What It Means

Disclaimer: I don’t own them…I just play with them







Disclaimer:
I don’t own them…I just play with them.

 

A/N: *Tears*
THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER! Waaa….I cried like a little bitch when this was done.
This has been so great, I’ve loved writing this story, and THANK YOU ALL for
sticking with me this far! If I could kiss each of you, I would. I’ve decided
to nix the epilogue…this was supposed to end differently than it did, then the
epilogue…but I like this better. So this is it, my lovelies, this is all she
wrote (literally).

 

Again…I
cannot thank you enough, all of you, for reading and reviewing my story. I
would put up individual thanks, but there would be so many that this would take
another week to post…and I don’t t you you want that. So thank you, *all* of
you.

 

My deepest
and greatest thanks to Jasmine, for betaing this and just generally being my
other half.

 

Thanks to
Liz, the sun in my sky, for all her support and lovin’.

 

Please read
and review…and thanks again.

 

 

 

 

Chapter
16………..A Happy New Year.

**********************************************************************

 

New Years
Eve – all along the streets of London, Draco could hear the chattering of
voices floating through to him, carried on the wind. He walked along, hands
deep in his coat pockets, strands of platinum hair occasionally whipping into
his face and obscuring his vision. His scarf flapped along behind him and his
steps developed a rhythm in time with the click of his shoes against the
pavement.

 

He wasn’t
particularly excited about the evening, having to attend a party and pretend to
be something he most definitely was not. He was, however, eager to begin a new
year. He was now officially Malfoy Senior (if one could be considered as such
with no ‘junior’ to speak of) and although his Father’s recent passing still
invaded his dreams on occasion, he felt that the coming months had big things
in store for him. He would face them all with the competence and grace
bequeathed to him by Lucius himself.

 

It was
perhaps this very path of absent thinking that aided in Draco’s colliding with
another person on the street. He shook his head to clear his straying thoughts
and when he looked over to the unfortunate soul he had crashed into, he was
surprised…to say the least.

 

“Harry…what
are you doing out here?”

 

Harry Potter
rubbed his sore bum and was but a breath away from inventing new swear words
for whomever had so carelessly knocked him over when he heard a familiar voice.
When he managed to get his glasses back up his nose his suspicions were
confirmed…it was indeed Draco Malfoy bending down to help pick up his things.

 

“Are you the
one who knocked me down?”

 

Draco looked
away. “Err…no?”

 

With a mock
scowl that quickly morphed into a grin, Harry lifted himself up. “Nice try you
clumsy idiot. Why don’t you watch where you’re going? I could sue you, you
know!”

 

Catching on,
Draco feigned an outraged face. “Do your worst…my lawyer will eat you alive!”

 

The two
could only hold straight faces for a few seconds before they both dissolved
into laughter. Harry braced himself by placing his hand on Draco’s shoulder,
yet still could not get his snickers under control.

 

“Your lawyer
will eat me? Draco, that’s horrid. You’re famous for crushing someone’s spirit
with one sentence…I’m disappointed in you.”

 

Draco
brushed Harry’s hand away. “Well I wasn’t expecting that I’d have any soul
crushing before lunch today. Besides…I heard it in a film…”

 

“You’re
watching films now?”

 

“No…there
weren’t any infomercials…”

 

Harry
mimicked Draco’s usual gesture and quirked a brow. “You’re a strange one
alright…but that’s what I lo–” Harry stopped mid-sentence and quickly changed
the subject.

 

“Speaking of
lunch…have you eaten?”

 

Draco ran a
hand through his hair, clearing his eyes of the now windblown locks that were
threatening to blind him. “Actually no, I was just going to pick up something
on the way back to the flat…but we could sit down somewhere if you want to.”

 

Harry nodded
and the two headed into a café not far from where they had collided on the
street. Once inside both men removed their coats and Harry chuckled at Draco’s
fussing over his disheveled hair. Draco noticed his tittering and narrowed his
eyes.

 

“I’ll have
you know its days like this I strongly consider gelling it back again, Potter.”

