Chapter 18

Love(?) Consummated

Harry, Draco, Hermione, and Ron left the hospital noon the next day. Harry's dad and Sirius left during the morning after hearing several apologies from the Minister for the incident. James promised to see Harry at the station when school finishes, and told Draco to watch out for him. Harry found the entire school to be deserted. The sweltering heat and end of the exams meant that everyone was taking full advantage of another Hogsmeade visit. Neither Ron nor Hermione felt like going, however, so they and Harry wandered onto the grounds, Draco making sure that Harry never walked out of his hand. Sitting near the lake, watching the giant squid waving its tentacles lazily above the water, Harry lost the thread of the conversation as he laid down on Draco's lap.

A shadow fell across them and they looked up to see a very bleary-eyed Hagrid, mopping his sweaty face with one of his tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs and beaming down at them. "Guess what?" he said.

"What?" they said, pretending to look curious.

"Beaky! He escaped! He's free! Bin celebratin' all night!"

"That's wonderful!" Hermione said, giving Ron a reproving look because he looked as though he was close to laughing.

"Yeah …can't've tied him up properly," Hagrid said, gazing happily out over the grounds. "I was worried this mornin', mind, after Dumbledore brought Beaky back …thought he mighta met Professor Lupin-Black on the grounds, but Lupin says he never ate anythin' las' night. …"

"What?" Harry said quickly, shooting up from Draco's lap.

"Blimey, haven' yeh heard?" Hagrid said, his smile fading a little. He lowered his voice, even though there was nobody in sight. "Er—Snape told all the Slytherins this mornin'. …Thought everyone'd know by now …Professor Lupin's a werewolf, see. An' he was loose on the grounds las' night. …He's packin' now, o' course."

"he's packing?" Harry said, alarmed. "Why?"

"Leavin' isn' he?" Hagrid said, looking surprised that Harry had to ask. "Resigned firs' thing this mornin'. Says he can't risk it happenin' again."

Harry scrambled to his feet, Draco following.

"I'm going to go see him," he told Ron and Hermione.

"But if he's resigned—"

"—doesn't sound like there's anything we can do—"

"I don't care. I still want to see him. I'll meet you back here."

Lupin-Black's office door was open. He had already packed most of his things. The grindylow's empty tank stood next to his battered old suitcase, which was open and nearly full. Lupin-Black was bending over something on his desk and looked up only when Harry knocked on the door.

"I saw you two coming," Lupin-Black said, smiling. He pointed to the parchment he had been poring over. It was the Marauder's Map.

"We just saw Hagrid," Harry said.

"You're resigning?" Draco asked.

Lupin-Black nodded. "I'm afraid I am," he said. He started opening his desk drawers and taking out the contents.

"Why?"Harry asked.

Lupin crossed to the door and closed it behind the couple.

"Severus… accidently let slip that I am a werewolf this morning at breakfast," Lupin-Black said.

"You're not leaving just because of that!" Harry said.

Lupin-Black smiled wryly.

"This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving from parents. …They will not want a werewolf teaching their children, Harry. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten any of you. …That must never happen again."

"People," Draco said to Harry, "People really hate werewolves Harry. We think… they think, that werewolves are dangerous creatures. You remember Snape's lessons right?"

"Yeah but… Professor Lupin-Black's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!" Harry said. "Don't go!" he added, looking at Lupin-Black.

He shook his head and didn't speak. He carried on emptying his drawers. Then, while harry was trying to think of a good argument to make him stay, Lupin said, "From what the headmaster told me this morning, you saved a lot of lives last night, Harry. If I'm proud of anything I've done this year, it's how much you've learned. …Tell me about your Patronus."

"How d'you know about that?" Harry asked, distracted.

"What else could have driven the dementors back?"

Harry told Lupin what had happen. When he'd finished Lupin was smiling again. "Just like your father," he said. "Your Patronus is your father, like last night he always transformed into a stag. That's why we called him Prongs."

Lupin threw his last few books into his case, closed the desk drawers, and turned to look at Harry and Draco. "Here—I brought this from the Shrieking Shack last night," he said, handing Harry back the Invisibility Cloak. "And…" he hesitated, then held out the Marauder's Map too. "I'm sure your dad would yell at me if I didn't give this too. Not to mention Sirius too …"

Harry took the map and grinned.

