Harry was lounging in the tall grass and his fingers were weaving into the golden reeds absently. The sun was beating down on him with fervor, causing his shirt to stick to his back and rivulets of sweat to drip down his neck. He was trying to concentrate on his Occlumency. The low hum around him helped. His eyes were closed lightly as he strengthened his mind, shutting out as much as he could.

Are you alright?

Harry sighed as his mind faltered. He wiped the sweat off his neck and opened his eyes. "Hmm?" he asked faintly, looking back. He frowned slightly. He didn't see anyone. He whipped his head around. He was alone. "Hello?" he asked, feeling foolish. He didn't get a reply. He rolled his eyes at his lack of resolve. He stretched languidly, lying down on the bed of crackling grass. He shut his eyes against the sun. He didn't bother with a Cooling charm. He wanted to feel the heat. It helped him stay awake. He inhaled the dust and earthy scent, letting it out slowly to relax himself. He tried his hand at Occlumency again.

Are you alright?

Harry huffed and threw his arm over his eyes. Yes.

What are you doing?

Harry flinched and sat up because the voice sounded very close to his ear. He whipped his head around, ignoring the headache that bloomed in his eyes from the sudden light. What?

What are you doing?

Harry didn't see anyone. Who's there?

Not there, here…

Harry yelped and scrambled away as the adder insisted on wrapping around his leg. Get off!

Why?

Harry drew out his wand and poked the snake with it. It was now curling around his calf, quite content with staying put. Get off!

No.

It was only then that Harry noticed he was talking in Parseltongue. He huffed again, aggravated with the clingy interruption. Are you poisonous?

Yes.

The nonchalant way the adder hissed made Harry scoff humorlessly. This is really quite uncomfortable.

Not for me.

Harry poked the snake again. It hissed lazily, the zigzag on its back quivering slightly before settling down. What do you want? Harry gave up on the snake, knowing that if he poked any harder, he'd just end up hurting it. Or her. Or him.

Nothing.

Harry eyed the snake suspiciously. Don't bite.

I won't.

How long are you planning on staying?

Until you stay.

"Oh…" Harry blinked at the peaceful face of the snake. And if I leave now?

I'll go.

Harry heard the tense hint in the voice. He had half a mind to get up, but he contented in sighing exaggeratedly. Fine, you can stay. Harry thought he heard a small sigh coming from the asp too, but he could have been mistaken. Just don't interrupt me, Harry added begrudgingly.

Not another word.

Harry tried to ignore the pressure on his calf as he sat contemplating his next move. He knew he was much too distracted with the small tremors coming off of the snake. He also knew that having a distraction would probably make him work harder on his Occlumency. After all, if the Dark Lord was going to use Legilimency on Harry, he won't be doing it when Harry was completely relieved of distractions. Distractions were good. Harry worked on shuttering his mind and packing his emotions as deep as he could get them to move. Inexplicably, he would get caught up in the memories he was trying to bury. In such flashes, he would revel in the thoughts and scenes in his head, reliving them in a haze. He didn't know how much time had passed and, for the present, he didn't really care. This was his moment and he was going to use it as he pleased. Even if that meant letting go of his Occlumency skills, or rather lack thereof, and savoring his blissful thoughts and emotions that he had dredged up.

Why are you smiling?

I thought I said no interruptions. But Harry couldn't stop the smile from growing on his lips as he opened his eyes to look at the snake. I was just thinking.

Happy thinking?

Yes.

About what?

Harry shrugged. Life.

You have a happy life?

Yes. Although my thoughts on happiness may seem perverse.

How so?

Harry laughed to himself. I can't believe I'm having this conversation with a snake. Do you have a name? Or do I just keep calling you snake?

Name?

Snake it is, then…

What is name?

Harry pulled on the reeds, causing a bunch to snap midway and pull free into his hand. He let them go, watching them fly in the breeze that was following the moving sun. A name… It doesn't matter. Names don't matter.

But?

Harry looked back at the snake's expectant eyes. But?

You wanted to say more… Names don't matter but… What does?

Harry tried to stop a grin from shining over his face. Names don't matter but… Who you are does?

You aren't sure?

Harry shook his head slightly. Of course I'm not sure. I'm still a child.

You don't seem like a child.

Really? Harry asked with a wink.

