"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," harry whispered before briefly tapping the map.

This was his favorite part. He loved how the map blossomed before him, ink spreading slowly across the pages. He felt a twinge of pain in his chest as he read the names. All dead now, he thought soberly. He unfolded the map hoping to find someone pacing so he could watch them until he fell asleep. He rubbed his forehead, though his scar didn't hurt. His eyes looked up and down the hallways and classrooms as he looked for someone, anyone moving. Quite suddenly, he found someone.

Draco was pacing back and forth outside the Gryffindor common room. Sweat sheened on his pale skin and his hair was mused in a very non-Malfoy way. He frantically tugged at his hair and turned back to the Fat Lady.

"Please?" he pleaded, "Just for a bit?"

"You know I can't, Draco," the Lady sighed, "I tell you every night. I'm not allowed to admit anyone without the password."

"I know, I know," Draco hissed, "But I need him! I am going to die!"

"You haven't died any other night," the Lady pointed out.

"But it's worse than before," Draco whined.

Harry hurried down the steps into the common room. What the devil is he doing outside the Gryffindor common at this time of night? He thought as he strode over to the portrait. He heard muffled voices on the other side of it. As he neared, he drew to a halt right in front of it. He leaned forward to hear the conversation.

"Please?" Draco begged, "I won't hurt anyone! I promise!"

"I can't admit you without the password, Draco," the Lady said firmly, "We've been through this a hundred times."

"I know!" Draco nearly shouted at her, "But I have to ask. I don't know why!"

"Dear, perhaps you should go back to your bed and think about it in the morning?" the Lady tried to sound soothing.

"I can't," Draco muttered miserably, "My feet won't let me. I have to stay until almost daybreak. That's how it is. But if you just let me in, I could go! I'd go in and see him and then just leave! No harm done!"

"I can't, Draco," the Lady answered sadly, "I wish I could help you, but I can't."

Draco groaned in frustration and tugged on his hair.

Harry's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion at the conversation happening outside his common room. Finally he became too curious and decided to confront Malfoy. He started to push the portrait open and was met with protest.

"No! Close it back! Don't open it!" the Lady hissed in panic.

Her panic rose as a certain black haired head poked around the corner of the portrait. She hissed at him, gesturing for him to get back inside. Harry raised an eyebrow and stepped out anyway. She smacked her head and growled.

"What's going on out here?" Harry whispered, as he swung the portrait closed.

"Yes!" Malfoy screeched and he flew at him.

Harry was bewildered by the sudden attack and went for his wand. He was surprised when he received a hug rather than a hex. He stood stock still for several moments, blinking hard in shock. Malfoy squeezed him hard, burying his face in Harry's neck. Harry was stunned for a moment, but slowly found himself wrapping his arms around the mass clinging to him like his life depended on it.

"Malfoy?" harry questioned (still very confused), "What's going on?"

"Mmm," was Malfoy's only response.

Harry tried several more times to get the Slytherin to talk to him. He was only met with more grunts, so he gave up. Eventually, the blonde untangled himself and walked away. Harry wasn't sure how long they'd been standing there, hugging. Probably hours by the state of my weak legs, harry thought as he watched Malfoy walk away. He felt the insane urge to yell at him and call him back to his arms, but he quickly dismissed that and turned back to the Fat Lady, who allowed him in after he gave her the password. She gave him a pained look as he climbed in the common room.

He climbed up the stairs, his head heavy and his eyelids drooping. He managed to stumbled into his room and find his bed. He threw himself down and shifted slightly. He was asleep before he could even ask himself what the bloody hell?

Draco made it to the Slytherin common room without difficulty. It didn't much matter that his eyes were closed or that he was asleep; he knew the way by heart. He shuffled to his bed and laid down, though he'd been asleep for a very long time before his head hit the pillow.