but cannot drink. He was drunk the moment the firewhiskey bottle was placed in front of him. Right now, he doesn't remember a thing and is eating himself from the inside for the pain he caused you."

With a shaky voice the Ravenclaw answered.

"I don't care. I can't forgive... I can't believe that such an intelligent person as Blaise could drink, knowing how drunk he'll get. I can't believe that he'll allow himself to get drunk while wooing me. I..." Hermione's eyes reddened but tears never fell. "I'm not sure anymore if I fell for Blaise or the person I thought him to be."

"He's still the noisy, annoying and smiling brat we know. He just has a problem. A problem that can be solved with effort." Pansy caught her friend's eye. "You cannot expect that he'd be perfect, Mia, nobody is. I understand your pain but if you would just listen to him..." Shaking her head Pansy caught the other girl's hand. "Please, allow him to see you."

Hermione didn't know what to think or what to do. She didn't have much of experience in those type of relationships and that made her decision harder. With Victor everything was easier - he was leaving and he had proven himself to be more eccentric than what she could bear. They had made the decision to end their relationship together.

Now, however, she knew that with Blaise everything would have been... could be... different. He was everything she had imagined her closest person could be. Apart from the fact that when drunk he tended to sleep with men. God, this was awfully difficult. Hermione knew that if she saw him right now she would forgive him. And that... Why was that bad?

With a frustrated sigh Hermione stood up from the comforting pillows they were sitting on till now.

"Ok, lead me to him. Let's see what happens."

---

Blaise was pacing. Damn Draco and his stupid habit rubbing off on him. But he just couldn't stay still. It had been an hour. A whole hour since he had finally convinced Pansy to go and talk with Hermione for him, to ask her to see him. Merlin, why was she taking so long? Maybe Hermione didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore. If that was the case, he couldn't blame her for making this kind of a choice, but still he was hoping that... they could fix this, they could overcome it together and try to build something worth to be build and to be had. He was an optimist, he had always been, but now he was too afraid to be optimistic. What was he going to do if she refused? He really liked her. He liked the way she smiled, the way she talked, the way she hid behind her books, the way she played with her quill when she tried to figure out how to continue a particularly difficult essay. Hermione was funny smart, sometimes witty, so innocent and so incredibly beautiful. He could even admit to himself that he didn't only like her, but he had fallen in love with her. If he couldn't have her...

That was when the door opened and Blaise whirled around, his heart clenching with both fear and hope.

'Yes, I forgive him.' That was the first thing Hermione thought when she saw Blaise's face. There was no way she could refuse him - the boy looked so tortured...

"Hi" Was all she could say. Hermione felt Pansy leaving the room and now the Ravenclaw was alone with the Italian. She looked down, uncertain about what to say or do. After all Blaise had wanted to see her and talk to her. Let him do it.

Blaise made a step towards the girl lifting his arms as if to hug her. He then thought differently and stopped, his arms falling defeated at his sides once again. He looked down and shuffled his legs, uncertain of what to say exactly. He hadn't really thought that she'd actually come so he hadn't thought of what to say. Finally he lifted his head, determination visible in his eyes.

"Hermione, I really like you. I think I may be even falling in love with you. I know what I did doesn't exactly prove this statement true, but it is. And I want you to know how sorry I am. I didn't mean to hurt you. I won't insult you by giving you excuses and trying to make it seam like I wasn't at fault. It's true that I was terribly drunk, but I know how I take to alcohol and I shouldn't have touched a bottle at all that night. I always end up doing something stupid after that. And... what I'm trying to say is... I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry for playing with your feelings and for hurting you. I..." Blaise raked his fingers through his hair and downcast his eyes once again. The courage he had gathered was all used up and he didn't dare look at Hermione's eyes from fear that he'll see her rejection in them.

Smiling at herself (as Blaise supposed since his little speech couldn't have provoked a smile... right?) Hermione, blushing, looked at him.

