Harry excused himself from the group early to make his way back to the common room. He had spent the majority of his Saturday with his friends down in Hogsmede, and wanted to sneak in a quick visit with Draco before they also returned
He smiled and nodded at the group of Hufflepuff girls relaxing by the fire as he made his way across to the bedrooms, thankful that the corridor was almost fully out of view from the main room
"Hey, It's me" Harry knocked on his door gently and Draco opened it with his wand. He was sitting at his desk surrounded by textbooks and parchment looking cosy in his baggy woollen jumper which he'd wrapped over his hands for warmth
"Hey Harry, how was your day?"
"It was good actually. We headed down to the shops, Honeydukes have some new flavours of fizzing candy, and Elvadore's shop had some nice suits in the window, It'll be fun when we all visit there soon. I spent most of the afternoon in the Three Broomsticks with Ron, Hermione and Neville, they're just making their way back now so I suppose I shouldn't stay too long"
"Sounds like you had a nice day, I'm glad"
"Well, you did put me in a very good mood this morning" Harry smirked, kicking off his shoes and planting himself comfortably on Draco's bed
"You're more than welcome" Draco smiled smugly, making his way over to Harry and kissing him on the forehead
Harry looked up at him, his kind eyes were fixed on Harry's hair, stroking his fingers through it while he gently caressed him
"Have you spoken to Pansy yet?" Harry asked looking up at him
"Ugh, no" Draco sighed, slumping down next to him and putting his face in his hands "I'm dreading it"
"You don't have to dread it, she's your best friend I'm sure she'll understand, Draco"
"She's also very stubborn... and I really pissed her off"
Harry reached across and cupped his hands around Draco's face, pulling him in to a gentle kiss. Draco could smell the scent of mango body wash on Harry and the slight taste of butterbeer on his lips
He held onto him, their lips refusing to break as they didn't want to part from one another, Draco moaning softly into Harry as their tongues danced and hands explored
"Mmph... fine" Draco huffed, pulling away "I guess I better go and do this then"
"Rip off the band aid!" Harry grinned
Draco looked a him confused "Rip off the what?"
"It's... never mind... it's an expression" Harry smiled, running a hand through his hair and resting back on the bed
"You've gone and got me all turned on now with that kiss" Draco moaned
"Am I not allowed to kiss my boyfriend?"
"Of course you are but right before I'm off to have a serious chat... how's that going to look? "Hi Pansy, I'm dating Harry Potter and as you can see this raging boner in my pants is proof of that!""
Harry chuckled "I'm sorry, you're just so... irresistible"
"Mmmm" Draco leant back in for another kiss, pushing harder onto Harry's lips with force causing him to bite back and groan under his breath
"Draco... aren't you suppose... to be... leaving?" Harry uttered between kisses
"Just five minutes" Draco looked focused purely on Harry now, his eyes engaged in stripping him and ravishing him
"Wait... wait... If you want me to sneak over tonight after dinner I can... I just think-"
Draco cut him off with his mouth "No thinking, just kissing" he demanded
He grabbed Harry's jumper, pulling it up over his head and throwing it to one side then stood up and did the same himself, hastily unbuckling his belt and dropping his trousers, he stood in his underwear before Harry with a raging erection, hungry for him
"Take your trousers off" Draco said, a serious yet eager tone in his voice, consumed by arousal
They both jumped under the covers, enveloped by the warmth from the bedding, touching, caressing, kissing every part of once another. Harry planted kisses all over Draco's chest, his shoulders, his neck and Draco laid back into the pillows, moaning out with pleasure. Harry always went for his neck, knowing that was his weak spot
Their bodies were hot and sweaty, chests pressed against one another and arms running over each others backs and they pushed themselves as close as they could, no air between them. Two bodies intertwined, locked together with passion, lust coursing through them, unable to take their hands off one another
Harry pulled Draco up from the bedding and wrapped his arms around him, he felt his chest press against Draco's while he scratched up his back, hearing him growl as he bit down onto Harry's neck, close to drawing blood
"Fuck Harry!" Draco moaned, sucking his hot skin and wrapping his hands around his neck, holding him close
"Oh Draco... I love feeling your lips on me" Harry's eyes were shut and his head lulling back facing the ceiling, totally exposing his neck for Draco to devour in their tight embrace as he panted and moaned his cries of pleasure, the sheets barely covering their growing arousal until suddenly a sound caused them to break apart
"Draco?! Harry?! Oh my god!"
It was Pansy
She stood in the doorway to his bedroom completely frozen. Shock had fallen on her face as her eyes were wide and mouth gaped open at the scene in front of her
The split second of silence felt like years as Harry and Draco froze, completely caught off guard and begging for the ground to swallow them whole. They braced themselves for an explosion, but were confused when instead she broke into a scornful laughter
It was a wicked laugh. They could hear the anger behind it and that actually frightened them more
Pansy knew if she didn't laugh at the situation she would end up screaming at them both. She collected herself, shaking her head in disbelief before pursing her lips with a painfully forced smile, her eyes still throwing daggers, nostrils flared
"Unbelievable!" she spat, rolling her eyes and whisking around to exit harshly, slamming the heavy door in the process
"Shit" Draco panicked looking from Harry back to the door "Pansy! Wait! I can explain!"
