Wow, can you believe that after about a year of nothing, I actually decided to post the chapter with Draco's point of view. It didn't seem as if the story garnered much attention, but for some reason, today I thought about it again and wanted to write it, so I did. It's not just a rehashing of the previous chapter, I tried to make t different as it is Draco's side and I must admit, I feel it became a bit more romantic. In hindsight, it's obvious it would, as Draco was himself throughout those three weeks, not an almost eleven year old with flashes of older memories.

Thank you sooooooo much to 4701rose and kase519 for reviewing, you two are amazing, as well as the ten favourites and three follows. I must warn you, the chapter is unbeta'd and my 'i' button has been giving me trouble, so I apologise if there's an i missing somewhere.

Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 2: Draco's POV

Draco glanced up at the loud 'crack' that resounded through the clearing, heaving himself up from where he had been crouched as he attended to his plants. An auror, clad in deep red robes, strode towards him, the same auror that had been assigned to Draco three years ago and the only other person Draco had seen in those three years.

"Malfoy, nothing amiss I trust." Draco nodded and sighed imperceptibly as the man seemed to ignore him as he walked around, poking his nose in cupboards and rifling through Draco's modest cottage. Though the blond guessed he should be grateful the auror, one John Bailish, didn't abuse his power or torment Draco, the indifference the man showed stung. The Slytherin sometimes wished for just a little bit of company, just someone to talk to, but then he crushed those foolish thoughts. No one would want to talk to a criminal and Death Eater like him and besides, he still had a year to complete of his sentencing.

"Your wand." Jerked out of his thoughts, Draco, still reluctant after all these years, handed over his wand to his minder, watching as various spells were performed on it. Once the auror had ensured the restrictions and charms on the wand still held strong, he handed it back to its owner. "Well, all seems in order. I'll see you again next month Malfoy." With that, the auror walked away, making his way to beyond the wards before disappearing with a crack. Sighing, the blond slowly moved to where he had been tending to his plants, making sure insects and the like hadn't gotten to them.

As always, the silence of being the only person in this area of the woods pressed down on him, smothering him in loneliness. He'd long since accepted his punishment, his isolation, but after three years, he felt as if he would never be able to function in normal society again. He was slowly going insane and despite telling himself it was only for another year, he wasn't sure he will be able to make t intact as himself. Tracing a butterfly with his eyes, he shook his hair out of his eyes, scowling as he told himself to stop dwelling on things he couldn't change and turned his attention back to the white bloom in front of him.

Stroking the soft petals as he check for diseases, Draco continued tending to his plants as he had for the last three years.

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His body ached as he trudged towards his cottage, his arms full of potions ingredients he had just spent the entire day harvesting. His back was sore and his calves protested against the movement as his mind dreamed longingly of his bed. He was so deeply ensconced in his thoughts, that he almost missed the lumpy shape lying half off the path that led to his cottage. As it was, he about stumbled over a stretched out arm and just managed to catch himself against a tree as he ensured his ingredients didn't get damaged by his near fall. Turning back, he scowled down at what he thought was a branch, till he saw the shape of a hand in the gloom and fingers twitching.

His mind standing still, Draco stared frozenly at the twitching limb, jumping as he heard a low groan from the lump, he slowly inched closer, shuffling the plants in his arms around so that he could get out his wand. Muttering a soft 'lumos' he held the lighted wand tip out and could feel his mouth drop open as his eyes widened. He couldn't wrap his mind around what he saw, as it couldn't be true. If it was… it meant that Harry Potter, Boy Who Lived and Saviour of the Wizarding world, was lying unconscious in the woods, a few metres away from his cottage.

The man had to arrive some time during the day when Draco was out collecting ingredients, as he hadn't seen him when he left this morning at dawn. Biting his lip, he glanced around, sure that Potter couldn't be alone, but the forest was quiet around them. Sighing, he flicked his wand and the unconscious body of his rival levitated into the air, floating behind Draco as he walked back to his house. He placed the potions ingredients he had harvested in a basket set by his brewing table that's there exactly for that purpose, and he directed Potter's limp body towards his bedroom. Placing the injured man on the bed, he realised for the first time that his rival was bleeding heavily, though dirt had clotted in the wound, slowing it down and possibly preventing him from bleeding out.