"What you did was the stupidest thing on earth. I still can't quite believe it. But... What you said about loving me..." Before Blaise could jump her in his joy when seeing her face blushing even more, she interrupted. "No, wait. I know you knew how I would feel when you said something like that to me. I don't want you to play with words like that. Words I've never pronounced to somebody besides my parents. And there is something I don't understand - how come you get drunk and Draco is in your lap? Why him? Not that I'd ever allow such behavior towards me, but I still don't understand..." Shaking her head she continued for a while murmuring "I don't understand"s and "why"s.

Blaise raked his fingers through his hair again and thought for a while. How could he explain that to her? She couldn't understand it. Draco and he... they were the only ones who understood what was there and what wasn't between them.

"Well," He started, determined to at least try and give her an explanation. "Draco is my first and my only male lover. Actually he is the only male with whom I can imagine myself sleeping. There's always been sexual tension between the two of us, but we know each other's limits and where not to go. We feel comfortable with each other. There are those moments when one needs some intimacy... well, I'm always sure I can find it with Dray. Do you understand it? Can you... accept this?" The boy looked both hopeful and sad.

Hermione frowned. How could she answer such a question? She liked... maybe even loved... Blaise, but could she accept the fact that at any moment when Draco would need some intimacy the Italian will be there for him? Of course she knew that this was an exaggeration, but still...

"I think I'll need some time to accept it, though I don't understand it - I've never had such a friend, nor have I felt the need to have one. But I believe... hope, that with the time I may get used to it." For a moment her eyes filled with tears at the image of Blaise holding Draco securely around the blonde's waist, pressing him to himself and kissing him tenderly from behind.

Blaise saw the tears and his heart clenched.

"No... I... I don't want you to get used to it. We'll... I'll have to talk with Dray; see what he thinks about it, but... no... Look, we won't sleep with each other again and we'll... I...I can't promise we won't hold hands or hug, or... I can't not be his friend, Hermione! I... but look, we won't be so intimate as we are now, because I know it will hurt you... and it'll hurt Harry and....Merlin, today I can't talk coherently." The boy laughed quietly and put on a pathetic half apologetic, half joking smile.

Hermione reflected the smile and gently took the Italian's hand.

"I know. Let's just... leave it at this, ok? How about now we join the others in their search for Harry and Draco?" At the questioning yet awfully relieved look Blaise gave her, the girl just dragged him out of the room.

---

Harry had no problems getting into the Chamber. The corridors were empty (probably everybody was still recuperating from Halloween) and even Myrtle was not in her toilet. Smiling to himself Harry thought that he was slowly becoming like her - self-pitying and hating "that awful boy" who insulted him.

Sliding down the passage the raven-head contemplated his choice for a place to hide. Obviously his Slytherin part was taking the wheel. What normal person would choose a place where his friend almost died, he had met his archenemy and that 'normal' person himself was on the verge of death? Well, the key word here was 'normal'. Harry Potter was far from normal. In every aspect.

Harry hissed his order to the door and it quickly opened before him. Everything was just as he had left it. Some of the columns were broken from his fight with the basilisk and said creature, or more his skin, was lying in front of the giant figure of Salazar Slytherin.

Without even thinking about his actions Harry bowed to the statue and hissed.

"I greet you, Salazar Slytherin, the founder of my house. I thank you for this room, which allows me to remain hidden from the others and helps me to find myself."

Rising again Harry transfigured one of the lying ruins into an armchair and sunk into it.

This was going nowhere. This stupid crush he had on Draco had proven itself to be deeper than he thought and that was not good. How come in so little time... How could he fall in love with the person who made his school-life miserable for six entire years? Again, what normal person would do that? Well, it wasn't like he could control it. Oh, and how he wished. If only he could go out there, have dinner with his friends... other friends... and then feel like nothing happened. Because, practically, Draco had made no promises to him. He was just being nice and behaved the way he was expected to behave - to flirt. Actually the blond had done what, probably, any normal hormonal teenager would have done - sleep with the closest and the most willing person available. And even though this thought had already occurred to Harry previously in the day, it still hurt him like hell and insulted the image he had for Draco.