 

Harry pulled
a face and shook his head. “Please no…if you never listen to me again, do *not*
do that.”

 

The two were
shown their seats and after they each had placed an order, Draco withdrew a
cigarette and promptly lit it, inhaling deeply and expelling the smoke away
from Harry.

 

“I thought
you quit that…*again*…” Harry scowled.

 

Draco seemed
unaffected by the reprimand. “It’s been a stressful holiday.”

 

“I’ll give
you that.” Harry relented and silence fell over them briefly before Draco
leaned forward and looked Harry in the eye.

 

“So tell me,
Harry, what plans do you have for the New Year?”

 

“That’s
actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” Harry began. “I’m leaving
tomorrow for Ireland.”

 

Draco
quirked a brow. “Oh? Sounds nice…for how long?”

 

Sighing,
Harry looked away. “I’m not sure, really. I have a one way ticket…I’m guessing
I’ll stay there until my season starts again…that is…if I still have a job…”

 

Draco
stubbed his cigarette out as the waiter returned with their drinks. Both Harry
and Draco chose to ignore their server’s blatant staring at the green eyed boy
and continued their conversation.

 

“Okay Harry,
one thing at a time. First, why might you not have a job?”

 

“Oh…that…”
Harry blushed. “Well…I kind of…yelled at my boss.”

 

“What in
Merlin’s name possessed you to do that?”

 

“He wanted
me to be ‘openly gay’ or some such bullocks…for publicity…”

 

Draco
grimaced, remembering his own troubles. “How odd…I’m currently in the middle of
a deal with a woman who is horribly homophobic.”

 

Harry drew
back a bit and gaped at the other young man. “And you’re still doing business
with this person? Damn Draco…what happened to you? Granted, I’m glad you’re not
horribly vicious anymore…but the Draco *I* know would have made such a woman
want to kill herself when he thr through with her…”

 

With a
groan, Draco leaned back roughly against his seat. “I know…I just…haven’t had
to deal with this yet. Even my Father didn’t particularly care that I was
gay…he just…” he tapered off without finishing his sentence, looking lost for a
moment before forcing himself to brighten. “And I’m offended! I’m *quite*
horribly vicious…I’m just…laying low for a bit. Being an evil overlord takes a
lot out of me…”

 

Harry smiled
at his companion’s success in shaking off his sadness. Draco was getting better
at fighting away his demons, and Harry was grateful for it. Going back to their
previous topic, Harry tilted his head a bit and gave Draco a concerned look.

 

“So what are
you going to do then? About the woman?”

 

The blonde
shrugged. “To be honest, I think I’m going to go to her silly party this evening
and just pray that no one causes a scene.”

 

Harry shook
his head. “Well I for one would think you’d had enough of hiding out in the
closet…but it’s your life, I suppose.”

 

Draco took
his cue to change the subject. “What are you doing tonight then?”

 

“Oh, I’m
going to spend some time at the Weasleys’…they always have fantastic parties. I
suppose I won’t be there late though, as I have to pack.”

 

“Ah yes…”
Draco began “…the trip. So, what brought this move of yours on?”

 

Harry
smiled, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “My season ended and I have a
lot of free time. Ron and Hermione are going to be too busy to spend much time
with me…and well…you’ve been through a lot, so I wanted to give you…space.”

 

Draco
returned the lacking smile. “*I* don’t need space, or time, Harry. If this
miserable excuse for a holiday season has taught me anythit’sit’s that we don’t
really *have* time in this life. I’ve achieved the goals I wanted to…or at
least started out in the right direction to do so. I’ve only really cared about
two people in my life…and I buried one of them four days ago.”

 

“Draco, I–”

 

“Listen
Harry…I’ve come a long way in a short while, but I wouldn’t trade what I have
learned for anything in this world. I left my Father’s house scared anerrierribly unsure; but since then, and even before that…I think, you’ve been a
major factor in helping me determine what I want, who I am…and what my name
*really* means. I want you to have the same thing. If you need to run, then run…if you don’t know what you need, then run. I’ll be
here when you figure it out.”