Draco looked at Lupin-Black and said, "You have a son, right? What do you do… during the full moons?"

"If you're wondering if he's in risk of being hurt, don't worry," Lupin-Black said. "I've carried him for nine months, both as a human and a werewolf. The other me knows that Orion is my child."

"Is he err… you know," Draco asked.

"Half werewolf? No," Lupin-Black frowned. "I was so afraid that he was going to be like me. "He is fully human. I don't know what I would do if he… never mind, you two don't need to hear this."

There was a knock on the door. Harry hastily stuffed the Marauder's Map and the Invisibility Cloak into his pocket.

It was Professor Dumbledore. He didn't look surprised to see Harry there. Harry, however, was surprised to see a little kid walking after Dumbledore. The kid had ruffled black hair, and looked like a miniature Sirius. "Your carriage is at the gates, Remus," Dumbledore said, "as well as your escort."

"Hi Dad!" the child said.

"Thank you headmaster," Lupin-Black said before smiled at the child. "Hello Orion."

He boy came up to Lupin-Black and hugged him before looked at Professor Dumbledore. "Professor Dumbledore was telling me all about the castle," Orion told his dad.

Dumbledore chuckled and said, "He has quite a mind your son. I am sure Hogwarts will be more than happy to have him in our halls next September."

"Yes, thank you Headmaster," Lupin-Black said. He picked up his old suitcase and the empty grindlylow tank. "Well—good bye, Harry, Draco," he said, smiling. "It has been a real pleasure teaching you. I feel sure we'll meet again sometime. Headmaster, there is no need to see me to the gates, we can manage…"

Harry had the impression that Lupin-Black wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

"Good-bye, then, Remus," Dumbledore said soberly. Lupin-Black shifted the tank slightly so that he and Dumbledore could shake hands. Then, with a final nod to Harry and Draco and a swift smile, Lupin-Black left the office, Orion leading the way.

Harry sat down in his vacated chair, staring glumly at the floor. He heard the door close and looked up. Dumbledore was still there. "Why so miserable, Harry?" he said quietly. "You should be very proud of yourself after last night. You too, Draco."

"It didn't make any difference," Harry said bitterly. "Pettigrew got away."

"Didn't make any difference?" Dumbledore said quietly. "It made all the difference in the world, Harry. You helped uncover the truth. Your father and Sirius are alive, thanks to your help."

"I know, and I'm happy that he's safe but—" Harry remembered Trelawney's prediction—"Professor Dumbledore—yesterday, when I was having my Divination exam, Professor Trelawney went very—very strange."

"What do you mean Harry?" Draco asked, looking confused.

"Her voice went all deep and her eyes rolled and she said…she said Voldemort's servant was going to set out to return to him before midnight. …She said the servant would help him come back to power," Harry stared up at Dumbledore. "And then she sort of became normal again, and she couldn't remember anything she'd said. Was it—was she making a real prediction?"

"Do you know, Harry, I think she might have been," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Who'd have thought it? That brings her total of real predictions up to two. I should offer her a pay raise. …"

"But—"

"Relax Harry," Draco said. He walked towards Harry's chair and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend. "I know what you're thinking Harry, and it's not your fault. He might come back, but it's not your fault. You saved your dad, and Sirius, and that hippogriff. They would all be gone if it weren't for you."

"He's right Harry," Dumbledore nodded. "You have done well so far. I could not have asked you to do anything else. Do not worry about what might happen, you deserve to live life carefree."

"But Pettigrew is going to Voldemort," Harry said.

"But he'll owe a debt to you," Draco said. "I'm sure the Dark Lord does not want a servant who owes a debt to his enemy." He smiled softly and kissed Harry's head. "So don't worry about it, alright?"

"I guess…" Harry said, looking up at Draco. Dumbledore left the office, leaving the two alone.

"I don't know about you Harry," Draco said. "But I don't want to return to our friends right now."

"I know… when was the last time we've been alone together?" Harry asked.

Draco smirked. "I think when you showed me that little show of yours," he chuckled. "Come on! Let's go somewhere more comfortable."