He really thought Draco different, even after that... incident. And he was. The blond had proven himself more sensitive than all of his other friends and that was not only the empath talking. It was just the person Draco was. And still... God, how disappointed Harry was. He screamed in frustration over being absolutely helpless about the way he felt and over being unable to change anything. Good nobody could hear him there.

Taking a couple of deep breaths the brunet calmed himself. What was done was done. All he could do was deal with it and live on.

So Harry stood up and started exploring Salazar's chamber, never having the chance to do so before. And he took his time, since he wanted to go to bed while the others were at dinner - so that he'll postpone his inevitable encounter with Blaise and Draco.

---

It was already dark outside. Rain was pouring since the afternoon and, as Draco glanced out of the window, he could barely make out the houses from across the street.

"It looks like it won't stop after all." The blond turned to his godfather. "And it's getting late. Maybe I should be going."

The boy had spent the whole day with Nikolai. They had discussed Harry and Draco's feelings for him. The vampire even managed to get his godson to open up and talk about his mother. This of course led to the headaches Draco kept having and what the man heard worried him immensely.

Nikolai took out one of his cloaks and passed it to Draco, who stood up.

"Nikolai?" The vampire arched an eyebrow in question, urging the blond to continue. "You have to promise me that you won't tell anything of what I told you today to my father. And to Severus either."

Narrowing his eyes Nikolai answered.

"Of course I won't mention anything to Lucius. You are my godson and shared a secret with me - there is no way I'll tell anything to your father." And the vampire tried one of his best toothy smiles. "Now, off you go, and give my kisses to Harry".

The boy smiled weakly at the mention of Harry and left running into the rain. He knew his godfather won't betray his trust. That's way Nikolai was the only person who heard Draco talking about his mother after her death. The blond ran under the pouring rain trying to drawn his remaining guilt, which even the talk with the vampire couldn't silence, and thinking about what he could do to win Harry's trust again.

---

Nikolai, however, 'ran' in a different direction. He felt partially guilty for lying to Draco, but he wasn't doing something he had promised not to. He promised not to tell Lucius. And he had no intention of doing it. Sever Snape, however, was a different thing. That lowly excuse for a human calling himself a Potion Master! Great master, who could not notice his beloved's son being addicted to a potion!

In mere seconds the vampire was storming Snape's private chambers.

"Severus!" He yelled, allowing all of his anger to take control.

In a minute Snape slowly came out of his private potions lab, took off his working cloak and looked coldly at the enraged vampire.

"How can I help you, Mr. Cross?" His voice was probably containing more venom than the teeth of a basilisk.

"Don't you 'Mr. Cross' me!" Taking a deep breath Nikolai calmed himself. It would do him no good to behave like an imbecile in front of that... thing! "Tell me, how could you, who see Draco EVERY DAY, not notice the fact that he was taking far too much painkilling potions? Hm? Have any explanation to offer?"

Severus felt his heart stop. Did something happen to Draco? To Lucius' son? Merlin, he had warned the boy, but he never thought... Damn.

"What happened?" Snape was glad that he could master his face and voice not to give his concern away, but then remembered that he was dealing with a vampire - the bloody half-breed knew all too well the way Severus' blood was moving.

"I'll tell you what happened. Draco mixed the potion with alcohol. He is alright, apart from a terrible headache and a very guilty consciousness. But we can all thank Merlin that he is alive! I'm sure even you realize how much worse this could have ended!"

"So you storm in my private chambers and demand explanation? What are you? A five year old who's toy was broken? Don't give me that shit about the worried godfather, please, Mr. Cross. We all know you were out of Draco's life for quite some time. You have no right coming here firing accusations of neglect!" Once hearing that Lucius' son was alright Severus changed the tactic and went into offence.