 

Draco stood
and gathered his coat, leaving enough money to cover the bill on the table.
Harry scrambled in his mind for something, anything to say, but couldn’t force
the words from his lips.

 

“Dra–”

 

Before Harry
could finish a word he was cut off by the familiar feel of soft pale lips
brushing against his own. Draco tasted of cigarette smoke, and faintly of
honey. Harry wondered briefly if he smoked flavored cigarettes. The kiss was
over soon, though, and before Harry could even form a coherent thought…Draco
was gone.

 

**************************************************

Evening had finally come and Draco Malfoy was nervous. Of course, he would have
rather admitted to having the bubonic plague than to let anyone know that
something as simple as a party could unsettle him. Michael, however, was not
fooled.

 

“Really
Draco, *must* I hold your hand through everything?”

 

Draco
slapped his hand away. “You’re the one that wanted to do this in the first
place, so quiet yourself before I bludgeon you and find another ‘date’.”

 

Michael
smirked at batted his eyelashes at his blonde boss. “Does this mean I’m your
girlfriend?”

 

“Well I
suppose if anyone has to be the woman, it’s definitely you.”

 

Michael
frowned at Draco’s retort. “I resent that.”

 

Before Draco
could deal another blow to his colleague’s ego, they had arrived at their
destination. After knocking on the door, they were received by a man in a black
tuxedo who took their coats. They were escorted into the party room where, not
long after arriving, Mrs. Huntington noticed Draco and floated her way through
her guests to greet him.

 

“Mister
Malfoy, I am so glad you could make it!” Her face darkened a bit when she
noticed Michael’s presence at Draco’s side.

 

After a
greeting that both felt and sounded obligatory to the tall, dark haired wizard,
the prejudiced sophisticate glanced around the room again.

 

“Where’s
your date Mr. Malfoy?”

 

************************************************

 

Harry
stepped into The Burrow and immediately he was flooded with the sense of warmth
he had always associated with the Weasley family – the only real family he had
ever known. Molly instantly enveloped him in a hug.

 

“Harry dear,
it’s so good to see you; you’ve been gone from this house for far too long.
Arthur and the boys are in the kitchen.”

 

Harry smiled
warmly at the closest thing to a mother he’d ever had and made his way to the
kitchen where it appeared the Weasley men and a few others were already well on
their way to inebriation.

 

As soon as
Harry’s presence became noticed by the others, he was greeted with a chorus of
hellos. Arthur motioned for him to sit with the rest of them, and for a moment
he forgot his troubles in the company of his friends.

 

*************************************************

 

Draco just
stared lamely at Mrs. Huntington for a moment, unsure of what to tell her and
berating himself for not preparing an answer in advance. Thinking quickly, he
invoked his Slytherin trait of misleading.

 

“My better
half had an important event to attend to this evening.”

 

Michael
sighed in relief, and Draco was just about to do the same when he felt a pat on
his back. When he turned around the face he met was not unfamiliar, nor
specific. Draco was sure he’d seen the man before, he just wasn’t sure where.

 

“Draco
Malfoy, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again. You do know, Emma, that this is
Lucius Malfoy’s boy, right?”

 

The woman
seemed annoyed with her other guest’s presence. “I had made the connection,
yes.”

 

Too drunk,
or too dull-witted to take his host’s curt tone as a hint, the man continued
with his rambling.

 

“I was so
sorry to hear about your father’s passing; I hope you two reconciled before all
of this…”

 

Before Draco
could answer, Mrs. Huntington interrupted. “Were you estranged from your
father, Mr. Malfoy?”

 

At Draco’s
nod, she continued. “Whatever for?”

 

Again before
Draco had the chance to speak for himself, the irritating mystery man (who knew
far too much about him for Draco’s liking) answered
for him.

 

“Draco h bro broke the Malfoy line – walked right out on his father and moved in with Harry
Potter.”