Fetching a towel and a small tub of hot water, he cleaned the wound, grimacing as he saw the torn flesh that was swollen red. Fetching a fever-reducer and an anti-bacterial potion, he gently massaged Potter's throat to get him to swallow the potions, chuckling as the man grimaced at the taste even whilst asleep. Making sure the wound was clean, he wrapped it in bandages and administered a blood-replenishing potion, as well as a general healing potions. He was suddenly grateful that he had to make potions for St Mungo's, as he had several of the standard healing potions on hand instead of having to brew them now.

Looking at the face of the Boy Who Loved, Draco could see the remains of the man's glasses hanging off his one ear, the lenses shattered and the frame bent. Knowing he didn't have spare glasses and he couldn't transfigure the right prescription for the man, he fetched one of his original creations, a potion that heals the optic nerves in the eye and restored a person's eyesight. Using a dropper, he carefully peeled back each eyelid and dropped three drops of the potion on each. It would take the night, but by next morning, Potter would have 20-20 eyesight.

Finally finished, he sat back and just stared at the impossible sight in front of him. Though he had no idea how it came to be, his mind was finally accepting that Harry Potter was indeed asleep on his bed, and that he didn't seem to be waking up anytime soon.

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Draco puttered around at his work station, packing away the potions ingredients and preserving those he had to, while drying some of the others. It was the morning after he had found Potter and the git still hadn't woken up, so he had been keeping himself busy after an uncomfortable night on his transfigured couch. He had worried for a bit over what he was going to do now, as he couldn't contact anyone from the Ministry, having never mastered the Patronus charm and any other forms of communication being non-existent for him.

He wasn't sure if he would be able to live with Potter for another three and a half weeks, as he was sure the git would whine and torment him, though Draco was sure he'd deserve everything Potter could dish up. He assumed that Potter's part in his trial was out of a misguided sense of responsibility and not because Potter actually cared about Draco.

Hearing noise from the direction of his room, he froze for a second, before steeling himself. It seems his guest was awake and he wanted to stop Potter before the twat wrecked his house in his panic. Walking towards the door, he opened it and peered into the room, feeling his heart stopping as he saw the rumpled but empty bed. Glancing around as he walked in, he couldn't see the injured man anywhere and he felt exasperation rise up in him.

"Potter! Where in the devil are you, you idiotic Gryffindor!" Hearing a squeak from the closet behind him, he turned and, feeling a sense of incredulousness rise up in him, walked closer, before opening the closet. A dark blur rocketed out and Draco automatically caught the struggling body n his arms, trying to calm the panicked man down. The next moment, he felt a strong fist slam into his jaw, causing Draco to curse loudly as he felt his ire rise.

"Potter! For merlin's sake, stay still! I won't hurt you, I'm trying to help you, you bloody prat!" Feeling his guest abruptly cease his fervent struggling, he cautiously lessened his grip and watched as the man immediately ripped himself out of his arms, scuttling backwards till he hit the wall. Draco cupped his jaw as he glared at the man, though he also took the time to study his rival.

Potter had filled out since he last saw him, though his hair remained tousled and his infamous lightning scar was just about visible through the strands. Without his glasses to block his eyes, the emerald orbs stood out even more vividly, causing Draco to swallow slightly. Despite the way Draco appreciated Potter's growth, the pain in his jaw had his anger winning out over his curiosity as he stalked forwards, determined to give the prat a piece of his mind. It was only as the Gryffindor huddled further into himself and lifted his arms over his head, vaguely reminiscent of Draco's own defensive actions when the Dark Lord was angry with him, that the blond paused.

"Potter, what in merlin's name are you doing?" Sighing as he got no answer, he ignored the man and took out his wand, summoning a glass which he filled with water. Perhaps Potter was still disorientated, as the man was now gaping at him in an unseemly manner. He walked forwards, to give his rival the water, before the ebony-haired man's next words stopped him in his tracks.

"How did you do that!?" a feeling of dread came over him, but he kept his voice calm as he answered.

"What do you mean how did I do that? Did you finally snap Potter? It was magic of course, don't tell me you're really as stupid as you look!"

Potter's words about magic not being real caused the blond to roll his eyes, his voice sharp as he answered, "What? Potter, are you daft? Of course-" Draco felt his words cut off as a horrible suspicion wormed its way into his brain and he looked closely at the man who he had assumed was his rival as he knew him.