If blood was running in his veins Nikolai was going to be red-faced with anger by now.

"You have no right talking to me like that! I have the perfect explanation where I was and what I was doing. Don't you dare..."

But the vampire was cut by the equally enraged Potion Master.

"Oh, I know. You found your 'mate' and went inbreeding with him!" Before he could blink Severus was pushed into the wall. A small stream of blood went down his cheek.

"Don't you mention Michael! Ever! Again!"

Severus shoved the vampire and wiped away the blood, glaring at Nikolai.

"Of course, you're awfully jumpy about that. Having ruined mine and Lucius' future, leaving your godson alone in the moment he needed you most. You just waltz in and out of our lives without any consideration of who you hurt in the process. And then you dare come here and tell me... ME... the person who was where you should have been in Draco's life, that I've caused him harm! You have a lot of nerve... vampire" The Potion Master spat out the last word as if it was an insult.

Releasing Snape from fear not to break his neck in his anger Nikolai smiled coldly.

"Yours and Lucius' future? Oh, give me a break! He was never going to sleep with you. He's the Lord Malfoy, he was the most handsome boy in our year and you, the bookworm... Please! I made you a favor - you didn't have to embarrass yourself in front of your best friend."

At first Severus just stared at the other man as if not comprehending his words than he snarled.

"You are more stupid and blind than I thought. We were together! Lucius broke it off when he thought that he was your mate! Because you couldn't understand your own nature you ruined our lives!"

'Is this true?' Nikolai stared blindly at Snape and then bitter guilt slid down his throat. If this was true... Oh, Merlin. And he thought they were just friends. Going back now, however, the looks Snape was sending Lucius were practically the same as those the blond man was returning. So, back in their seventh year, Lucius was not with him because he loved him, but because he thought he was destined to be with him. Shit!

"If what you say is true, then why when we broke up..." At the look Snape shot him Nikolai's eyes grew even bigger. "The arranged marriage with Narcissa. По дяволите! (Damn!)".

Snape's glare didn't soften at the vampire's obvious distress.

"Don't you dare play stupid now Nikolai! All those years - all the taunting and the insults... you wanted to rub it in! You stole Lucius from me and then shoved the fact that he had chosen you over me in my face!"

'Because I thought he did' Nikolai thought, but didn't say it out loud. Truth be told, he never really liked Severus. He couldn't understand why Lucius was so fond of him - the man was far too serious, far too dark, far too standard. Lucius was a man of class - his group was supposed to be that of the different ones, of the most intelligent, most beautiful. Well, Snape fell into the first two categories, but that didn't change anything.

Back in their school years Nikolai fell in love for the first time in his life - with Lucius Malfoy. The feeling was so strong, the desire for domination so feral, that his younger self had mistaken it for the calling of his mate. What a big, big, big mistake. That feeling was something so different that could never be compared. But he didn't know that. It wasn't wise to mention his suspicions to Lucius, he now understood that. Yes, Lucius readily agreed and Nikolai had mistaken it for shared feelings. He should have known better - he knew Lucius, for Merlin's sake, he knew the way he was educated! The young Malfoy knew better than to refuse a vampire his mate. If that was to happen... Shivers came down Nikolai's spine at the thought of the pain the vampire would feel before he died.

Lowering his head Nikolai Krastev (in English his surname meant 'Cross' that's why everybody called him that) did the one thing he had never done.

"I apologize for any harm - physical or emotional, that my actions have caused you. Unfortunately, I have no way to make things better." With that he turned to leave the stunned Snape. Only by the door the vampire inclined his head and said in a much calmer way. "Don't forget Draco's problem, though. Once again I'm afraid I won't be near when he needs me."

Nikolai was just going to leave when Severus' quiet voice stopped him.

