Epilogue, The Fourth Lesson: How to Go On (...But I'm Willing to Try.)

They buried Blaise at mid-day. Draco didn't know if that had any special meaning, or if that was just how it ended up being. Draco didn't know why so many people had shown up for Blaise's funeral nor why they had been told to wear bright colors. Draco didn't know if there was special meaning to the Muggle song that had been played during the viewing of the body (Linkin' Park's Leave Out All the Rest). Draco didn't know why there was a smile on the face of Blaise's corpse. Draco didn't know why Blaise was being buried in the middle of a forest. Draco, reluctantly, realized that he didn't know Blaise.

Six years they had gone to school together. Six years they had shared a dorm, a common room, classes, meals, living space. Six years spent not knowing anything about Blaise other than his name, his House, and the fact that he didn't quite fit. Yet it had only taken two days- it should have been three- for Blaise to make in impact on his life. It had only taken two days- it should have been three- for Draco to feel he'd earned his right to be at Blaise's funeral. It had only taken two days- it should have been three... no it should have been six years. It would have been six years if Draco had just put forth the effort to get to know the boy. But Draco didn't dwell on it.

Lesson one had been that you can't change the past so don't blame yourself.

People were staring at Draco. Some with curiosity, some openly malicious, all wondering why he was there. They knew that he hadn't know Blaise. They felt he didn't belong there. I bet they were waiting for him to do something to dishonor Blaise's passing. Maybe that's what he would have done back when he'd seen Blaise as something barely above the status of Blood Traitor; back when he was the son his father wanted him to be. Back when he himself didn't know who Draco Malfoy truly was. But he wasn't that person anymore. Silently he listened to the sermon given by some unfamiliar face, he viewed the body, sent up a prayer for Blaise's crossing, and whispered condolences to Dean Thomas. He ignored the whispers about his presence and didn't act the way the expected him to.

Lesson two had been how to find yourself and how to be yourself.

After the funeral service, Draco returned to Hogwarts. He and all the others who attended the funeral had been given the day off from classes and Draco just knew Blaise's tree would be getting a lot of traffic that evening from people who had met the Slytherin there for three days and had their lives' changed. People who had met him for three days, but never returned for a fourth day until now when it was too late. Draco watched from a distance as all the comers and goers paid their respects. He remained there in his secluded spot watching until long after night fall, until finally the person he'd been waiting for arrived.

Lesson three had been how to love yourself and let other's love you.

It was time for Draco to complete his third lesson.

Harry didn't seemed surprise by Draco's sudden presence with him under the tree. He just peered up at him with those Avada Kedavra green eyes, before nodding his understanding and allowing Draco to sit next to him. They just sat there for a while, neither of them spoke a word and who made the first move was not important. What was important was the warmth spreading through Draco when Harry's lips met his own. What was important was the knowledge that this boy loved him and that Draco was willing to accept that now.

Their gentle kisses led to roaming hands and clothes being removed. They fitted perfectly together as they laid on the ground and explored each other's flesh. Pleasure built within them as they held on to each other and made love under Blaise's tree... a giving tree... the tree that had taught him to be human. As Draco and Harry became one and reached towards oblivion together, Draco realized the lesson that Blaise would have taught if anyone chose to return for the fourth day. And as he and Harry laid together in the aftermath of their release, Draco couldn't have been happier.

Because I love you, and we are both of us just a little afraid, but I'm willing to try.

Class Dismissed.