 

Immediately
both Michael and Draco winced while Mrs. Huntington’s expression became one of
outrage.

 

“Better
half, Mr. Malfoy? I take it you meant Mr. Potter then?”

 

Something in
Draco snapped – whether his instincts told him go on the defensive, or he just
tired of the woman’s voice he couldn’t tell; but at that moment he simply
quirked one eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“Actually, I
didn’t mean *anyone* specific at the moment – but if you *must* know, ‘Mr.
Potter’ was at one time my lover.”

 

The woman’s
jaw dropped and both Michael and Draco were just about to turn and leave when
again she opened her mouth.

 

“I’m sure
your father was ecstatic to get rid of you then. Imagine,
Lucius Malfoy’s son a liar and a deviant!”

 

Draco
whirled around and snarled, the look in his eyes wild
and dangerous. Before he could react, Michael had grabbed his arm and bent down
to whisper in his ear.

 

“You are in
a room full of muggles. This woman *will* have you arrested, Draco.”

 

His friend’s
words calming him a bit, Draco resisted the urge to body slam the woman. He
took a deep breath and advanced on her evenly – but the look in his eyes
remained. He reached out his hand and harshly poked the woman in the shoulder
as he spoke – his words sharp.

 

“*You* know
absolutely nothing about my Father, or me. Because if you did, you would know
better than to insult the sole heir of a *very* long line of dark wizards. *I*
am the Malfoy heir, and that means that I don’t need your company, or your
approval. And if I were you, I would refrain from any more ventures into the
wizarding world. We may be in a room ful mug muggles now, but the world of
magic is *my* home and if you taint it with your intolerable presence again, I *will*
kill you.”

 

When Draco
stormed out, Michael could only shrug and wink at the stunned and frightened
woman before calling out a mockingly cheerful “Ta!”

 

Once the two
were safely outside, Draco remained silently angry for a short moment before
bursting into laughter. Michael soon followed.

 

“That felt
bloody fantastic! I want to go back in and do it again!”

 

Michael
threw up his hands. “I wouldn’t go that far. What do you want to do now?”

 

Draco thought
on it a moment and shrugged. “To be honest…I think I’m just going to go back to
the flat. I’ll have a glass of wine; maybe turn on the telly and countdown the New
Year. You’re welcome to join me.”

 

Michael’s
face became a little more serious. “I don’t think that’s such a great idea.
Seeing as its New Years, I intend to be highly inebriated and I don’t think you
want me to kiss you when midnight strikes.”

 

Draco
chuckled. “I suppose you’re right. What are you going to do then?”

 

“I suppose
I’ll find some club or bar and some deliciously pretty boy to kiss.”

 

“You are
insufferable, do you know that?”

 

Michael
nodded. “I’ve been told. You’ll just apparate home then?”

 

When Draco
nodded, Michael leaned in and his face became concerned. “Why don’t you just call
Harry Potter?”

 

Draco sighed
and rolled his eyes. “Is that all anyone ever wants to know about? Harry? If
you must know, he’s leaving in the morning for Ireland.”

 

“Yes. In the
*morning*.”

 

“Personally,
I don’t think I’m up for another one night rendezvous.”

 

Michael
smiled and pat the younger man on the shoulder. “Well,
suit yourself. But if you need someone to kiss, call me.”

 

Draco shook
his head and grinned as the two men apparated to their separate destinations.

 

**************************************************

 

Harry
laughed as Fred and George told yet another joke. He had only been drinking
long enough to feel a slight flush on his cheeks – nowhere near the amount his companions had consumed. Looking around, he noticed that
something was definitely missing.

 

“Ron,
where’s Mione?”

 

“Oh!” Ron
managed “She was real caught up and didn’t know if she’d it. it. She told me
to give you this for her though.”

 

Ron handed
Harry a simple card, his name scrawled on the envelope.

 

“What is
it?”

 

Ron shrugged,
but before he could say anything, Fred interrupted.

 

“Careful
Harry, knowing Hermione it’s a shrunken book for you to read on the plane!”

