Breath-Drarry COMPLETE

Chapter 53

—Harry POV—

Looking at the clouds on a stormy day was always comforting to me. While Ron might complain that it's boring, or while Aunt Petunia would stomp her feet and mutter under her breath. Even when I was sent to work in her garden and get sick as a result, I couldn't help but crack a smile, because the sound of the rain puttering down onto the house meant I would be able to sleep at night. Just the idea that I would be at peace would calm me down to the point where I could call it happiness, despite everything.

I supposed that looking into Draco's eyes evoked a similar feeling. I'd get lost tracing the patterns in his irises, plunging myself into a world of my own making, one that only Draco provided me with, one where everything was calm and peaceful, where everything would be okay.

And maybe the fact that I love him is a contributing factor, because it means that now, as he passes his fingers softly across my cheek, looking straight at me, humming slightly as he moved to trace my hairline, to feel my skin and take in every detail, I was only capable of dissolving into putty.

It's not like I was doing any better, though, with my fingers tracing circles up and down his side, resting under his shirt, relishing in the goosebumps that would erupt beneath my soft ministrations. Occasionally I would stop the playful caresses to just, hold him, to feel him there.

We had been continuing like this for the better part of the last 2 hours, and it had me torn between continuing my journey through his eyes, and saying 'to hell with it' and just cuddling up to him as close as I can, holding him with me.

"I love you." He's taken to saying it as often as possible since the hospital three days ago, when cooking, in bed, in the shower, watching television... It was rather lovely. I didn't remember ever being given so much attention explicitly and plainly meant for me as a person, to praise me. Every time he said it, it only made my heart grow despite the years we'd gone without it. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I'd figured everything out. I felt like this was what we were missing between us, and now that we had it, I never wanted to let go.

"I love you too."

He shifted closer to me, hand sliding into my hair, leaning in for a kiss which I gladly reciprocated. It was very sweet, but also quite short. I nestled myself into his hold, resting my head on his chest.

"Can you... tell me again? The names, I mean, of... of everyone?"

I heard a sigh come from above me. Draco's hand glided across my shoulders, hugging me.

"I... are you sure now is... I mean, we just got back from the funeral..."

"Remind me," I whispered. His hand stopped caressing my back, returning to my hair and carding through it gently.

"Professor McGonagall..."

We both knew I didn't need reminding of who died. It was rather, I needed a reminder of the sacrifices that were made, I needed to remind myself that it wasn't my fault. It's not my fault.

"Shaklebolt, Aberforth, Rolf Scammander..."

I closed my eyes, trying to connect their deaths in my mind to the idea of sacrifice, of nobility, of bravery. Breathe.

"Hannah Abbott, Fleur, Angelina and Charlie..."

I told myself that it was okay, that it would be okay. They didn't suffer this fate because of me.

"Professor Slughorn, Deadalus Diggle, Elphias Dodge, Hestia Jones..."

Beneath me, I could hear his throat clamming up before he swallowed. "Goyle, Pansy.."