An Epic Love Story

19. More than a Smile

Harry was feeling stronger.  Healthier than he had in a long time, and he knew it was because of his friends.  He was so grateful to all of them.  When just two weeks prior, he had believed himself unworthy of love and friendship, they had risen the the occasion with passion.  He smiled as he remembered the emotions he had felt.  There were so many.  Love, shame, regret, pride, adoration, and most of all pain.  Telling their stories had been painful for them, but now all they felt was a sense of freedom.  Like dropping a bag of immense weight, not needing to carry it anymore.

Dumbledore had been round earlier, and said that Madam Pomfrey had given him a clean bill of health, he was allowed to leave.  Having no anger showing since the first day, the staff were more than convinced that he was going to be all right.  And if the anger did indeed show itself again, then they would be ready for it, and perhaps even embrace it.  He asked Harry to please attend lunch, and after that, he would like to see him in his office.  Harry agreed.

He started packing up his belongings, to take back to his room.  He was excited and couldn't wait to see everyone again.  His thoughts drifted to Draco, and what he was going to say when he saw him.  He had asked his headmaster not to tell anyone that he was coming back, he would like it to be a surprise.  Dumbledore nodded in agreement.  Thanking Madam Pomfrey for her love and care while he was there, he left the hospital wing.

Everyone was at breakfast, so he knew that he could sneak in to the common room without being seen.  He opened his door, and unpacked what little clothes were in his bag.  After his shower he had dressed in a dark blue denim, with a green button down dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up just above his elbows.  Black shoes and belt finished the look.  He sat on his bed, waiting patiently for the noise of his friends to tell him they were back.

He didn't have to wait long.  When they were all seated, it was Pansy who spoke first.  "Has Dumbledore said anything about Harry?  When will he be coming back?", she asked.  There were mutterings of no he didn't, but they had to believe that he would tell them as soon as he could.  "I wish he would just hurry up and get here.  I miss him", sighed Luna. 

Harry opened his door softly, and leaning against the wall, folded his arms and said in a loud voice with a smile, "Not as much as I've missed you lot".  They squealed at the surprise.

There were shouts of joy as they saw him, but Luna rushed to him first, and hugged him with all her might.  He wrapped her in his arms, and just let the love flow.  They all took turns giving him hugs, telling him that it was good to see him.  Even Pansy gave him a hug, not completely uncomfortable, but it was not as easy as it could be.  They would need time for that.  And then, after hugging everyone, he looked up, into the silver eyes of Draco Malfoy.

Harry smiled at Draco, and it was when Draco smiled back at him, instead of the usual sneer, that Harry knew they had a lot to talk about, and everything was going to be all right.  He opened his arms, to tell Draco that he needed to feel the love.  Draco ran to him, and threw his arms around Harry's neck.  It was hugs like this that needed no words.  Hugs like this felt like coming home.  He placed one hand behind Draco's head, and just held him.  He felt Draco suddenly start to shake.

He knew that Draco was crying, and so he turned to the others and asked them to give them a minute.  They all left the common room, so that the two boys could have some privacy.  Harry kept holding onto Draco.  Draco wasn't letting go for anything.  Not even wild horses could have torn him away.  All the hate, all the anger, and all the love that he had been feeling for six years were put into that one hug, and the tears that he was shedding.  Not feeling embarrassed by any of it.

Harry too had started to cry.  Being held by Draco was quite the feeling of elation.  One that he didn't want to have stop.  Sobbing at their childish behavior, so much wasted time, and most of all, realizing that things could have been so very different between them.  "Harry", Draco sobbed into his neck.  "I'm so sorry.  For everything.  I so badly wanted to be your friend, and...and I fucked it up...Can you ever forgive me?", he asked. Harry just held him tighter, and answered, "There is nothing to forgive Draco.  We were both idiots.  I will accept your apology, if you will accept mine", he said with a sniff.

Draco stiffened at that.  What did Harry have to apologize for?  He had been the utter prat, not Harry.  He was raised to hate him.  All Harry had done was defend his friends and himself.  He slackened his arms, and looked into the green eyes of his new friend.  "There is nothing to forgive Harry", he said back.  Harry smiled at him, and pulled him back in for another hug.  It felt good to not feel hate, and not insult each other.  It felt extremely good.  Harry had wished for a handshake, but he was getting so much more. 

He wondered if he should tell Draco about his feelings for him.  But then he thought, that no, that was perhaps too soon.  They were both very emotional right now, and he didn't want Draco to think that he was playing with his feelings.  He would wait a while longer until they were both more stable.  Draco pulled out of the hug, not really wanting to, but knew that Harry's friends wanted to come back inside.  Harry placed both his hands on Draco's perfect face, and looked once again into his eyes.  This is where he could get lost in.

Draco hitched his breath, and looked back into green emeralds.  He had always loved Harry's eyes.  He had never seen that shade of green before, and he felt sure that Harry was going to kiss him.  Harry closed his eyes, and leaned in, not sure if what he was doing was going to make or break their newfound friendship, he just knew that he wanted a taste.  Just a small taste.  Draco leaned forward, closed his eyes too, and waited.  Harry's lips brushed against his, and when he opened his mouth with a whimper, Harry went in for the kill.

Pushing his tongue into the warm mouth of Draco Malfoy, he kissed him like he had never kissed anyone before.  And it felt like heaven.  Breathing heavily, his tongue fighting for dominance, dancing around in Draco's mouth, he never wanted to let go.  Groaning into the kiss, he knew that his friends were going to burst through the door any minute now, and so he chose to end the kiss before that happened.  Panting heavily, they pulled apart, and smiled at each other. 

Harry wasn't sure if Draco had feelings for him, but knew that they would address what had just happened later, when they were alone.  Right now, they had to let their friends know that they were ok, and please come back in.  It was time to celebrate.  They were still hugging when the door opened, and their friends came back in.  Not having moved, everyone was stunned that they were still in the same position.  Little did they know.