 

Harry
laughed and slipped the card into his pocket. “In that case, I’ll open this
when I get home.”

 

Ron stood, wobbling
a bit as he did, and tugged on Harry’s arm. “C’mon mate, come sit outside with
me.”

 

Harry
complied and soon the two were sitting under the stars. Harry rubbed his arms
to warm them.

 

“It’s cold.”

 

“Yeah…” Ron
said “…but it feels great, doesn’t it? Winter feels…clean to me.”

 

“I know what
you mean…”

 

“Harry?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Why are you
here?”

 

Harry turned
to look at his ginger friend. “What do you mean?”

 

Shrugging,
Ron pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them, fighting off the
cold. “Why aren’t you with Malfoy?”

 

Harry was
shocked that his best friend could ask him such a question honestly. “Why do
you care, Ron? I thought you hated Draco…”

 

“Hate is a
strong word, Harry. I can’t say I’m fond of the git…but…I’ve been thinking
lately…”

 

When silence
followed his comment, Harry grew frustrated and prodded him. “…and?...”

 

“And having
Mione gone so much…I’m lonely. I’ve learned that I *need* her around me to be
happy…”

 

“That’s
great Ron…” Harry started, scratching his head “…but I don’t see what that has
to do with me…”

 

“I’m just
saying that if anything *I* said has anything to do with you two not being
together…you shouldn’t listen to me. Sometimes I think other people might not
want me with Hermione, you know. I think I might not be good enough…smart
enough. But I don’t care…because I need her.”

 

Harry smiled
at his friend and offered him a warm hug. “I promise you, Ron…there couldn’t
possibly be anyone better for Mione…”

 

“Thanks,
Harry.”

 

“I see what
you mean though…I’m I’m glad for your support. It’s just…sometimes I get so
worried. Draco and I have so many obligations, and things were so great when we
were in school…so simple. I’m terrified something will go wrong and we’ll end
up hating each other again…”

 

Ron placed a
hand on Harry’s shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Harry, you can’t think like
that. If you get so caught up in the ‘what if’s you miss all the ‘right now’s.
I mean…what is life if not a string of moments, one after another until we die?
And then…when that happens…what will you have to take with you if all your
plans were for a year, a day, even a second later?”

 

Harry
blinked and made a mental note that Ron became oddly insightful when drinking.

 

“Harry?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“I’ll miss
you mate.”

 

Without
words, Harry embraced his best friend whose humor, temper, loyalty and
mysteriously ingenious moments had guided him through so many years. When he
finished, he stood.

 

“I’m going
to head home…I’ve still got packing to do.”

 

“Alright.
Hey Harry, what’s your New Years resolution?”

 

Harry smiled.
“I’m not sure…I’ll have to think on it. Tell Mione I’ll miss her.”

 

With another
warm smile, Harry headed inside to say his goodbyes to everyone and floo home.

 

************************************************

 

With a pop
Draco was back in his flat, and glad to be home. It bothered him a bit that it
was New Years Eve and he was sitting at home, alone. However, he was unable to
bring himself to attend any other functions as the holidays had worn him down.
Had this been any other year, his flat would have been filled with fabulous
people – all of whom were sure to feed his ego. But Draco was different now,
and when he looked back on his life…his ego seemed of minimal importance.

 

Deciding not
to let himself get too down, he turned on his muggle stereo and crossed to his
bar. He made himself a drink and thought over his New Years Resolution.

 

He had
already accomplished most of what he wanted to, and Harry was on his own now.
He couldn’t think of anything he really felt he needed to do, and so he went with
the time honored tradition of telling himself that tomorrow, he would quit
smoking – tomorrow being the operative word.

 

**************************************************

 

Ron had just
made his way back inside the house. He was a little sad, having said goodbye to
his friend. He knew he would see Harry again; he just wasn’t sure how many
months would pass before their paths would cross. He missed Hermione. Although
he had infinite respect for his girlfriend’s fierce work ethic, he couldn’t
help but wish that he had been more important.

