With Hope and Passion {Harry Potter}

Conflicting Plans

The sun was setting, and Harry and Draco were having dinner in one corner of the vast dining room. Harry had arrived at the manor at the crack of dawn, and the pair had spent the day catching up and enjoying each others company. While eating his bowl of vegetable soup, Draco decided to finally ask Harry the question he had been dreading since morning.

Draco took a deep breath. The pure yellow light from the approaching dusk struck Harry's face, coloring one side of him brightly, and leaving the other in shadow. Draco found himself distracted by the sight, and struggled to get the question out.

"S-so," he sputtered, once again skittish, "The letter...what do you..."

"I, well, I read it," said Harry, avoiding eye contact with Draco, "And, yes, I can forgive you."

"Really?" Draco asked, his eyes wide and hopeful.

Harry's voice had dropped to a whisper."Yes, and...and...I do have feelings for you," his cheeks turned red and he stared at his feet.

Draco's jaw dropped, and they sat next to each other in astonished silence, neither knowing what to do next.

Draco leaned towards Harry, shaking uncontrollably. He inched his face towards Harry's, and their lips nearly met, when Harry suddenly pushed him away.

"No! I can't," said Harry, his voice trembling, "What about Ginny?"

Draco looked at him, a hurt expression on his face. "What about her? There are plenty more men for her to snog."

"I love her, Draco. Don't ask me to do this," tears welled up in his eyes, and he shot up out of the chair.

Harry raced out of the dining room, slamming the door behind him. Draco knew it would be pointless to go after him now. He sighed resignedly and eased out of his chair, picking up the dishes. Draco left through the opposite side of the room, entering a cramped stone hallway. It was originally meant for house elves and other servants to use, and his head nearly brushed the ceiling.

He strode to the end and opened a small, rickety door, entering into the kitchen. It was one of his favorite rooms in the manor, as it wasn't lavishly decorated nor did it cost more than his soul was worth. He placed the dishes in the large aluminum sink and began to scrub them with a sponge. His thoughts drifted as he methodically washed.

Harry's reaction had been worse than simple rejection. He had given Draco hope, then snatched it away from him, leaving him in a state almost worse than before he ever wrote that letter. Why did Harry have to be so damn loyal? Draco knew he could never force Harry to leave Ginny for him. The only thing to do was win him over.

"With what, your charm and charisma?" He asked himself, almost laughing out loud.

Draco finished cleaning the bowls and plates, then washed and dried his hands. He walked out to the main hall and began searching for Harry. He checked his study. Not a single soul. He checked all five guest rooms. Nothing. He checked the cellar. Harry was nowhere to be found. Draco was wandering aimlessly now, and was just about to give up and start screaming through the halls, when he heard a quiet cry.

He spun in the direction the sound came from, and saw the door to a linen closet. He tiptoed to it, and carefully opened the door. Inside was Harry, curled up between the piles of towels and bedclothes. His head was buried in his hands, and he shook with silent sobs. Draco reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, but Harry grabbed it and pushed it away.

"Leave me alone," gasped Harry, his voice raw.

Draco said nothing in response. He sat down next to Harry and wrapped his arms around him. Harry made as if to protest, but gave up and rested his head on Draco's shoulder, still weeping and trembling.

The time they spent in that position stretched on, and Draco saw the light gradually fading from the sky through the windows. Harry eventually stopped crying and fell asleep leaning on Draco.

Draco fished his wand from his pocket and cast a charm on Harry to make him light enough to carry. He gently lifted Harry from the floor and brought him to one of the guest rooms, setting him down on the bed. He draped a blanket over his form and took off Harry's glasses, then set them on the stand next to the mattress.

He stooped over and kissed Harry's forehead, then stepped back and gazed at him. He always looked perfect, even after sobbing like that. Draco backed out of the room, careful not to make any noise, and walked up to his room to mull things over for a while.