"Potter, do you know who I am?" As his guest shook his head, Draco wanted to rant and rave, sure now that his suspicion proved true. He conjured a chair as he sat down, his legs not being able to support him. Potter had lost his memories. Now he only had to make sure how much of his memories he lost.

"If I may ask, how old are you?"

"I'm ten. I'm turning eleven in five months." Draco couldn't keep the shock off his face, as the man had lost almost ten years of his life. He ignored Potter's awkward shuffling, his mind still processing that he was in effect dealing with a child.

"Potter, what year is it?"

"1991, right." Draco sighed deeply, dropping his head into his hand, ruffling the blonde hair with his fingers.

"Potter, it's not 1991. The year is 2001. And you're 21 years old."

He could see the man didn't believe him and, ignoring his protests, he conjured a mirror and placed it in front of the Gryffindor. He would admit that the widening of those verdant eyes and the gobsmacked expression caused a smug feeling to rise up in him, before it faded away again; as he realised this meant Potter didn't know anything about the Wizarding world.

Potter was still as Draco explained to him about magic being real and his life up till now. Well, at least the summarised version of everything Draco knew. The Gryffindor's expression was dazed as his eyes were far away, as if he saw something Draco couldn't see and the Slytherin couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with his memories. This new Potter puzzled Draco, as his behaviour wasn't really what he could remember from when he had first met him, though Draco would be the first to admit his view had been a bit skew then.

"So, who are you? You must know me if you call me Potter." The innocent question jerked the blond back to the present and he stared at his rival, once again feeling out of sorts as he answered.

"My name is Draco Malfoy. We were in the same year at Hogwarts."

"We must not have been friends, if you aren't calling me Harry." Draco snorted, before he chuckled dryly.

"No, we definitely weren't friends. In fact, we hated each other and in our later years, even tried to kill each other." Draco could see that his words shocked the man, and he had to remind himself that he was talking to a ten-year old, not to the 21 year old he was seeing in front of him.

"What could make you want to kill someone? I can't imagine hating someone enough to want to kill them." Draco glanced away in shame, knowing he couldn't keep his past from Potter, especially as he was certain the man would regain his memories at some point. Squaring his shoulders, he took a deep breath as his face hardened.

"The evil wizard that I mentioned, he was the one who killed your parents when you were one years old. He tried to kill you as well, but it didn't work and instead he vanished, leaving you with that scar of yours. When he came back in our fourth year, you obviously were his enemy and fought against him. I, on the other hand, was fighting for him. Of course, I didn't actually do anything until our sixth year, but nevertheless, you knew my father was one of his servants and hated me for it, just as I hated you for being who you are. So when the war broke out and you were trying to find a way to defeat him, I was torturing for him."

He could see the revulsion on the Gryffindor's face and he smirked self-deprecatingly. Figured Potter lost his memories, but kept his Gryffindor sense of justice. "You fought for the evil wizard?! How could you do that? Didn't you know it was wrong?"

Draco stared back at Harry, his face impassive as he shrugged. "Sure, I knew it was wrong later on, but by then, I was already in his army. You don't disobey the Dark Lord."

Harry snorted in what Draco assumed was disgust as he answered. "I would never have fought for him, no matter what. I would rather have died." With that one last scathing comment, he turned his back on Draco. Standing, he looked at the man's tension-filled back, his mind in turmoil as he left the room. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but Potter's words had hurt. Somewhere inside him, a part of him agreed with Potter.

Once he had realised how revolting and insane the Dark Lord really was, he should have made a greater effort to get his family away from him. He didn't however, and now his father was locked in Azkaban for live and his mother lived alone in Malfoy Manor. He deserved his punishment, and he deserved Potter's disgust. Sighing, he started brewing, knowing he only had a few weeks to brew all the potions St Mungo's needed and as the Golden Boy wasn't speaking to him, he could just as well continue with his work.

It seemed like time flew by and when he looked up again, he realised it was closer to dinner-time than he had thought. Bottling his potions, he cleaned up the brewing table and moved to his kitchen, starting on dinner for him and his unexpected guest. He was sure Potter had to be starving at this point, so he made chicken fillet, potatoes and steamed vegetables. It wasn't long before he became aware of Potter peeking out of the room, his movements hesitant.

"Come sit down so long. Dinner is almost ready." With a flick of his wand, Draco had the cutlery and plates float to the table, along with the salt and pepper and a jug of pumpkin juice. The jug poured juice in both glasses and Draco smiled when he saw the wondering expression on the Gryffindor's face as he drained the glass and looked at everything around him. Flicking his wand again, the pots floated to the table, startling Potter as he was pouring himself another glass of pumpkin juice as they set down.