"Wait. You really didn't know, did you?" It was more of a statement than a question. "Look... you can't leave now. As much as it pains me to say that...Draco needs you. Much more than he needs me, that's for sure. And it's glaringly obvious that I can't neither take your place in his heart nor take good care of him. And Lucius... he needs you too. He was so happy when you agreed to come here. You're a big part of their lives and they deserve to be such from yours too." To say this was incredibly hard, but Severus prided himself for being a man who dealt just fine with something that would be impossible for almost anyone else.

Nodding to the wall Nikolai whispered.

"Thank you. I'll be at Hogsmeade for a few more days. Draco knows where to find me. I... Thank you."

And Nikolai left the office as quickly and suddenly as he had come in.

---

Draco flew into the castle, water dripping from his hair and his cloak. Dinner was finished already and there was no one in the main hallway. The blond just managed to catch his breath and started to turn towards the dungeons when a group of people came just from that direction. It was Blaise and the others. They had spent a good hour searching for their blond friend to no avail and were now incredibly worried. They were just going to go to the Headmaster's office and tell Dumbledore that they hadn't seen Draco the whole day when they noticed the lone, wet figure standing just in front of the castle doors.

"Dray!" Pansy shouted and they all ran towards their, until now, missing friend. "Where were you?! Do you have any idea how worried we were? We've been searching for you this whole day!" The Slytherin girl continued, managing to look just like an angry mother.

Draco, however, completely ignored her and sidestepped her in favor of standing right in front of Hermione. He looked the girl in the eyes, took a deep breath and said slowly and quietly.

"I'm so very sorry, Hermione. What happened last night was all my fault. Blaise isn't to be blamed. We all know how easily he gets drunk and I should have been more careful. I was just too proud of myself-never having been intoxicated in my life. I let my ego stand in the way of my rational thinking. For that, and for it leading to you getting hurt, I'm truly sorry." At the end he bowed his head a little trying to show that he, indeed, meant all he had said.

The girl smiled a little and placed her hand softly on the blonde's shoulder.

"Thank you. I know what happened from both sides now and I... I think that all we have to blame is the stupidity of you two, not your hearts. Now, however, I think you have to say this to Harry too. He disappeared somewhere after breakfast and I haven't seen him since then."

Theo was the one to interrupt.

"I saw him on the second floor. I was being late for dinner, so I took that shortcut behind the portrait of Billy Smith, and I met him. He said he was going to bed and passed me." Sending Draco a worried look Theodore continued. "Draco, my friend, you really have to prepare a good speech. But you better leave it for tomorrow - Harry looked really tired so he might be already asleep."

Draco nodded solemnly.

"I think now every delay is welcomed." The blond then turned to his best friend. "Blaise...we'll need to discuss this too. We didn't have enough time today."

The Italian nodded and then smirked.

"I think we both know what the other thinks and feels, but if you're so inclined to talk, then we'll talk. I think you've spent a little too much time with some ex-Gryffindors that we both know." Blaise winked and patted Draco's back.

---

The Italian went to escort Hermione to her House and the others returned to Slytherin. Theo and Draco wished Pansy good night and entered their own dorm. Indeed, to both Draco's dismay and comfort Harry was already fast asleep in his bed, the curtains left open.

Crabbe and Goyle were missing, again, so nobody paid any attention. The two boys turned to their beds and were just about to undress when the most blood-freezing scream they'd ever heard sliced the air. When the boys turned they saw Harry, who had rivers of sweat and tears falling down his eyes. His scar was angry-red on his forehead and his mouth was opened in what was now a silent scream - as if what he was seeing or feeling was so terrifying that he didn't have the breath nor the strength to voice it. His hands were shaking violently and soon his whole body followed. And then - another scream.

Draco was as quick as lightning and was immediately by Harry's side. The door flew open and Pansy and Blaise stormed in.

"What's going on! Who screamed!" Blaise shouted and then he saw Draco reaching out to touch Harry's forehead. "No! Drey, don't touch him!"