You don't seem like a child. A child wouldn't talk to me.

Have you tried? Harry asked curiously.

No one has talked to me.

Not a lot of us can talk to you.

The snake shifted slightly, moving its head up and leaning it on Harry's knee. But you can… Why?

It is – Harry gulped. It is a – gift.

I am glad for your gift.

Harry smiled sadly. Not many are.

Not many are, but I am.

Harry pondered the snake's words. Are you alone?

The snake squeezed Harry's leg for a brief moment before relaxing. Not any longer.

And when I leave, you will be lonely again? Harry couldn't help asking.

Until you come back, yes.

Until I come back…

If you are so happy, why are you alone?

Harry was taken aback by the question. Wh – what?

Why are you here alone?

Harry frowned in confusion. He wanted to be alone, so he was here alone. Why else would he be alone? I want to be by myself for a while.

That is the only reason?

Of course. No other reason.

Alright.

Harry was disconcerted now. He didn't know what the snake wanted to say and he didn't know how he was supposed to interpret the words. He wasn't alone. At least, not like the snake. He had friends, who were also his family. Not alone. I'm not alone…

"Whoa! You have a snake on your leg, Potter."

Harry whipped his head back to find Draco's bemused face staring at his leg. "Really, Malfoy?" he asked caustically.

"It's an adder. Best not to worry it," the blonde said.

"I'm not worrying it," Harry muttered.

"You're so strange," Draco muttered even lower.

Now you're not alone. The snake looked triumphant.

Harry guffawed. Yeah, right, he said sardonically, shaking his head at the snake. He heard a sharp intake of breath behind him and blushed. "I – er… Sorry," he said quickly, berating himself for talking in Parseltongue around Draco. He fully expected Draco to get out of there as fast as he could.

"Why?"

Harry mouthed the word after Draco, a frown on his brow. He turned around to look at Draco again. "Um… Never mind," Harry mumbled.

The snake cocked up its head and blinked at Draco. He is attracted.

Harry nearly fell over. What?

He is attracted.

What does that even mean?

Attracted. What else does it mean?

Harry was suddenly caught with an urge to laugh, and then an urge to cry.

"What are you saying?" Draco asked softly.

Harry groaned, dropping his head in his hands. "Trust me, you don't want to know, Malfoy," Harry said, his voice muffled against his palms.

The snake was now getting agitated. It was impatiently moving away from Harry's calf and onto his thigh. Harry made a disconcerting noise and tried to push the snake away. The adder was adamant as it slithered over Harry's knuckles and onto his arm. I have a secret, it said as it moved around Harry's forearm and wound up to his shoulder. Its head was now pressed against Harry's neck. I have a secret.

Harry rolled his eyes and stopped trying to pull the snake away from him. Fine, what? His tone was abrasive.

The snake took no notice of his tone. You are attracted, it whispered into Harry's neck.

Harry blinked at the grass. Okay, I'm going to leave now, he said deliberately.

I don't understand…

You said you would go away if I left. I'm leaving. Harry was blushing furiously as he tried to unwind the snake from his arm.

Is it because you are not lonely anymore?

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. No, I just need to leave. Now.

He is not lonely anymore.

Harry froze, his fingers around the snake slackening and his mouth gaping open. He whipped his head back. He nearly fell sideways when he realized Draco was mere inches from him. Draco looked as startled as Harry as he grabbed the raven-haired boy before he could fall.

He likes it when you talk to me, the snake said softly.

Harry blinked at Draco's wide eyes and unguarded expression. Draco's arm was around Harry's free shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice. He was too busy mapping Harry's face.

Talk to me, the snake insisted in a giddy voice.

About what? Harry asked faintly. Apparently, it didn't matter. Draco took an involuntary gasp of air almost inaudibly when Harry spoke. His grip on Harry tightened imperceptibly and he seemed to have somehow moved closer. Harry clamped his mouth shut and his mind spun.

Anything.

No, Harry hissed involuntarily. Draco's eyes were flashed for a second.

Who is he?

Harry's breath came in short spurts at the proximity. He felt the coolness of Draco washing over him and he wondered what Draco felt. He also chided himself for wondering what Draco felt.

He is – a friend?

Harry's teeth were clenched as he tried not to let the snake's inconsistent squeezes derail him. Harry knew that confusion he felt was the same emotion that was mirrored in Draco's face.