Draco huffed as he saw the jade-eyed man hesitate as he eyed the food and he grabbed the Gryffindor's plate, dishing up for him before he dished for himself. Sitting back, he started eating, keeping an inconspicuous eye on Potter as he cautiously started eating. He couldn't contain his smugness at seeing the man practically inhale his food, as he knew his cooking had improved leaps and bounds after being forced to cook for himself for three years. Seeing the way Potter almost tipped his chair over as he leaned back after finishing his dinner, Draco coughed, trying to stifle his chuckles, though if he judged by the blush rising in Potter's cheeks, he wasn't entirely successful.

"Why are you living in the woods? And why can't you take me back home, or at least to someone who could help me get back my memories?" Draco looked at the man across from him, considered him intently before swallowing the food he was chewing and answering.

"Because I was on the Dark Lord's side in the war, after he was defeated, I had to stand trial for my crimes. They decided that because I was still underage when I was recruited, that I wouldn't be thrown into Azkaban, the wizarding prison. Instead I would be under house arrest at a remote location and my wand restricted. Seeing as I hurt so many people during those two years I was part of the Dark Lord's service, I would spend the next four years brewing potions for St. Mungo's, the wizarding Hospital to make up for it. You see, I'm really good at potions and in fact, I intend to get my Mastery in it after my house arrest is finished.

"This is my last year being on house arrest in this cabin in the middle of a magical forest. Since this forest is so dangerous, it's really difficult to get this deep on your own and even worse to try and get out. With my wand being restricted, I cannot apparate or cast offensive spells. Even my defensive spells are limited. Once a month, an auror comes to check on me. Unlucky for you, he was here three days before I found you, so it'll be a while before he comes again and you can get out. I don't even have an owl to send a message with, since he also usually takes the potions I've prepared with him. I'm actually surprised you made it this deep with no wand, no glasses and injured without getting killed."

Draco could see the man with the memories of a boy was considering his words, his brow furrowed as he sat back. Draco saw Potter's hand jump to his face after a moment and he felt amusement rise in him as he realised Potter had finally noticed his lack of glasses. Deciding to clear it up for him, he spoke up.

"It's a potion I invented, to correct eyesight. You're actually the first person I've given it to, so I'm glad to see it worked. I told you I'm good at potions." Leaving the man to absorb the information, Draco floated the dished to the sink and set them to wash and dry themselves. Seeing that he had the ebony-haired man's attention, he spoke again.

"You can go sleep in the room which you woke up in. The bathroom is that door on the left there, if you need it. In the cupboard under the sink you will find an extra toothbrush and there is soap and shampoo in the shower." Draco turned and once again transfigured his couch into a bed, ignoring Potter as he made his way to the bathroom. He could hear the shower running and he sighed as he sat down on his make-shift bed.

If tonight was going to set the atmosphere for the duration of Potter's stay, Draco thought he preferred being alone.

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Draco sighed as he sat back down on the grass where he had been tending to his plants. Of course, Potter could remember Draco's brief stint as a ferret and, even worse, the night on the Astronomy Tower. He hadn't even known that the Gryffindor had been there that night, but he obviously had. Draco couldn't help but admit that the horror-struck expression on Potter's face as he listened to Draco talking about that night had caused a lance of pain to pierce his chest, even more so when the man had ignored his calls as he ran into Draco's cottage. Four days of this strained atmosphere and Draco still didn't know what to do. It was better if Potter didn't get close to him, as he could give nothing good to the Gryffindor by associating with him.

Deep within himself, he also had to admit that he didn't want to get close to Potter, only for the man to leave or regain his memories. If he started to like the Gryffindor's company, only for the Gryffindor to reject him when he regained his memories, he didn't think he would be able to survive intact. The man was the first company he had for over three years and he yearned to speak to him properly, instead of having Potter just avoid him. He sighed, going back to his work. It was better this way, even if it caused him pain.

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Draco looked around in wonderment. His entire house was covered in yellow goo. The floor, walls, the roof, everything! Potter was still laughing as he lounged on a goo covered couch, seeming to revel in Draco's dismay. The sight of those sparkling emerald eyes and lopsided grin had Draco's own lips twitching and he chuckled as he plopped down next to Potter. He was quite tired after the seeming war he and the Gryffindor had raged, but he couldn't help but realise it had cleaned the air between them, as he had never seen his guest so relaxed before.