It was too late however. Immediately after there was physical contact between him and Harry Draco screamed too and fell to the floor gasping for breath and coughing violently. Blaise ran to him and picked him up with Theo's help while Pansy was kneeling next to Harry's bed. She looked terrified.

"Drey! What's happening to Harry! What happened to you! Merlin! He's obviously in pain!"

Without answering the blond made a quick silencing spell on the door and tried to reach for Harry again. This time Blaise's strong hands stopped him.

"No, you don't! What's going on? We should call Snape or..."

"No, no Snape! There is no time for Snape, this is Voldemort we're dealing with." Draco yelled. "We have to act quickly. I tried to enter Harry's dream the normal way, but I can't... it's stronger than me. Fortunately I know other ways. All of you... step away from the bed... in case there is some loose magic." With that said, the blond pushed Blaise's hands away and stepped on shaky legs towards Harry. His tongue darted out to wet his too dry lips. This was going to be incredibly dangerous. Draco would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid. This was to help Harry, however. And if he didn't act he would lose the raven head. Draco fell on his knees next to the bed and closed his eyes trying to concentrate all of his energy. Once he felt sure in himself he lifted his two hands and placed the first in Harry's right hand and the other on his forehead. The only indication that he was in any pain were his screwed eyes and then he fell to the floor unconscious, hand still holding Harry's

---

It was dark... so dark... suffocating... no light, no air. The darkness was heavy with some kind of magic, electricity. And the will... the consciousness... someone else was in control... someone with power.... someone with hunger... someone whose intent could kill with its shear force. Voldemort. Voldemort was everywhere and nowhere. You couldn't see him, but you felt him- overbearing, watching, laughing, hating. He had created this darkness... he was this darkness... he was this dream... and there was no escaping. Draco felt lost... why was he here? He knew he had come here willingly... he had something to do... someone who needed him... Harry! Was Harry here? In his dread? Or was this Harry's dream? This darkness... it made his head pound... it wouldn't let him concentrate and think. This dream was slowly trying to kill him... to drive him mad. No! Harry needed his help... he needed him... needed Draco. And Draco would be damned if he wouldn't help him. Damn Voldemort! He was just a wizard... he couldn't trap a Seer in a dream. This was his territory... his playground... and he was a better player... no Voldemort could beat him in this... no one could. Draco concentrated some of his magic in his eyes and after awhile he was able to see the threads the dream was made from. With precision he started ripping them, destroying parts of this reality... diminishing the ferocity of the intent behind it. Soon the darkness started to dissipate transforming into a big, empty room. There were no doors, no windows... just walls... and the knowledge that you couldn't escape no matter what you did... and Voldemort's will. But there... in the corner farthest from Draco there was a figur huddled to the wall, face hidden behind lifted knees... body shaking... it was Harry. Draco's heart skipped a beat... Harry! He ran towards the boy and kneeled next to him, putting his hand gently on a shaking shoulder.

"Harry!"

---

Was that a voice he was hearing? No, it couldn't be. The only voice that reigned here was Voldemort's and this one sounded gentle and concerned. Had he heard it before? It sounded so familiar...

"Harry!"

Draco! This was Draco's voice! But why would he be here? He must be somewhere hugging, kissing, shagging Blaise... Cold laughter filled the room. Or was this Voldemort's trick? Of course it was - he wanted to destroy him, to drive him mad. And, fuck, he did a damn good job. Materializing Draco was the last drop. Harry couldn't bear to see him. The blond would probably laugh at him or snicker his way for being weak. And he couldn't breathe, damn it! The moment he thought he would suffocate air came into his lungs, but just barely and then - no air again. And the pain...

"Harry, look at me! Harry!"

Finally snapping, completely out of control and wishing for it all to end as quickly at possible the brunet gathered all his breath and strength left and pushed the blond to the ground. God, he looked so much like the real one. He was wearing the same clothes from this morning, his hair was ruffled (something Voldemort couldn't have seen) and those grey eyes dug into him like knives. Closing his own green eyes Harry said in a whisper.