"The dormitories should be empty," Harry offered. Draco smirked and pulled Harry up. "Come on Potter," he said. "Let's find a bed."

They quickly made their way towards the Slytherin common room. Harry smiled in a secret way as Draco said the password, loud enough for Harry could clearly hear it, and they stepped into the common room. It was empty, but they didn't care. Giggling like lovebirds, the two started kissing randomly, Harry's hands always somewhere on Draco's body. Draco held onto Harry's tie tightly and pulled him up, making the little lion follow him up the stairs. "Harry—harry," Draco breathed. "I think you would look great in a green and silver tie." He chuckled as Harry kissed him again.

Harry just made a grunting noise as they continued up the stairs. When they've made it to the third-year dormitory, Draco pushed Harry onto his bed and smirked. Harry moved to touch Draco again, but he shook his head. 'No Harry, remember your show? I want to see it again."

Harry blushed, but nodded. He started to strip, slowly revealing his pale, smooth skin inch by inch. Draco just smirked and sat back on Blaise's bed. Before he knew it, Harry was completely naked on his bed, sprawled on his back as he started to touch himself. His hands slid up and down his body, his nipples hard as he pulled them. "Stop." Draco commanded.

Harry obeyed and looked at Draco confused. Draco stood up, and sat down next to Harry. He shrugged off his robe and laid it on the bed, pushing Harry's clothes off and onto the ground. He loosened his tie and put it on Harry, fixing it so that the Slytherin tie lied perfectly center on Harry's chest, the green and silver contrasting his pale skin brilliantly. Harry looked at Draco a bit confused.

"I want you to wear this," Draco said. "Not only here, but for the rest of the year, okay? I want to show all those girls and guys that Harry Potter is my boyfriend."

"Doesn't you kissing me in the Great Hall already prove that?" Harry chuckled.

Draco laughed as well but shook his head. "This will make it permanent. Like a ring, yeah?"

Harry looked down at the tie, marveling at how well it fitted him. "Like a ring," he repeated again.

Draco smiled and kissed Harry again, pushing his cub onto the bed as he draped himself over him. Harry moaned, his hands reaching for Draco's back as he pulled the Slytherin onto him, loving the feeling of Draco's clothed body on his skin. Draco's hands moved down towards Harry's hard cock and gave a tug. Harry's voice hitched as he thrust towards Draco's hand.

Draco smirked and pulled back, leaving kisses randomly on Harry's body before sliding up his bed, taking off his shirt, revealing his pale marble skin. "Well Harry," he said. "Come on, continue the show," he said as he took off his pants and shoes, leaving him as naked as his boyfriend.

Harry nodded and blushed as he positioned himself. He stretched out his legs before swinging them into the air, giving Draco perfect view and access to his tight, pink, virgin hole. Draco licked his lips as he watched Harry slowly prepare himself. One arm holding both legs in the air, Harry brought his other hand towards his lips and slowly, meticulously, erotically licked every single digit, pushing one finger into his lips and giving a soft sound as he did so. Harry made sure that Draco could see his tie during every move he made. When his fingers were wet enough, Harry moved his hand away from his lips, his fingers slicken with his spit, and gave his nipples one last squeeze, loving the feeling.

"Someone has a tit fetish," Draco chuckled. "How does that sound Harry? Me playing with your tits every day, making them grow as big as they can."

Harry moaned and nodded, moving his fingers to his hole. He inserted his finger and gave a groan as it penetrated his tight ring of muscles. He felt his warm, velvety hole around his finger and started to move it. Draco's cock was fully hard and Harry watched as Draco started to stroke it. Both boys moaned as Harry added another finger, both of them moving inside of him, loosening himself for Draco.

Draco moved to his knee and took Harry's legs in his hands. He slung them over his shoulders, and Harry's hands relaxed at his side, leaving his ass hungry and available. They both smiled at each other, and Draco fixed Harry's tie as he got into position. "Ready cub?" he asked.

Harry nodded and pushed his butt towards Draco. Draco gripped his cock and positioned it right in front of Harry's hole. He teased Harry, pushing the head of his cock at Harry's hole, feeling the hotness on the head of his cock before pulling away. Harry mewled and pushed towards Draco, wanting him inside him. "Wait for it," Draco chuckled.