"I'm sorry for being a prat. I maybe don't like the things you did, but it's in the past and it's not fair of me to judge you when I can't remember the circumstances." Draco knew his expression reflected the incredulousness he felt, but he couldn't help the small piece of annoying warmth that lodged itself in his chest. He knew he shouldn't be glad that Potter wanted to try and get along with him, he knew he was the one who would be hurt in the end, but he was so lonely.

He couldn't help himself. "It's alright. If anyone has the right to judge, it's you."

Their relationship continued to improve through the week and Harry even started to help Draco prepare his potions. Draco smiled as he watched Harry gathering ingredients, the man chattering as he plucked and dug out plants, being careful not to damage them.

Harry

The feeling that rose up in him at calling his rival by his given name had Draco smothering a smile, but that annoying warmth in his chest continued to grow by the hour. He and Harry talked about everything and nothing and Draco found that he didn't even mind talking about the war and heavier topics like it. Harry's laugh was infectious and the grey-eyed man found himself smiling more often, enjoying himself for the first time in years. He started to forget his misgivings, paying more and more attention to the Gryffindor as the man thawed his heart and the pain he carried in it.

The weeks passed as he grew closer to his cheerful verdant-eyed rival and there were times when Draco found his eyes tracing Harry's movements and his mind dwelling on strange, unattainable dreams. It was one evening as Draco was reading a potion's book, that Harry came into the room and waited for him to finish reading as he watched him intently. Harry's request for Draco to tell him everything about Harry that he knew had the blond seize up. He had been so happy for company, had been so grateful for the Gryffindor's friendship, that he had forgotten the man had none of the horrible memories of Draco and he was terrified that the Gryffindor would reject him if he knew.

However, he felt he owed it to him to tell him and so he started from the beginning. As he told Harry of his life, he saw the same vacant, far-off expression on Harry's face and he paused as he saw tears starting to pour down his rival's face. Hesitating, he went on, certain the Gryffindor was regaining his memories and he had to force the words out as he felt his throat struggle to produce the sounds that would lead to his rejection. Finally, he fell silent, just observing the still Gryffindor.

Draco sat forward as Harry gasped and his body started trembling as he finished regaining his memories. The Gryffindor was a mess, babbling incoherently and Draco couldn't deny his urge to wrap his arms around the man he was starting to care for, murmuring soft nothings to him as he rubbed Harry's back. Draco closed his eyes at the pain the Gryffindor must feel, tightening his arms as Harry clutched at his shirt. Draco sat with Harry till his body relaxed and his guest turned friend fell asleep. Gently brushing ebony strands out of his face, he carried the man to his bedroom, placing him softly under the covers, before leaving the room.

The next day, Draco was sitting under the warm sun as he breathed in the clean air. Harry had dragged him out of the house after he had grown tired of brewing potions and Draco was secretly glad for the distraction. The relief he felt when he realised Harry didn't hate him and wouldn't reject him was overwhelming and he wasn't entirely in the mood to spend the day inside. The knowledge that Harry and the Weaslette wasn't together anymore also caused the warmth in his chest to grow, which by now was almost the size of a quaffle. Harry's question about his own love life snapped him out of his musings and he felt the familiar tightening of loneliness in his chest.

"Kind of difficult to find someone to date when you're in isolation in a remote location. But it's fine. I understand that it's to make up for all that I've done, so this is a small price to pay." Harry's head snapped up and Draco was surprised to see an expression of anger on his face.

"Draco, you do know that you didn't deserve this right? You were a child that was forced to follow the most evil of dark Lords in a long time. If you didn't do what he asked, not just you, but your family would also have died. Even then you defied him and saved my life at the manor. You shouldn't be locked away for four years with no friends being able to visit. You know that right?"

Draco turned his head away, avoiding the piercing emerald gaze as he refused to answer, but Harry would have none of it. Leaning forward, the man caught the Slytherin's chin and gently turned his face back, their faces so close together that Draco could feel the Gryffindor's breath on his face and see the dark rings of forest green around his pupils.