"Stay away. Don't... Just stop this, ok?"

"Harry... please... you have to trust me! We don't have enough time!" Draco crawled next to him and put his hands on his shoulders once again. "You have to, Harry! It's Voldemort! He's trying to trap you inside this dream! You have to trust me and to let me get you out of here! Please, Harry, please." His voice was raspy as if he was trying to fight down sobs. "I know you must hate me for what I did! I know... and you are right! You should hate me! I knew you liked me... I like you back... and still I... but it's not the time for that! Please, look at me! Trust me! Harry!"

"Is... is that really you?" Harry hated his voice for how weak it sounded. It was... awful to know that this could be Voldemort and that he could, once again, fall into his trap. But he was so tired, so tired of everything, he wanted the pain to end, he wanted it all to end. "Draco, I need you... I need you to answer me..." And then all the air was once again gone and Harry fell on the ground, this time not having enough oxygen to live through. He was dying and he knew it. At least after some more painful minutes everything was going to end. Tomorrow his friends were going to find him in his bed and they would think he died in his sleep. Which was going to be, in fact, true. He regretted what was going to happen, though - Voldemort would win, a lot of people would die, some more will suffer under his reign. And Harry was never to see Draco again. Tears fell from his eyes as he realized that he didn't have enough strength even to look at the blond. And then silver eyes met his, but they were too close. What was he doi... And air filled his lungs, not much, but enough. Soft lips left his and Draco took the brunet by the hand, helping him to stand up. OK, that was Draco!

"It's me, Harry. Of course it's me. I won't leave you. Come. I want you to concentrate. Concentrate only on me. Don't think about anything else. Don't think about Voldemort, don't think about this dream. Forget them. Think only about me and about our friends and about what you're going to do tomorrow. Think about waking up. Can you do that? That was originally your dream. You are its master. If you think about ending it I'll manage to destroy it. Can you do that for me Harry? Please!" Draco's eyes were so soft, his voice so gentle and pleading that it shook Harry's heart.

"Yes. Yes, just please, don't leave me here. Please!" It was awful of him to ask this of Draco, after all this was dangerous for him, so very dangerous... But Harry couldn't bear the thought of the blond leaving his side. So, he concentrated. It was hard in the beginning but with the time he got the grasp of it, relaxed under Draco's touch and in what seemed like seconds the walls shook. At first it was only a small movement, then a bit more violent one and in the end they fell. When he opened his eyes Harry could see and feel Draco, who was protecting him with his body from the ruins. This made him so warm that he got the strength to stand up and, taking Draco's hand, turned to leave. And that was when he saw Voldemort.

---

They were almost there. The walls were falling around them... the physical barrier was gone. Now he had to gather just a little bit more energy to severe the last threads of the dream that were holding them in and... No! The reality was fighting against him. Someone was strengthening its holds. Draco frantically looked around, trying to find a loophole through which they could escape... and that's when he saw him - Voldemort. The creature smiled at the two boys.

"If that isn't our young Mr. Malfoy. I was wondering who might be interfering with my plans. I should have guessed that it was a Seer." The snake-like man smirked and took a few steps towards them. "Won't you stop trying to destroy my dream, young Draco? After all you weren't that far away from becoming my follower - why try to stop me now? Won't you just turn around and leave Harry and me to talk? We have a lot to discuss after all. Like... why was he spying on me?!" Voldemort hissed and his eyes flared with anger.

Draco wasn't really listening to the man. He was trying with his entire mind, putting all of his concentration and energy into destroying what Voldemort was trying to rebuild. Once he realized that the monster's speech was over he just sent a glare his way and hissed in a low voice.

"Never." He didn't know to what he was disagreeing, but he knew what to expect well enough to be certain that he, indeed, didn't want to do what the Dark Lord was suggesting.

