𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 27

Harry stayed with Ron and Hermione until supper time, trying to give his boyfriend some time to himself. When Draco hadn't shown up in the Great Hall he began to get worried, and grabbing some food for them both, headed to the blonde's rooms telling his two friends he'd meet with them later.

Draco lay on his back on the sofa, one arm bent, covering his eyes. He had no idea how much time had passed. His thoughts were in turmoil and he felt as if he were floating up and down, spinning and colliding within his mind. He was frightened by the prospect of betraying his father in front of everyone and angry with himself for even thinking of it as a betrayal. He hated his father for what he had done to him, for the pain he had put him through year after year, for all the lies he had told him. But he loved him as well and he couldn't come to grips with his warring emotions.

Not knowing how to think, Draco sat up and screamed aloud into his silent apartment, his hands fisting his hair. He just felt cold and that there was no light for his path. One part of him wanted everyone to know what his life had been like; another part wanted to hide it deep inside, hide it even from himself, and just pretend everything was fine as he had always done.

Harry burst though the door when he heard his boyfriend scream, his heart pounding in his chest. He rushed over to the blonde and set the tray of food on the coffee table, sitting beside the Slytherin who was now hiding his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.

"I don't think I can do this," Draco said in a low, shaky voice before Harry could even ask if he was alright. "I know he's a bastard and he deserves to go to prison, but he's still my father. I don't want to be the one to put him there."

Harry had no idea what to say so he said nothing and just put his arms around his hurting boyfriend, rubbing his back in soothing circles, trying to offer any comfort.

Draco grasped Harry tightly, both hands clutching the front of his robes as he put his forehead to the Gryffindors chest. "I want to stop this, but I don't know how. Right now it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean and the waves are taking me down. I'm treading for my life, but it seems no matter what I do, I won't be able to keep up this breathing. I just don't know what to do, nothing I can think of feels like the right thing to do."

Draco cried out his misery, wetting the front of Harry's robes right though to his shirt and the dark-haired boy let him. Harry hated how upset this was making his boyfriend, he hated the Ministry for making Draco do this, he hated Lucius for screwing up Draco's life, but most of all, he hated himself for not being able to fix it and make things better for the blonde.

Tears began to leak from Harry's eyes at this feeling of uselessness that was enveloping him and he hugged Draco closer, kissing his head and temples. "I'm sorry, Draco. I'm so sorry," Harry murmured soothingly over and over again between kisses.

Draco's sobbing quieted to small hic-cups and then he raised his head so his lips could connect with Harry's, still clinging to his robes, needing the other boy like a life preserver, more than he had needed anyone in his life.

Their kiss, at first, was full of desperation. Draco's desperation to forget his father's cruelty and Harry's desperation to console the blonde, but it soon changed, becoming more gentle and loving as both boys emotions calmed and they began to enjoy the feel and comfort of each others lips.

The two pulled apart slowly to take in air and Draco gazed longingly into Harry's eyes. The blonde teen realized that he wanted the Gryffindor, that he wanted to share everything with this dark haired boy, to show him that he loved him.

Draco blinked a bit in surprise at his own feelings. They had just snuck up on him at this very moment. He knew he had liked Harry, but love? He continued to stare into green eyes for a bit longer, pondering this sudden swelling emotion and found it was true. At least, he thought it was. He'd never been in love before so he had no real experience with it to compare.