"You don't deserve this. I won't say you did nothing wrong, but you certainly didn't do something bad enough to warrant this. You did what you had to too survive the war, just as everyone did. They don't understand, because they weren't in your position, but it takes immense bravery to live in the same house as Voldemort and come out alive and sane." Draco could feel the tears he wouldn't allow to fall burn his eyes and he didn't even have it in him to protest as Harry pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around the blond as Draco's own arms snaked around his neck.

Draco vainly tried to stop his body's trembling, but Harry's words, words he had longed for, caused all his walls to crumble. For so long, he had blamed himself and torn himself apart with his guilt and here Harry was, the one person who could really blame him and be justified in doing so, telling him that it wasn't entirely his fault. Draco clutched the man he was rapidly developing feelings for closer, revelling in the strong arms wrapped around him. They sat that way till the sun went down and the cool night air calmed them down.

It was some time later, after Draco had calmed down and released the Gryffindor, that they were laying side by side as Draco tried to teach Harry the constellations. Memories of his own mother teaching it to him playing in his mind as he smiled gently, hyper aware of Harry's warmth against his side. Draco chuckled at Harry's ineptitude when it came to tracing the stars and he scooted closer; placing his head right by the Gryffindor's and guided Harry's hand with his own. The warmth in his chest threatened to take him over as his entire body was lightly pressed to Harry's the Gryffindor oblivious as his brow was furrowed in concentration as he traced the stars.

"Draco, look, I did i-" Draco's eyes widened as he found himself nose-to-nose with Harry, the excitement in those jade eyes turning into something unrecognisable as they bored into Draco's own grey-blue eyes. It felt as if time stood still and Draco couldn't move even if he wanted to, which he didn't. when Harry's chapped but soft and warm lips pressed against his own, Draco's eyes widened even further as he gasped lightly and his brain stuttered and jerked to a stop as Harry pressed closer, his tongue tracing Draco's bottom lip and slipping into the gap of Draco's lips, stroking over the blond's own tongue.

The warmth of Harry's tongue caused Draco's brain to short-circuit and before he knew what he was doing, he was pressing closer to the man next to him, fervently kissing him back. His hand somehow ended up in Harry's dark locks, pressing his body closer to the Gryffindor's and pulling Harry closer by his hair. A heat seemed to sear into his waist as Harry's hand rested there and as Harry moulded his body to Draco's, Draco's senses returned.

Ripping himself away from the panting and confused Gryffindor, Draco was on his knees, his lips tingling as he dazedly touched them and stared at the luscious Gryffindor, spread out before him like a forbidden feast.

"I- I'm sorry… I- I can't…" Draco couldn't take it anymore and jumping up, he ran towards the cottage as if the hounds of hell were on his tail. Bursting into the house, he bolted towards the bathroom and slammed the door shut, flinging a locking charm at it as he sank down against it. He couldn't believe what he had just done. Harry was leaving in a few days and here he was, kissing him like an in love idiot.

His mind froze, stuck on that one small word. Love. He groaned, his hands clutching his hair as his chest clenched in pain. He couldn't believe how stupid he was. When Harry left here, he wasn't going to want to come back. Draco had warned himself and had been doing ok until that day Harry had initiated the prank war and they had ended up covering the house in yellow goo.

Now he was the one who would be hurt, be left behind once again and he wasn't sure his heart could take it. He had already fallen too deep. He didn't know how long he sat there for, but finally he decided to stop expecting the worst and just talk to Harry. The relief of finally deciding to resolve his feelings tomorrow had him falling asleep, propped against the door, still on the bathroom floor.

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Draco jerked awake as the sound of an explosion rocked the house, followed by another one. His mind on high alert, he leaped up and ripped open the door of the bathroom after unlocking it, striding towards his front door. He could see a group of five wizards with strange orbs hovering around them at the wards and he sneered as they assaulted it. He knew the wards wouldn't hold up long, as it wasn't made for keeping people out, and he had to do something. He was certain these were the people who had been after Harry, as they certainly wouldn't be after him, but he wouldn't allow them to hurt the Gryffindor.

Running outside, he casted any spell he knew to delay the falling of the wards, but he snarled in frustration as it didn't have any effect. Soon the wards were down and the five wizards stepped into the clearing, their dark grey robes swirling around them as their smooth blood-red mask were turned in Draco's direction. The strange orbs rushed at Draco, the blue, green, red, yellow and white one flitting around him as Draco tried to dodge the, uncertain as to what they did. He had never before cursed his inability to do offensive spells as he did at that moment.