Harry made a noise of complaint. Draco positioned his cock again, the head resting on Harry's hole. "Count of three, I'm going to push in," Draco said, nervous.

Harry nodded, feeling the same apprehension as his boyfriend. "One," he breathed.

"Two," Draco said.

"Three—"

Draco pushed in, not knowing if to stop or not. Harry screamed in incredible pain. Draco panicked. "Harry! Harry are you okay?" he said.

Harry moaned in pain, but nodded. "Y-Yeah," he said. "Let me just get used to it. You're… you're big."

Draco chuckled and smirked, "Of course I am Harry," he said. They waited, staying in that same position, chests heaving as Draco tired his best to not move, not wanting to hurt his boyfriend anymore.

"I'm ready," Harry said after awhile. Draco started to move again, slowly moving out of Harry, groaning in ecstasy of the tight, heated feeling of being inside him. When it was just the cock of his head in, Draco moved again, sliding into his cub until his balls touched Harry's ass. Harry groaned, his ass still adjusting to the strange sensation. It was rough, hurts, but Harry wanted more, needed more. After a few clumsy, rough trusts Draco and Harry got into a slow rhythm. Their pants synchronized as they pushed towards each other, Draco's cock going further and further into Harry's ass.

Harry's body sheen with sweat, his sun-kissed pale skin glistening under Draco, the Slytherin tie keeping in perfect place between his breast. Harry could help but idle the idea of him being in Slytherin, him working out. He smirked at himself.

"What are you thinking of?" Draco panted between thrusts. Harry shook his head and closed his eyes. "Nothing," he smiled wryly. Yeah, he's going to have to talk to his dad about that.

Draco growled at the look Harry was giving him and thrust roughly. He hit something that made Harry see stars, his cock bouncing at attention, cum jumping out of it as he screamed in joy.

"Harry?"

"Again… hit that spot again," Harry breathed.

Draco nodded and gave another thrust. He hit the same spot and Harry screamed in joy again, more pre-cum coming out of his cock. "Yes! More Draco!"

Getting the idea, Draco gave a cocky smirk as he moved, hitting the same spot with his cock over and over again, his pace slowly quickening. Their gasps and yelps filled the room as Draco took up a fast, savage pace, his hips thrusting against the small perfect ass of his boyfriend. He fell on top of Harry, his legs moving from Draco's shoulder to around his waist. Draco was right on top of Harry, their eyes connecting as he continued pushing into him. His sweat dripped onto Harry's face, his glasses, their breaths came out in pants as Draco quickened. "I'm close," he breathed.

He managed to hold himself with one arm, the other quickly going to Harry's cock and started jerking it. He wanted them to come at the same time. Harry's breaths quickly turned into words, chanting Draco's name over and over again, his eyes closed. "Open them!" Draco growled. "I want to see your eyes Harry!"

Harry's eyes immediately open and he felt the most strangest thing. It was as if a flood came out of him as he screamed. Pleasure, ecstasy, and everything imaginable overwhelmed him as ropes after ropes of cum jetted from his cock, hitting both his and Draco's chests. His cum splattered over his face as he screamed Draco's name. After a couple of more thrusts, Draco was yelling Harry's name as well, filling Harry's virgin ass with his seed. He kept on thrusting, his cum overflowing and dripping out of Harry's ass and onto Draco's Slytherin robes.

They were breathing deeply, but soon both were smiling and laughing at each other as they lazily kissed. "That was…" Harry said, not knowing how to describe the experience.

"I know," Draco breathed, smiling at Harry. He looked down at the mess Harry made and said, "Wait here… I'll get a towel."

Harry nodded and watched as Draco slipped off of him. He looked down and smiled at his cum-covered self. It felt good, really good. The hot cum that dripped from his ass felt exhilarating, yet a bit gross at the same time. He checked the tie and sighed in relief when he saw it was somehow clean. Draco returned with a wet towel and took his time cleaning Harry, giving lazy kisses as he went, making sure that his ass is completely clean. When he was done, Draco simply dropped the towel off the side of the bed and pulled Harry to him.

He yawned and smiled at his boyfriend. "That was fun," Draco smiled.

Harry nodded in agreement and looked down at the tie. "I'm starting to like this," he said. Draco nodded and said, "It fits you Harry. It matches your eyes."

