Love Lasts

Chapter 32

Harry opened his eyes again and saw Draco's grey eyes watching him with worry. "What the hell was that? What's going on?"

Harry grinned up at Draco and, to both their surprise, wrapped him in a tight hug.

"P-Potter! What is wrong with you?" Harry pulled away and grinned again, his emerald eyes sparkling.

"I remember! I remember everything! It's amazing!" Draco's eyebrows creased in confusion but then his expression cleared. He was glad Harry remembered, but did that mean he would stop spending time with Draco?

"I have to go find Ron and Hermione!" Harry jumped up but staggered back for a moment. Draco put a hand on his arm to steady him and arched an eyebrow.

"You sure you're alright?" Harry grinned and nodded. "Never better!"

Harry sprinted into the Great Hall, spotted a sad looking Ron and Hermione, then ran over to them and bawled them over in a hug.

"Bloody Slytherins! What the hell-" Ron shouted until he saw Harry. "Harry mate? What's going on?" Harry grinned at them both.

"I remember! I remember you both and the Weasleys and even your parents Hermione!" Hermione looked close to tears and Ron pulled Harry down on the bench beside him and wrapped him in a proper hug.

"Harry! I've missed you!" Harry patted Ron on the back and he pulled away. Ginny wrapped Harry in a tight hug from behind. "I've missed you Harry!"

Harry smiled and patted the hands that were around his stomach. Fred and George came over and tackled Harry in a hug that sent him to the floor.

"Harry!" Fred exclaimed. "You're back!" George cheered.

"As much as we loved getting to meet you again-" "We missed the old Harry!" Harry grinned as they let him go and sat back down on the bench.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. "Er...Hermione? You alright?" Ron asked.

Hermione nodded and said in a choked voice, "I just missed Harry. He's one of my best friends and the fact that he didn't know who I was was killing me." Harry's smile slid off of his face and he embraced Hermione tightly.

"No matter what happened before Hermione, I'm back now." She smiled and pulled away. Her eyes were red and slightly puffy, but Harry could see the joy in them. "I'm glad!"

She scooted back over to Ron and Harry had just smiled again when two figures tackled him to the floor once more. "Harry!"

Harry looked up and saw the faces of Dean and Seamus grinning above him.

"You remember!" Harry smiled and nodded. "Sorry, I guess someone else will have to help you with your Charms work Dean." Dean grinned and offered him a hand up.

"Who says you can't still be smart?" Harry cocked an eyebrow.

"You saying I'm not smart?" Dean rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"N-No I mean...you just...you..." Harry chuckled and slapped his friend on the back. "Don't worry. I know what you mean. I'll try and keep my studies up, but I don't think I'll be doing it as much anymore. I have people to occupy my time now."

Harry looked across to the Ravenclaw table and saw Avery smiling at him. He winked and she returned it then turned back to her table.

Seamus pushed Harry back down to the bench and crawled under the table to sit across from him.

"You've got so much to catch up on Harry! A lot's happened since you lost your memory." Harry grinned then turned to Ron and Hermione. "What did I miss?"

The two of them exchanged a glance then burst out talking. Harry listened and buttered some toast absentmindedly.

"Well Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil..." "Ron made an Excellent on a test..." "Hermione thinks she knows where she wants to work..." They talked and talked about any and everything that had happened for hours.

The Weasleys crowded around Harry along with Dean, Seamus, and Hermione. They all took turns talking and telling Harry about everything that had happened since he lost his memory.

Harry enjoyed them talking to him. They hadn't talked to him this much since before his memory was gone and, of course, then he hadn't realized how much he missed them.

After several hours, Dean and Seamus left for the Common Room along with Fred and George for a game of exploding snap.

Ginny gave Harry another hug and followed behind them. Harry got a sudden idea, more like a wanting, and stood up.

"I'll be back in a bit. I've got to clear something up." Harry didn't understand what was making his feet move or what had made up his mind, he just knew that he was moving away from the Great Hall and up the stairs at a run.

He ran up to the fifth floor then went down several corridors before sliding to a stop.

What am I doing? Am I going mad? No. I'm not. I just want to do something and I'm going to do it. Who said feelings have to develop? Why not just grab the bull by the tail or however that expression goes and go for it?

Harry turned the corner and walked down a few more corridors before seeing what he was after.

Draco was walking down the corridor with his school bag swinging from his shoulder, looking out the windows absentmindedly.

Harry stepped forward, took a small breath, then strode forward and pushed Draco against the wall. "Potter? What the devil are you-"

Harry stopped Draco speaking by pressing his lips against Draco's. Draco froze out of surprise and Harry pulled away, reluctant to leave the softness of his lips.

"I just had to do that once. I don't know why, but I wanted to."

Harry made to turn away, but Draco grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer again. Draco tilted Harry's head up and met his lips hungrily. Harry grinned and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck.

Draco flipped them around and pinned Harry against the wall. Harry slid his tongue against Draco's bottom lip and slipped his tongue inside when he was granted entrance. Their tongues wound together and battled for dominance for several moments until Draco won. After several more moments, the two boys finally pulled apart for a breath.

"T-That...That was..." Draco stammered. Harry grinned and nodded. "Fantastic."

Harry rested his head against the wall, trying to catch his breath.

"I-I didn't know you-" "Liked you? Of course I do. I have for ages, I just don't think I figured it out until now." Harry didn't understand why the words were spilling from his mouth, but they were and he couldn't stop them.

He looked at Draco nervously but saw that Draco was smiling and felt relief settle in his chest.

"I've liked you too. I don't think I realized until this morning either but I do." Harry grinned and stepped closer to Draco, closing the gap between them.

"So...if I like you and you like me...does that mean you'll be my boyfriend?" Draco's eyes sparkled with delight and he nodded.

"I would be honored to be your boyfriend Harry Potter."

Harry grinned and pulled Draco down again for a kiss. Draco pressed Harry back against the stone and wrapped his arms around Harry's waist.

The two stayed entwined for several moments, until they had to come up for air once more. Harry heard the distant sounds of footsteps and knew that people were going to be coming around the corner soon.

"I will definitely see you later." Harry grinned and pressed a light kiss against Draco's lips before slipping away and hurrying from the corridor. Draco stood, frozen, with a goofy smile on his face.