He is attracted.

Harry's mind was working too slowly. I know, Harry hissed softly. Draco's eyes fell shut as though he was trying to reign himself in.

You are attracted.

Harry almost blanched at the comment. I know, he said in a strangled whisper. Draco seemed to be trying to pull away. His head was tilting away from Harry and his grip was loosening ever so gradually.

Who is he?

Malfoy…

"Hmm?" Draco opened his eyes and looked at Harry.

Harry's panic doubled. Malfoy…

Draco's eyes flicked from Harry's emerald irises to his lips. Draco…

Draco's eyes fell shut as he trembled. "S – stop," he gasped.

Does he want me to stop? Harry asked in a daze. Draco was coming undone in front of him.

No.

"Yes."

Harry's head tilted at the answers. He doesn't know? Harry asked. Draco was digging his fingers into Harry's shoulder as though to ground himself.

No, he is not sure what you are doing to him.

But he wants me to continue.

Of course, don't you see it? The snake was now unraveling itself from Harry's arm. He is not lonely anymore. He wants to continue.

He will hate me.

He will love you.

Harry's skin rose with goose bumps. Draco would love him. Draco? Draco's eyes shot open. Harry saw the desire in the dilated grey irises.

W – will you love me? Draco shuddered but couldn't pull away from Harry's eyes. Harry's hand came up and touched Draco's jaw, almost as if to make sure he wasn't a figment. He expected Draco to flinch away. Draco leaned into the touch instead. The snake slithered away into the reeds, unbeknownst to the boys.

You are – aroused? Draco moaned, biting his lip and blushing. He tried to look away, but Harry held him still.

Because of me… Draco's fluttering pulse was besting him. His eyes refused to focus.

I never knew. Draco was panting with fervor now, his eyes half-shut and his lips trembling.

Draco… Draco moaned again, this time out of passion. The build up in him was wreaking havoc in his body. He felt Harry's words caressing him and pulling him forward. He didn't know which way was forward. He was stumbling in the dark. Harry was the only one guiding him now. He couldn't even help himself. It was all Harry… "Harry," Draco breathed.

Harry's heart thudded painfully in his chest. Draco was letting go. And he was afraid. They were both afraid. Should I stop?

"No…"

Harry felt a surge of emotion rush into him. You are not alone anymore… Draco's arms blindly sought Harry and he pushed himself against Harry's chest. He was half seated on Harry's lap and his head was buried into Harry's shoulder. Harry could feel Draco's fast breath and rapid pulse against his body.

And I won't be alone anymore. The words coursed through Draco, licking at his desire and making him weak. Harry's arms pulled Draco closer to him. His mouth was atop Draco's ear now.

I will love you too. Draco felt faint. Harry's voice rang distantly in his ear. He didn't know what to make of it. But his body was responding in ways he never knew were possible. Everything contracted inside him, making it hard for him to breathe. He gasped for air as he held onto Harry for dear life. It felt like Harry was his life.

Draco.

"H – Harry… Please, I – I'm –" Draco stammered mutedly.

I know. A thrill ran down Draco's spine, causing him to twitch. He was afraid to move, lest this be a dream. I know. Draco groaned as his arousal throbbed and his head spun out of control.

I know. Harry knew that Draco was here and he was real. He was in Harry's arms. They weren't alone anymore.

Now. Draco felt himself being pulled up and Harry's mouth was moving against his. His passion burst into fire as he released. He moaned and gasped into Harry's lips as he climaxed. Harry crushed Draco against him, the pure kisses filled with acceptance and love. Draco fell into Harry's love without another thought. Draco felt his body boiling as his climax flowed through him wave after wave. It never seemed to stop. He didn't want it to stop. He felt like he was plunging down, hurtling from the heavens. But he wasn't afraid. Harry was going to catch him. And then they were going to fly again. Harry let Draco's lips rest against his when he realized that Draco was too far gone to know what was happening. Draco felt Harry's hands tracing his back over his shirt. He felt Harry's breath against his cheek. He felt Harry's lips against his. And he felt his release ebbing away slowly, leaving him exhausted. He fell onto Harry tiredly. Harry held Draco against him. Their breaths came together, as did their thoughts.

I love you, Draco.

"I love you, Harry."