That was when Harry interrupted and stood in front of Draco, trying his best to hide him from Voldemort.

"Ok, Tom, you wanted to talk. You want to know why I was spying on you? Because you allow me to. Sometimes you forget, lost in your desire to be the king of the world, that you have a connection with me. Quite a way to be a ruler, Riddle, well done!" Harry knew that what he was doing was insane. But the only way for them to get out now was for Voldemort to be angered to such extend that he looses the grip on the brunet's dream and in that moment they run.

He seemed to be doing a good job if one could judge by the way the space became freezing cold and, in the same time, Harry felt like burning from the inside.

"Don't you dare use that name! Come on, Harry, I'm sure you don't want to die a slow and painful death. Why don't you just admit what you saw and I promise to end it quickly for Draco. You don't want him to suffer, do you?" At the end Voldemort's voice was dangerously soft and that scared Harry more than the excruciating pain that engulfed his body.

"Why, Tom, you don't like your name? Then how am I supposed to call you? Morty? Or maybe Voldy? Ahhh." Harry fell to the ground and felt blood in his mouth. He was not going to last longer. The same thing could be applied to Voldemort's defences, though, which were now dangerously shaken. If only he could push a little more... And then Draco intervened.

"I knew there was a logical reason for my father to betray you. And now I finally see it. You're an idiot." To say that statement shocked both Harry and Voldemort with its audacity would be an understatement. "You're so easily affected by a teenager boy, saying your name. What would happen if someone actually tried to knock you off your feet? You're a useless leader and a pathetic excuse for a dark wizard. Not to mention that you are as far away from owe-inspiring as one could possibly be- both physically and intellectually." While he was talking Draco used one of his hands to hoist Harry back on his feat. "You are disgusting. I wonder how you got even the few followers you have."

That was the moment when Voldemort snapped out of his shock and finally reacted.

"You insolent boy!" The creature shouted and turned his wrath on the blond. "I told you Harry! You should have made him leave. Now you'll watch how he suffers." The Dark Lord threatened and before Harry's horrified eyes Daco collapsed to the ground, writhing, eyes wide open in pain and shock. And then the blond screamed.

No, no, no, no. This was not happening! Not in his dream! Draco would NOT suffer in a place he SHOULD have control over! Concentrating very hard Harry knelt next to Draco and started whispering some wards his tired mind could remember. It was difficult to pronounce them since the fire was still running in his veins but there was no way for him to give up. Soon Draco stopped screaming but he was still convulsing from the pain.

"Is that all you could do to break me? Hurting those who you think I care about? Damn, Tom, this is really pathetic. Why don't you try doing something for real, like that, just from the fun of change! Try breaking me with all you've got! Me- personally; and not those around me. Huh, wanna give in a try?" Harry stood up and spread his hands all the while watching with dread that he hoped was not too evident Voldemort's movements. Well, even if he couldn't make it Voldemort would be so preoccupied with him that he would distract himself and Draco would get a chance to escape.

At that moment Draco gasped.

"I'm in control. I broke it... just... Harry! Wake up! Just wake up!"

There is...no time...if he doesn't wake up now...I'll...lose my grasp....

"WAKE UP!" The blond shouted.

Harry had eyes only for Voldemort, who was mouthing something that looked strangely familiar. Had he seen something like that before? The air around him looked strange, as if looked through smoked glass.

And then - Harry woke up.

TBC

A/N: Hey, guys. We're so very sorry about the delay, but Himechi started a new job and FonsAdae is too busy preparing her documents for France. We hope you don't hate us! Yes, this is another cliffhanger, but if we had continued this chapter would have ended with, what, 20 000 words? In the next chappie – Harry and Draco talk!

Hugs and kisses!

Oh, and don't forget to review – we love to hear what you think about the story!

P.S. *FonsAdae crosses her fingers that Harry is no longer so sloppy.*