Crying out, Draco clutched his arm closer as the red orb burned his skin and the blue one froze his clothes. His breath was knocked away as the green one slammed into his arm and he just about manged to dodge the yellow one heading straight for him. Just as he thought it would hit him, he could feel Harry's magic envelop him, forcing the orb off course, though he could feel the static of electricity making his hair stand on end as the white orb zoomed past.

"Draco! Watch out!" The Slytherin ducked as the red orb zoomed over his head and he glanced around frantically, happy that Harry was here to help him, but terrified as neither of them could fight properly, as Harry didn't have his wand and Draco's had restriction on it. Remembering the sound and feeling of static the white orb had and the effects the other's had, he came to the same conclusion as Harry, about them containing some form of the elements and his mind whirred as it thought of a way to defend against them.

Flicking his wand, Draco transfigured a blade of grass into a steel rod, feeling satisfaction as the white orb was pulled off path towards it. Grinning fiercely, Draco was aware of Harry using wandless magic to knock one of the wizard's unconscious and as he did so, the white orb disappeared from where it had been struggling to reach Harry. Meeting Harry's eyes, he nodded as he reached the same conclusion as the ebony-haired wizard and started fighting furiously, trying to knock the wizard's unconscious.

Draco could feel sweat beading on his forehead and running down his back as his wand whipped back and forth. Grass was transfigured into glass shards to distract his opponents and rocks was levitated and flung towards them. He transfigured vines into live ropes that tried to tangle the wizards up and any other supposedly harmless spell he could twist to meet his purposes. Another wizard was knocked away as Draco banished his robes, causing the wizard to be slammed into a large rock and he saw another drop to Harry's stunner.

There were finally just two wizards left and the only orbs still attacking was the yellow orb and the blue orb. Glancing at Harry, he smiled at how powerful and magnificent the wizard looked, his hair whipping in the wind and his eyes narrowed in concentration. The magic about hung around him like a cloak and Draco had never felt surer that he was in love. Looking back, his eyes widened as he saw the blue orb rushing towards him and he tried to dive away, but the orb turned sharply and blasted through his hand. He cried out as he clutched the stiff, blush appendage to his chest, his wand dropping from his unmoving fingers.

He looked up at Harry's gasp to see the yellow orb head directly towards him and he knew he would never be able to get away in time. He tried to movie his hand as his other, non-dominant hand fumbled for his wand as his eyes refused to leave the incoming danger. Just as he thought it would be too late, Harry's strong body knocked his to the ground and he watched in horror as the yellow orb slammed into his back, tearing his clothes and flesh apart. Blood was everywhere as the orb zoomed away before turned back, aiming again for Harry's injured body and Draco cried out, trying to get the man he loved off of him and out of the way of the powerful magic. Just as he manged to roll Harry over and braced himself for the orb's hit, it disappeared.

Looking up cautiously, he had never before been so relieved to see aurors swarming the clearing and all five of the attacking wizards stunned again and bound. He knew the aurors would want information, knew they would try and pin this on him, but for now, he was entirely focused on Harry's limp body.

"Harry! HARRY, wake up! Come one, don't do this to me!" Draco was vaguely aware of aurors surrounding him and tears streaming down his cheeks, but he didn't care.

All he could see was the amount of blood that seeped from Harry's back and the pale pallor of his skin.

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Draco sat in his armchair, his gaze dull as he stared listlessly at his brewing table. He should actually be preparing the next batch of potions, but he just couldn't find the will to do it. It had been almost two weeks since Harry had been whisked away by the aurors and he had no idea what had happened to the ebony-haired wizard.

After the aurors had questioned him, they had told him that the five wizards were the last of a new organisation that had started experimenting with new elemental magic and had decided Harry was the biggest threats to their ambitions of revolutionizing the world. The fact that a few junior death eaters that had escaped were part of this organisation only further encouraged their actions. At first, the aurors had believed that Draco was part of the group but later had to admit there was no way Draco could have been, as one of the spells the auror cast each month he visited was to see if any other human or otherwise presence was detected near the clearing or in it.

Now Draco sat here, all alone again as he thought of the wizard who wormed his way into his heart. He didn't know if Harry was still alive, but he hoped he was. Even though he knew Harry being alive would mean he was choosing to stay away from Draco, as he was certain the Boy Who Lived can somehow send him a message, he still hoped for it. He would rather Harry be alive and reject Draco, than Harry loving him but being dead.

