Author's Note: This was written on request for a page I admin. If you'd like a one-shot, then don't hesitate to request one. I'll write for Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Divergent, The Mortal Instruments/The Infernal Devices, and the Avengers. There are a few others, but I prefer these.
Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the places and characters associated with it. All credit goes to J.K. Rowling.

He found him crying.

He was just so vulnerable. So innocent. He never thought he would think Draco Malfoy, the ferret, innocent of all things. A bully, maybe. A prat, a git, sure. But innocent? Never.

He had just been meandering around the castle under his invisibility cloak. It was after curfew, but that Slytherin Prince never got in trouble. It didn't surprise Harry that he was out late.

What did surprise him, though, was that he found himself walking towards Draco; almost as if he was going to comfort him.

Draco looked up in fright and shock. "Who's there?" he called. He sounded frightened and embarrassed.

"It's me, Malfoy. What are you doing out here, after hours?" Harry called.

"I could ask you the same question, Potter. What do you want?"

"I want to know what you're so upset about."

To Harry's surprise, Draco looked him in his eyes and confessed. "I'm scared. No, I'm terrified. I can't sleep. Nightmares are at every turn, even when I'm awake. I can't take it anymore. I'm going insane. And I have no one to turn to." He wiped away a tear. "Help me, please."

Harry walked toward him and sat beside him. He gingerly put his arm around the crying boy, hoping the gesture wasn't too rash. Draco slowly leaned in, accepting the embrace.

"It's okay, Draco. I'm here now. And I'll fight the nightmares. I'll keep you safe."

"Thank you, Harry. And there's one more thing I want to tell you."

"And what could that be?"

Draco smiled and looked Harry in the eye. "I love you." And then he kissed him.

And that was the start of something permanent.