"It also matches yours," Harry said, bringing the tie up to Draco's face. "See?" he chuckled. He tickled Draco's nose with the tie and Draco laughed, "Stop that Harry," he said playfully knocking the tie away. He sat up a bit against his pillowed and pulled Harry onto his chest. Harry yawned and allowed Draco to fix the tie on him. "You promise you're going to keep this on?" Draco asked.

Harry nodded, "Yeah, I promise," he yawned. "I'm tired… going to sleep."

"Me too… night Harry," Draco said. They kissed; Draco gently took Harry's glasses off, put it on his nightstand, and they both fell asleep on top of Draco's bed, not even bothering to go under the covers.

Draco woke up the next day to annoying noise. He groaned more in irritation as he opened his eyes. There, around his bed, was the third year Slytherins. Blaise had a knowing smirk on his face as the others just glared at him. "The hell you are staring at?" Draco asked.

Theodore Nott looked the most disgusted. "What the hell is Potter doing in your bed Malfoy? In our dorm?"

"Sleeping," Draco answered. "And you better hope that he stays sleeping or else I will be very angry at all of you."

"Potter's a Gryffindor!" Theo argued. "He shouldn't be here! Shouldn't be in your damn bed!"

"And let's not forget naked," Blaise said mirthfully.

Draco sent a glare at Blaise, "You have a problem with that?"

"Me no," Blaise said. "The others though… looks like Crabbe and Goyle are just about ready to tear Harry out of your grasp.

Draco's attention turned to the two trolls he's forced to call fellow Slytherins and said, "If you two touch a single hair on Harry, I will have both of your families more ruined then they are."

Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other, "Malfoy," One of them said, Draco didn't care who, "this is gross." The other one nodded, both of them having looks of disgust. Draco gave them a sharp look. "He's a poof! Goyle said, "You're sleeping with a Gryffindor Poof!"

Draco had his wand out and pointing straight at Goyle before anyone could react. "Say that again," he growled, his eyes shifting to Harry for only a second. He was still somehow asleep.

Goyle's eyes moved towards the wand, looking fearfully at it as he and his fellow troll tried to take a step back.

"Alright, I'll say it," Theo said, glaring at Draco and the sleeping Harry. "We don't want you to associate yourself with Potter. Not only is he a dirty half-blood, but he's a filthy fa—"

"Langlock!" Draco said, his wand snapping to Theo. Theo's mouth shut, his tongue snapping to the top of his mouth. Theo tried to talk, but couldn't make any comprehensive noises. Draco smirked at himself, silently thanking Professor Snape for teaching him that spell. He gazed at Crabbe and Goyle and asked, "Is there anyone else who objects to Harry being here?" he asked simply.

The two trolls shook their heads. "N-No Malfoy," Crabbe stuttered. "We don't but—"

"Nott told the whole common room," Goyle said. "They're not happy."

"I see," Draco said coldly. He looked at Nott with cold eyes then towards Crabbe and Goyle. "Bring him to the hospital wing… ten minutes before we have to leave." He looked at Nott and smirked, "If you run fast enough, you might catch the Hogwarts Express home. Though, who knows how hungry you'll be."

Draco and Blaise watched as Crabbe and Goyle escorted Theodore Nott out of the room. Blaise looked at Draco and said, "You know we don't leave for a few days right?" he said.

Draco smirked and nodded. "I know," he said. "I just won't let that idiot call my boyfriend that."

"Where did you even learn that spell?" Blaise asked.

"Professor Snape," Draco said. "I've convinced him to teach me a couple of spells."

"You uh do know the counter-jinx right?" Blaise asked.

Draco looked at Blaise confused, "Counter-jinx? No I don't think I know that."

Blaise laughed. Tears started to roll from his eyes as he laughed. "Draco Malfoy, you are something!" he said.

Draco looked down at Harry and scoffed when he saw Harry was still sleeping. "I must have tired him out last night," he said.

"That or he's just a very heavy sleeper," Blaise said. Draco looked at him and nodded.

"I'm surprise you're not asking us to cover up Zabini," Draco mused.

"I'm Italian Malfoy!" Blaise declared. "The nude body is not foreign to me. Though, if you could cover your and Harry's parts. I don't want to know how big my friends are."