He swallowed back his tears, determined not to cry. He would get over this. He would move on and as soon as the year was up, he would make a life for himself. He would forget these few weeks with Harry.

But not yet. For now the pain was still too much and he loved Harry too much to start moving past him. For now, he'll still remember Harry's smile and the quaffle of warmth in his chest that Harry ignited into a flaming inferno. He sunk deeper into his depression, his thoughts full of the lovable Gryffindor, before he heard a loud crack from outside. He jerked up, wondering if the aurors wanted to question him again. The small hope that it was Harry, smaller than a snitch, was brutally squashed as Draco heaved himself up, making his way to the front door. Opening it, he felt that hope bloom into a raging blaze as he stared into Harry's emerald gaze.

"Hey Draco." There was a moment when Draco didn't do anything, his shock too great as he blinked slowly, making sure that, yes, Harry really was standing a few metres from his front door, smiling sheepishly. It was that sheepish smile that drove Draco into action, causing him to rush forward with a strangled sob as he launched himself into the Gryffindor's arms, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck as his entire body trembled.

"I didn't know if you were alright. They just rushed you away and I got no news, so I wasn't sure if you survived, because there was so much blood…" Draco inhaled shakily, the tears he tried so hard to keep down the past two weeks finally tracking down his face. Harry's arms had tightened around him and he could hear the Gryffindor's soft voice murmuring gently in his ear.

"Hey, hey, shhhhhh, I'm fine, all healed up, I promise. I'm sorry it took me so long to get here." Harry pulled back and Draco looked up at gentle verdant eyes, filled with an emotion that caused the quaffle of warmth in his chest to roar and cover his entire body. Gentle fingers whipped the tears from his face and a warm hand cupped his jaw. The hesitance and uncertainty in Harry's eyes caused Draco to smile as warmth and desire filled him and he leaned forwards, pressing his lips to Harry's, as he had wanted to do since that night they shared their first kiss. As he pulled back, he was aware of the blush staining his cheeks and he knew he didn't have anything to offer Harry, but he wanted to try anyway.

"I-I know that I don't have a lot to offer and that you have no real reason to date me, but… but if you would wait one year, th-then…" Draco trailed off, biting his lip uncertainly as he glanced towards the ground. He didn't know why he ever thought Harry would want to be with someone who was as much effort and work as he was. He practically came with an entire closet full of skeletons and his own cans of worms. Feeling gentle fingers tilt his chin up, he gazed into Harry's eyes and he could finally name the emotion he saw there.

Love

"Draco… I would always wait for you, no matter how long. Luckily for us, we don't have to wait. The Wizengamot held a meeting to discuss your good behaviour and sentencing. They have decided to excuse you from your last year of house arrest. Except for the checks done on your wand every two months for a year, you'll be an ordinary citizen. You can start training for your potions mastery…" Draco stared at Harry, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly parted. "Draco, breath."

Exhaling a shuddering breath, Draco chuckled dryly, "Don't tell me you don't have anything to do with this Potter."

"Well…" Harry smiled winningly, fluttering his eyelashes as Draco laughed and kissed him again, his lips roving over Harry's as the Gryffindor pulled him closer. He felt Harry walk him backwards, pressing him into the wall of his cottage and Draco took the chance to jump up and wrap his legs around Harry's waist. Harry's hands were groping his bum as he supported Draco and the platinum blond felt his quaffle sized warmth devour him, igniting his blood as he moaned.

Harry's lips were like liquid fire against his own as their tongues battled and Draco was never more at home than he was in that moment. The sight of Harry's dazed eyes as he pulled back had him chuckling and he felt his body heat up as Harry flashed him that lopsided grin. A smile like that couldn't go unrewarded and Draco kissed him again…and again, and again…

And so started their happily ever after.

The End

Epilogue

Two years later

"DRACO! Ron told me you changed his auror nameplate to read Weasel!"

"He was asking for it Potter! He called me Ferret Face!"

"…Oh. Then I guess it's fair play. Good one luv!"

"I thought so too. Want to celebrate my victory?"

"Always."

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There, I hope it was enjoyable, sorry there wasn't more kisses, as I couldn't really add things that didn't happen in the first chap and I won't continue on, as this stays a one-shot. Please review and tell me what you thought, I love hearing from you guys:)