He scrambled out of the bed, hurrying into his trousers and throwing on his shirt while Harry remained still in the bed, taking in what had just happened in the last five seconds. He jumped out of the bed, looking around for his trousers which he'd tossed somewhere
"Fuck Draco... she's actually going to kill us" Harry gulped
"You think!?"
"You didn't bother locking the door??"
"Obviously I forgot!" Draco cried
He ran from his room, closely followed by Harry who was still wriggling into his t-shirt. Adrenaline and panic coursing through them that they didn't care what scene they caused outside anymore, lucky for them the common room was still almost empty
"Pansy!" Draco banged on her bedroom door "Pansy open up! Please, I can explain" he rested against the frame, guilt washing over him "Pans, I'm sorry, please-"
Pansy swung the door open abruptly cutting him off. Her face was stone cold, she crossed her arms and looked at both of them, grovelling at her doorway "What do you want" she snapped
"Please, can we talk?" Draco begged, panting from the sudden chase
She hesitated, looking back and forth from Harry to Draco, scowling at them. There was a painfully long paused as she considered. Harry always felt she had a resting bitch face but seeing Pansy actually angry was terrifying
"Fine" she walked away, heading across to her desk and sitting coldly on the plush velvet chair with her arms folded and one leg crossed over the other
Harry and Draco gulped simultaneously, holding their breath as though walking into their deaths. They entered her room, Harry closed the door gently and they awkwardly made their way over to perch on the end of her bed, the silence rung around them painfully
Harry looked around her room for the first time taking in the sparkling jewellery on her dresser, the red satin pyjamas that lay strewn across the black bedding and the polaroid photo collage that was displayed across the wall showing memories across the seven years of school. There were moving photos of Pansy with all of her Slytherin friends, the yule ball, common room hang outs, Hogsmede visits, one or two sneaky photos taken in class. It occurred to Harry that Pansy was someone who cherished every moment with the people she loved, and she really did love her friends hard
His gaze drifted to one particular photograph of Pansy from what Harry could only assume was fourth or fifth year, she was laughing uncontrollably beside Draco in the old Slytherin common room, the two of them grinning at one another, radiating happiness
He looked back to the room where Pansy curled up in her chair, looking nothing more than hurt, wanting her best friend back. He was so used to Pansy being so bold and confident, with such a big heart that it pained him seeing her upset like this. His eyes moved to Draco who was remorseful, regretting the lies he told and the distance he put between them. Harry realised now that he couldn't be the reason that two best friends drifted apart, he didn't want to be responsible for that
Draco opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find the right words to start
"Good shag?" she asked "I assume that's where it was going before I rudely interrupted you?"
"Pansy, please let me explain" Draco begged
"I'm listening..."
The tension in the room was sharp, her icy stare sent shivers through Harry who until now had not spent much time with her at all
"Ok... yes... you were right... I am dating Harry, we've been boyfriends for a while now... I just-"
"Just what?" she spat "You lied to me! Both of you!"
Draco dropped his head to his hands "I know, I know and I am so, so sorry, Pansy, truly"
"Draco, you made me feel like shit the other night! You made me feel so awful for accusing you! I was so sure I was right, I knew what I'd seen, yet I chose to put my own ego aside and believe you because I saw how hurt you were!"
She paused to collect her words as they sat before her, feeling the heaviness of guilt weighing on them. Draco was so disappointed with himself while Harry couldn't even make eye contact
"I was coming over just now to apologise, for how I treated you, for what I said" she shook her head in anger and took some deep breathes to compose herself "You made me feel like the worst friend in the world, and now I see you lied to me this whole time! I asked you time and time again and you denied it, lied to my face-"
"Because I didn't feel it was your business to know!" Draco barked "There are two people in this relationship, Pansy. Me and Harry, not you. I'm sorry I lied to you but neither of us we're ready to come out together, I had to respect Harry's privacy, even with you"
"Surely you knew I was on to you guys, you'd have been better off just admitting it than lying constantly. I've known for ages and have I breathed a word? No."
"You didn't exactly make it subtle the other night when you almost exposed us before forcing Harry to kiss me. You didn't seem like you we're going to keep it secret" Draco bit
"Everyone in that room was high anyway, they didn't know what I was talking about"
"I just couldn't let it come from my mouth without Harry's permission. We made an agreement to wait until we were ready Pansy, I couldn't just go against Harry's wishes"
"Why are you both so scared about coming out?"