 

He had just
decided to forgo the midnight celebrations and simply go to bed
when the sound of someone flooing in caught his attention. He raced to the
fireplace and when Hermione stepped out and brushed herself
off, he brightened immediately and swept her up – both of them laughing.

 

‘New Years Resolution’ he thought ‘Trust Hermione…because she’ll never let me down…’

 

**************************************************

 

Harry came tumbling out of his fireplace and looked around hhomehome. He had really gotten used to the flat – it was, after all, the only home
of his own he’d ever had. He had enough money to keep it while he was gone, and
knew it would be here for him when he got back…still, it saddened him to leave.


 

Ron’s words
bounced about in his brain, and although Harry found them true, he could not
find the courage to simply throw caution to the wind. It was ironic, he
thought, that the ‘brave and noble Boy Who Lived’ who had faced countless
dangers and Voldemort himself was afraid of one blonde Slytherin.

 

With plenty
of time until midnight, and needing to clear his head, Harry decided he would go
for a walk. Ron was right…wintid fid feel clean, and breathing the sharp, cool
air always helped Harry set his mind right.

 

When he
stepped out onto the street, he was met with several groups of friends, or
couples – walking (or stumbling) hand in hand from pub to pub. He pulled his
coat around him and began a steady pace – where he was headed he didn’t know.

 

He had been
walking for about half an hour when finally his fingers protested from the cold
and refused to work. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets to warm them and
felt his fingertips brush against something.

 

‘Oh yes’ he thought ‘Hermione’s card.’

 

Harry stopped
for a moment and leaned against an old building, his numbed fingers fumbling
with the envelope as he tried to open it. Behind his head and through the layer
of brick, he could hear the chorus of people inside the pub he’d chosen as his
rest stop. They were singing some Irish drinking song and Harry could feel the
warmth of their sociability all the way outside.

 

Finally, he
got the card open. Unlike Fred’s prediction, there was no shrunken book –
merely a card. He opened it and smiled when he recognized Hermione’s hand tingting. As his eyes ran over the words, Harry felt a tear slip down one cheek,
warm and salty. Immediately the air hit the wetness on his face and chilled him
– but Harry didn’t care. Changing his direction, he took off in a run.

 

‘Thanks Hermione…New Years Resolution
decided…’

 

*******************************************************

 

Michael
looked around the crowded club he had chosen to celebrate at. He couldn’t deny
that he would rather have been with Draco, but the words he had spoken to the
blonde rung true. If he were to be next to him when midnight struck, he would most likely have
been fired for attacking the Slytherin – with his tongue.

 

He ordered
another drink and leaned back against the bar, taking the scenery when an attractive
young man bounded up next to him, ordering a beer. The boy was not as tall as
Dracut hut he was not short either. Michael started at his waist and let his
eyes journey upwards. He obviously was an athlete of some sort, with well
trained and well defined muscles. He looked groomed and from what Michael could
hear he had a faint Scottish accent. His jaw was chiseled and somewhat
delicate, leading to sculpted cheekbones. Finally, Michael got to his hair –
blonde. Not platinum, but more a sandy color and tousled but not so much as to
look messy. Just as he turned away, the young man’s voice carried over the
music to him.

 

“Hey, can I
buy you another round?”

 

“I suppose”
Michael lazily drawled back, sounding uninterested.

 

Undeterred,
the young man moved closer to him. “I’m Shane. What’s your name?”

 

Shane
extended his hand and Michael took it. “Michael.”

 

“So, what’s
your resolution, Michael?”

 

Michael
turned and quirked a brow. “No more blondes.”

 

The other
young man smiled brightly. “That’s a shame. You look just like this fellow I
used to ogle in one of the local art galleries.”

 

His interest
piqued, Michael gave in and moved a bit closer. “Oh?”

 

Taking in
the roar of the music, the smell of sweat and alcohol, and the painfully cute
young man next to him, Michael had a thought.

