Coercion and Confusion

*


Harry waited impatiently for midnight. He spent most of the afternoon pacing around the common room. It was lucky no one was there, otherwise they probably would have yelled at him to calm down! He was so excited that he couldn't stand to eat.

He tried to sit down but was fidgiting way too much to keep still. Finally, at a quarter to midnight, Harry pulled on his invisibility cloak and stole out the portrait hole and down the corridors. He didn't meet anyone until he hit the base of the astronomy tower. He saw two people coming towards him. He darted into the shadows, forgetting he was wearing the cloak.

The two figures were weaving drunkenly towards the spot where Harry stood. They stopped in the middle of the path, so Harry had no way around them. On closer inspection, he saw that it was Blaise and Michael Corner. Both seemed to be a bit tipsy. They were giggling weakly and holding onto each other for support. Harry rolled his eyes. 'Someone went overboard on the Christmas wine...' Harry thought.

Michael suddenly stood up straight and Blaise followed suit. Harry thought, or rather hoped, that they were about to leave, seeing as how they were blocking the only way to Draco. Instead, Blaise reached out and pulled Michael close to him. They shared a messy, drunken kiss. When they pulled away, both were breathing hard. Harry sighed in frustration, wishing they would hurry up and move. Michael spoke, however, and Harry resigned himself to the fact that he'd have to wait a while.

"Hey," he said drunkenly and breathlessly, "Aren't you with Draco?"

Blaise giggled feebly and tugged Michael closer in his arms. "Nah, he's in love with Potter," he breathed and kissed Michael sloppily again. Harry's mouth fell open under the cloak. He what?! Harry silently urged Blaise to stop kissing Michael and explain more. He had to wait sometime for the pair to break for air.

"Yah, Harry loves him too," Michael admitted to Blaise. Harry's shock turned to indignation. How did Michael know? He'd never told him! Did EVERYONE really know? How was that possible?

"You know, I love you," slurred Blaise. Michael giggled again and pulled Blaise with him down the hall, leaving a stunned Harry.

Harry was momentarily in shock. He didn't realize that his path was now clear. He wondered to himself how everyone could have possibly known before he did. Although the part about Draco loving him had not gone unnoticed. The clock struck fifteen past midnight and jolted Harry out of his stupor. He jumped as if he'd been burned and hurried up the tower.

When he got there, he was panting. He hastily pulled off his cloak and moved forward. Draco was leaning casually against a pillar. He turned at the noise of Harry's shoes on the stone floor. Harry sheepishly made his way toward him, knowing he would be angry at his lateness.

"Decided to show up?" Draco asked lightly. Harry was perplexed at his tone. It wasn't drawling or mean. It was light and soft. Harry moved tentatively forward. Draco pushed himself off the pillar and faced Harry fully. The moonlight lit up his gorgeous features and Harry couldn't help thinking that he was the most beautiful person he's ever seen.

"I was delayed," Harry said with a small smile.

To his surprise, Draco also smiled. "Michael and Blaise?" he asked.

Harry was taken aback. "Yeah," he said in surprise.

Draco nodded. "They had a tad too much to drink."

"I can imagine."

There was an akward silence. Harry didn't know what to say. Draco was supposed to initiate. He was the one who had invited him after all.

Draco sighed and took a few steps closer to Harry. "Did you like your gift?" he asked.

Harry smiled again. "Yes, it was brilliant."

Draco came even closer to Harry. Harry desperately wanted to touch him and kiss him and tell him that everything was alright. But he knew Draco would never allow it. He was too proud.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Draco told him with the hint of a smile. His silver-grey eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Draco reached a hand up and stroked Harry's cheek. Harry leaned into the touch, willing it to become more. He was granted his wish when Draco's hand slid around to the back of his neck and pulled him forward into a kiss.

Draco's tongue ran around Harry's lips, begging entrance. Harry readily complied and allowed the tongue to slip into the recesses of his mouth. Draco's grip on Harry's neck tightened as the kiss deepened. Harry groaned as Draco tugged on his lower lip. Their tongues met in a fierce battle. The kiss grew in intensity and Draco pushed Harry against the wall. Harry's hands grasped Draco's hips, dragging him closer.

Eventually, Draco pulled out of the kiss. Harry whimpered quietly and Draco smirked at him.

"You know, this is not why I asked you here," Draco pointed out.

Harry shrugged. "But it's more fun," he said playfully.

Draco's smirk faded a little. "Harry, what do you think this is?" he asked seriously.

Harry frowned slightly. "Sex?" he guessed.

"Is that all?"

"Uh...no?" Harry didn't quite understand where Draco was going with this.

"Harry, what do you want?"

"What do I want?!" Harry repeated incredulously. He'd never guessed this would happen. Draco was asking for his opinion. He'd NEVER done that.

"Yes, want, what?" Draco repeated and Harry could hear his growing frustration.

"I..uh...um...you," Harry said, confused.

"Me," Draco repeated and Harry nodded. "Good answer, Potter."

Harry felt the knot in his stomach relax slightly. "I don't understand, Draco..."

Draco sighed again, like he had to explain something to a very small child for the millionth time. "Harry, I've never wanted anything more from anyone I've fucked."

"Uh...Okay..." Harry said slowly.

"They never meant anything."

"Yeah," said Harry, hoping the direction was going to change soon.

"Well, I've changed my mind," Draco stated.

"What?" Harry asked in confusion. Draco rolled his eyes and kissed Harry softly. Harry didn't want the kiss to end, but Draco did end it. He moved back and surveyed Harry.

"I want more," he said calmly. Harry stared at him in disbelief. Draco stepped back and waited impatiently for Harry to get over it.

After five minutes, Draco was frustrated. "Aren't you going to say anything?" he asked.

"Did I hear that right?" Harry asked. Draco raised an eyebrow and Harry knew he'd heard right. "You...you mean we...we can be together?" Harry asked haltingly. Draco nodded in assent. "Really?" Harry asked, brightening considerably. Draco smiled at his reaction.

"Yes."

Harry grinned suddenly and pulled Draco to him. They melted into the kiss together. Harry was the happiest he'd been in months and Draco couldn't remember ever feeling this good.

~*~

A/N: It's COMPLETE! Please review one last time, and be on the lookout for my new fic, Of Butterflies in a Hurricane, sequel to Falling Away with You.!