"Because..." Harry cut in "everyone in the wizarding world seems to know who I am, the moment I leave this school I'll be hounded by reporters and people just dying to talk to "the boy who lived twice" He shook is head at the ridiculousness of it all "I don't want any of that and I don't want Draco being dragged into that either. We wanted it to stay a secret for as long as possible and enjoy it just being to two of us, no one else"
"And I have no idea how my family or anyone close to them will react when they find out. I'd rather they hear it from me than through gossip" Draco explained
Pansy stopped for a moment, hearing Draco's words. She turned her gaze to the side, desperate for them not to see her break her cold exterior but she felt herself faltering
"I understand that" she muttered. Admitting wrongdoing was never her best quality, but she tried "I just wish you felt you could trust me. I love you, Draco. You're family to me. Anyone who makes you happy will have my approval. I would never risk exposing something so important to you"
Draco nodded, feeling stupid for thinking she would ruin everything
"I'm so sorry, Pansy. I was scared, I know some people in your family still speak to the former death eaters, your family know mine. I couldn't risk anyone finding out. I'm sorry I didn't have faith in you. This was brand new to both of us, it still is, and it's amazing but so scary too and right now Harry and I just need each other in this relationship, no one else"
"Your secrets are always safe with me... the only time I share stuff about you is when I know its irrelevant... or funny" She teased, a smile finally appearing "Please, just never lie to me again?"
"Never" Draco reassured, feeling relieved at Pansy handling it so well
"I really felt like you we're pushing me away, I don't want to ever lose you Draco, we don't have many people by our side as it is"
"You never will. I promise, and I'm sorry you found out this way. I was coming to tell you this evening but then... this happened"
She looked at him with pity, warming up to his apology. Rolling her eyes and unfolding her arms she looked across to Harry "You love him?"
Harry nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor
"You'll never hurt him?"
"Never" Harry managed a smile, his hand finding its way to Draco's where he slid his fingers around Draco's and squeezed tight. Pansy noticed this small act of affection and smiled
"Pansy, I'm so sorry too... for not being honest with you before when you asked me and for generally being a bit of an idiot towards you" Harry admitted with an awkward laugh
"I'm surrounded by idiots" she teased, looking at Draco who gave an unamused look
"I trust you, Pansy" Harry's genuine smile warming her over
"Thank you. I suppose I owe you thanks too..."
"For what?"
"Exposing my crush on Blaise... it's sort of made things better between us. We're getting... closer" she blushed
Draco beamed and hugged her and Harry grinned to himself, a wave of relief washing over them both at how well things had turned out
"You two are so great together, it's only taken you seven bloody years!" Draco beamed
"Speak for yourself!" Pansy grinned, nodding in Harry's direction "You and Harry are weirdly perfect together. Besides, I'm the only woman you're allowed in your life Draco" she winked
Harry chuckled feeling the warmth of their friendship together, reminding him of his own with Hermione. He felt guilty for stealing so much time with Draco the past year and decided to give them some space "I'm going to leave you guys to talk... and gossip, I'm sure you've got lots to catch up on"
"Harry, you know after tonight I'm going to squeeze every little detail out of him" she teased, nudging Draco playfully
"Then enjoy getting to know me!" He sighed, standing up from the bed, readjusting his baggy jumper and brushing his hair back from his head. "I'll see you later on" he said to Draco, planting a kiss on his cheek
"You don't have to be discreet around me" Pansy grinned watching their display of affection
"I think you saw more than enough earlier, thanks" Harry moaned "I'll see you later, Draco" he leant back in and kissed his lips, holding him in a brief embrace, both of them feeling strange at the realisation of finally kissing in front of someone as lovers
"We're good, Pansy?" Harry asked finally breaking away from Draco's lips
"We're fine" She smiled, pulling him in to a warm hug with a squeeze "As long as you look after him"
"I love him and I promise I'll never hurt either of you" Harry smiled, before slipping out the door
___________________________________
"Harry?"
Ron knocked at Harry's bedroom door but heard no response. He tried the handle and felt it crack open, swinging into the room
"Mate, are you here?" he looked across the empty room, sure that Harry would be there and confused to find he was wrong. He moved over to the bathroom, the door was slightly ajar
He poked his head around the bathroom door, quietly hoping Harry wasn't doing anything in there but the silence assured him he was still alone in his room
"Harry? I got you some sweets from Honeydukes today while you were with Neville. I thought I'd better replace the ones I ate last week" he chuckled to himself
The room remained silent, only the sound of the ticking clock on Harry's dresser
Ron shrugged and stood over the bed, placing the various bags of sweets down on the sheets, ready for his return later on. He smiled at his kind gesture, then turned to leave the room hoping he'd find Harry shortly.
As he turned away from the bed, something caught his eye, causing Ron to stop in his tracks and furrow his brow in confusion
He turned back around, looking across the room and moving closer, wanting to get a better look at what had caught his attention. Something that he'd never seen in Harry's room before, something completely out of place
He stopped in front of Harry's bed, reaching out slowly to move his pillow to one side, getting a better view at the gleaming emerald green school tie that had caught his attention a moment ago.
A Slytherin tie
There were two, tied to the sides of Harry's headboard in even knots, loosely hanging from the frame
Ron reached across and touched it, feeling the material between his fingers, stopping at the sight of the green and silver stripes
Confusion turned to sudden realisation and he jerked his hand back and hurried away from the bed, piecing together what he'd just seen
He scrambled to grab his bag, eager to leave but stopped just short of the door as Harry came walking in
"Hi Ron" he smiled