The Taste of You

Part 1

When Harry had seen Draco Malfoy at the beginning of their new year, it was like a revelation.
Draco (when had it become Draco??) looked so fragile, so lost, so withdrawn - like he wanted to disappear into the walls of Hogwarts - that Harry's heart clenched. So sad all the time...
No wonder, after what happened, but Harry admired him nonetheless for having had the guts to come back here.
And he was so gorgeous; with his blond hair, his pale and thin face, his grey eyes, his lips deliciously hemmed, his body so graceful, Harry couldn't help but look at him all the time.
He had finally come to terms with his sexuality after the whole Ginny debacle. He fancied men.
One man in particular.

Harry was staying at the Three Broomsticks; he had asked for permission from McGonagall to live outside the castle grounds. She granted that to him, happy that he had agreed to come back.
He had changed during the summer. All his adventures (which he would have done without) had hardened him mentally and physically. He had tried to forget certains things by throwing himself into physical exercise. He knew he was attracting both men's and women's stares.
But his only preoccupation was Draco... a bit like in sixth year, but without the scary guy.
Now he could observe Draco at his leisure in the library, the courtyard, or at the lake, where he was, most of the time, alone. His friends had disappeared in the turmoil of the war, preferring friendlier climates.
Harry himself was rather alone, Ron and Hermione having left him to take care of themselves, which did not really bother him.
He had plenty of time to watch Draco.

Surprisingly, Draco hadn't seemed to mind these stares upon him. He never looked upset or angry but rather...confused, or even interested?
Harry would have loved to reassure him, to take care of him in fact.

The months went by and they seemed to get closer.
Harry was trying his best in Potions, which was easy since Slughorn had a weakness for him, but Draco was, despite all things, the best student in the subject.
Harry had tried to ask for his help once or twice and Draco had answered him without disdain. But Harry never had the guts to ask for more.

One day, while he was following Draco in the corridors - casually, he promised himself - he saw him being accosted by a group of seventh-years.
When voices started to rise, he moved closer.

'I can't believe McGonagall let you come back here!'

'You should be in Azkaban!'

Draco was standing there, unconcerned about the students who were blocking his path.

'Colpus ventrum!'

Suddenly Draco bent in pain and fell to his knees. Fuck!
Wandlessly, Harry hissed, 'Expelliarmus!'
The wand of the attacker went flying.

Harry ran to the scene.

'What did you do to him, assholes?'

The group looked at him frightened and surprised.
'Harry... it was just...'
'Don't call me Harry, fuckers! Get out! You're gonna hear about this soon!'
The spell caster uttered a sound. 'Can I get my wand back...?'
'No, you can't! Get out!'
The group fled.

Harry fell to his knees next to Draco and put his arm around his shoulders.
'Draco? Are you all right?'
'Yeah...' He was holding his stomach, still bending.
'Can you stand up?'
'I... think so.'

'Let me help you.' Harry lifted him up and, taking him by the waist, helped him to sit in an alcove nearby. 'What was that spell he used? I didn't hear...'
'Colpus ventrum... It's just a simple spell.'
'Never heard of it.'
'You're used to more complicated spells...'
Harry looked at him. Draco was smiling. Smiling!

Blond head pressed against the wall behind him, Draco was looking back at him softly.
Harry's heart jumped in his chest. He couldn't help but smile back.
'Let's go see Poppy though, if...'
'It's just a kick in the guts, Harry.'
Hearing his name in that beautiful mouth sent a shiver down his spine.
He swallowed, staring at the man before him.
I want to kiss you so much. Can I do it? Will you let me?
Without noticing, he had placed his hand on Draco's thigh during their brief exchange, and he didn't want to take it off.
He took a deep breath and slid closer.