"Right," Draco said. He reached for the sheet and covered his and Harry's private parts. He turned his attention to Blaise and said, "I have my Gryffindor, where's yours?"

"I have no idea what you mean," Blaise said, smirking.

"Don't play dumb," Draco said. "I know the way you looked at Harry's friend Weasley."

Blaise, for the first time in Draco's life, blushed. "I uhh I'm working on it," he said.

"Working on it?" Draco chuckled. "Where is the confident Zabini I've known for so long?"

"I—I'm confident!" Blaise said a bit too loudly. "It's just that, well… I know Ron likes guys, I just don't know if… you know… he realizes it. And if I try to move in too soon—I don't know what will happen."

Draco nodded and looked down at Harry. "I'm sure he'll come around."

"Right. So, I'm going to go and try to defuse the situation downstairs," Blaise said, giving Draco and Harry the privacy Draco wanted.

Alone, Draco looked down at Harry. "God Potter, just how heavily you sleep?" he complained half-heartedly. As if to jest him, Harry started to move, grumbling. Draco gave a small laugh as Harry wiped his eyes, looking at Draco. "What you laughing at?" he asked.

"You," Draco smirked. "And how cute you are sleeping."

"Sod off," Harry yawned as Draco kissed his cheek.

"Such dirty language Potter, do I need to clean that mouth of yours?" Draco smirked.

"Yeah, got toothpaste?" Harry asked as he sat up, looking down confused to see he was still wearing Draco's tie. Memories of last night returned to his mind, and Draco smiled when he saw Harry blush. "Come on," he said. "I'm sure I do."

Draco threw the sheet covering their nude bodies off and got out of bed. He helped Harry off and led him towards the bathroom. Harry hung the tie on Draco's bed as he showered, and soon they were both dressed, Harry wearing his Gryffindor robes, but Draco's Slytherin tie.

They held hands and walked down out of the dormitory and into the common room. As soon as they stepped into it, the activity in the room stopped. All eyes fell on Harry, indifferent, irritated, and hateful gazes fell upon Harry as Draco walked him deeper into the common room.

Draco looked at each and every Slytherin as they passed, his cold eyes meeting each and every one as they made their way. "Why are you all glaring?" he asked. "Harry has been here once before. He is my boyfriend, he is allowed to be in here if I deem it."

The Slytherins glanced at each other but did not complain. They just kept their annoyed glares at Harry as he and Draco walked towards the common room exit. Draco stopped him in front of the door and smiled at Harry. "Don't worry about these idiots," he said confidently. "They don't matter."

"I know Draco, only your opinion matters to me," Harry said.

Draco looked at Harry and decided to kiss him in front of everyone again. Harry gladly and eagerly kissed him back, any barriers he had shattered after last night. The Slytherins around them gave awkward, or disgusted noises but Harry didn't care. He was kissing Draco, that's all that mattered to him. He felt Draco's hands on his tie and he whispered against his cheek, "Remember our promise Harry."

Harry nodded and said, "I promise."

For the rest of the school year, the very short week that passed too quickly for Harry, Harry wore Draco's tie with pride. The teachers were surprised, rising a curious eyebrow but saying nothing. The Slytherins kept glaring at Harry, as if him wearing the tie was a personal insult against all of their egos. Harry didn't care. The Gryffindors, however, were curious at first. At the end of the first day, when they were all in the common room Ron asked Harry why he was wearing a Slytherin tie. Harry noticed that he held everyone's attention, and decided to just drop the ball now instead of letting the rumors ruin his final days.

"Because, my boyfriend Draco," Harry said loudly enough so everyone could hear, "Gave me this tie and asked me to wear it for the final week. It's like a promise."

Everyone accepted his answer, and went on their lives normally. Harry was glad that everyone accepted his answer and went on his business. He looked around the common room, and blushed a vivid scarlet when he saw Charlie Weasley snogging Oliver Wood. He hoped that he and Draco wouldn't reach that point of their relationship soon.

Harry was glad he wasn't the only one who was sorry to see Professor Lupin-Black go. The whole of Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts class was miserable about his resignation.

"Wonder what they'll give us next year?" Seamus Finnigan said gloomily.

"Maybe a vampire," Dean Thomas suggested hopefully.

"Nah, werewolves are cooler," Seamus said.

The exam results came out on the last day of term. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had passed every subject, harry was amazed that he had got through Potions.

Percy had got his top-grade N.E.W.T.s; Fred and George had scrapped a handful of O.W.L.s each, an accomplish that rewarded George with some personal time with Oliver. Gryffindor House, meanwhile, largely thanks to their spectacular performance in the Quidditch Cup, had won the House championship for the third year running. Draco and Blaise joined in the celebration, clapping along with the rest of the school as the Slytherins stayed quiet. Draco looked and saw Theo still suffering from his jinx. Feeling pity, he subtly performed the counter-jinx that he magically remembered and watched as Theo opened his mouth for the first time in days. The Slytherin looked down at Draco and his eyes looked down apologetically. Draco just nodded and told Theo to eat, which he did with a certain ravish.

As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station the next morning, Hermione gave Harry and Ron some surprising news.

"I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning, just before breakfast. I've decided to drop Muggle Studies."

"But you passed your exam with three hundred and twenty percent!" Ron said.

"Why did you even take a class like that Granger?" Draco asked from his place at Harry's side. Hermione ignored him and said, "I know, but I can't stand another year like this one. That Time-Turner, it was driving me mad. I've handed it in. Without Muggle Studies and Divination, I'll be able to have a normal schedule again."

"I still can't believe you didn't tell us about it," Ron said grumpily. "We're supposed to be your friends."

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone," Hermione said severely. She looked around at Harry, who was relaxing against Draco, watching Hogwarts disappear from view behind a mountain.

"Harry!" Ron said, "You're staying with us right?"

"Huh," Harry said looking at Ron. "Oh, yeah… next month. Dad's off to Albania for work."

"Why's that?" Ron asked.

"I don't know, Kingsley's told my dad something's important there. Dad just hopes he'll be back for the Quidditch Cup," Harry said.

"Well, Dad'll always get tickets I'm sure he can get one for your dad," Ron smiled.

Draco smirked and whispered at Harry, "Knowing Weasley, they'll somehow manage to win box tickets."

"Draco, stop," Harry laughed. "That's not nice."

"What he said?"

"Nothing Ron, don't worry," Harry said. Both him and Draco laughed as Ron crossed his arms, throwing a friendly glare at Draco and Harry.

The compartment door opened and Blaise joined them. He complained to Draco for leaving him with Crabbe and Goyle (calling them trolls) and relaxed next to Ron, who didn't seem to notice or complain about their closeness.

The train ride went smoothly for Harry, who was content with staying on Draco during the entire ride. As the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station at platform nine and three quarters, Ron, Hermione, and Blaise stood to get their luggage off of the overhead. Harry and Draco stayed back as the train stopped fully and the three exited, promising to wait on the station. Draco stood up and smiled down at Harry. "What's the matter Harry?" he asked.

"I just don't want to leave," Harry said. "Call me childish… but I don't know how I'll deal with not seeing you for months."

Draco chuckled. "Harry, since when were you this clingy? Of course you're going to see me during the summer. Your dad did invite me over, didn't he? And we will definitely see each other during the World Cup."

That relieved Harry a little. "Yeah… I'm just being stupid."

"No, not stupid," Draco said. "Look at me Harry, never call yourself stupid, okay?" He gave a cocky smirk and said, "You're dating the great Draco Malfoy. I won't date anyone who calls or believes themselves to be stupid. Now come on, let's get off."

"Okay, but one thing first."

"What—?" Harry kissed Draco before he could finish his question. Harry smirked as he stepped back and quickly got his luggage. "Come on Draco! Before Dad climbs onto the train to find us."

He laughed to himself as he left the compartment.

"You cheeky lion," Draco said following Harry. He couldn't help but smile to himself. Draco got off the train and joined Harry and his friends. It was weird at first, admitting to himself that he liked Harry, but he was happy that he did. Even though they've been together for only a few months, Draco couldn't envision his life without Harry. He truly was a light that shone on Draco's life, and Draco was very happy for it. Who knows, maybe one day Draco might actually learn to love Harry, if he doesn't already.

THE END