 

‘Perhaps this single life of mine
isn’t so very bad after all…’

 

*****************************************************

 

New Years
Day was less than a minute away and Draco sat on his couch, his eyes focused on
the clock. Alone and with no one to judge him, he debated internally on whether
or not his pillow could be considered attractive enough to kiss when midnight struck.

 

…….10…….

 

The
countdown had finally begun and Draco decided to hell with it and hoisted the
pillow into his lap.

 

........8……..

 

“You are a
very privileged pillow, I’ll have you know. People have sold their souls to
kiss me.”

 

…….6……..

 

A knock on
his door surprised him, and he almost dropped his smooching partner on the
floor. Setting the pillow aside, he rose to answer the door.

 

“You wait
right there.” He called back to it.

 

…….4……..

 

After
unlocking and opening the door, Draco’s eyes went wide to find Harry Potter
panting and out of breath.

 

“What are y–”

 

……..2………

 

Harry looked
up. “I need to use your loo.”

 

Mr.
Wellington from two flats down chose that moment to look out into the hall. He
saw a disheveled boy with messy black hair had one hand propped against the
door frame. He said something, but his old man’s ears couldn’t pick up exactly
what it was. A second later, a pale hand extended and gripped the other boy’s pants
by his belt loop and yanked him inside. After that, all he could hear was the
happy laughter of two people ringing in the New Year – together.

 

*******************************************************

 

“HAPPY NEW
YEAR!”

 

The Burrow
was filled with cheers, hugs and kisses. The twins averted their eyes with a
grimace as Arthur slid an arm around Molly and pulled her close. Bill’s date
had gotten sick in the bathroom and, sadly, he missed out on his kiss.

 

Ron tilted
Hermione’s chin upward and smiled when he met her eyes. As perfectly mismatched
as they were, both had the same thought.

 

‘I think that this will definitely be
a happy new year.’

 

*******************************************************

 

 

Michael
hadn’t even noticed the countdown, engrossed in conversation with his new
companion, Shane. When the lights in the club went wild and ungodly amounts of
confetti came pouring down on top of them, Michael, ever the alpha male,
gripped the young man’s chin possessively and pulled him in. When the kiss
broke, Shane seemed a bit dazed and it took him a moment to collect his
thoughts. When he did, he smiled his thousand watt smile.

 

“Do you want
to get out of here?”

 

********************************************************

 

Draco, eyes
wide and threatening to tear, wrapped his fingers through Harry’s belt loop and
yanked him inside. Harry almost fell over from the force of it, but instead
fell into Draco, who kissed him soundly, wrapping his fingers into his hair.

 

Step by
fumbling step they moved away from the now closed door, never breaking the
kiss. Harry’s hands slid down Draco’s torso, slipping under his shirt to feel
his skin – even softer than he had remembered. Although Draco loved the feel of
Harry’s silken, messy hair under his palms, he relocated his hands to the other
boy’s front, unbuttoning his coat.

 

Finally, he
was able to slip the coat from Harry’s shoulders and it fell, forgotten on the
floor. Draco felt Harry’s fingers work their way up his sides, lifting his
shirt, and he raises ars arms to allow its dismissal. With his shirt off, soon
Harry’s lips found their way to his throat, one hand behind his head, bracing
him. He felt soft, yet urgent kisses along his collar bone, his chest, his
shoulders.

 

Feeling his
knees give way beneath him, Draco sank down to the floor, bringing Harry with
him. They were behind the sofa, sprawled across the floor – and if it were not
for the difference in their skin tones, one might not have been able to tell
where Draco ended, and Harry began.

 

Removing the
rest of their clothes, piece by piece and encircled by fleeting and salacious
whispers, Harry couldn’t tell which voice was his and which kisses he gave or
received.

 

“…love…”

 

“…missed…”



“…please…”

 

“…love…”

 

“…leave…”

 

“…never…”

 

“…need…”

 

“…thank…”

 

“…dream…”

 

“…love…”

 

He ran his
nose along the smooth lines of a pale neck – the most eloquent he’d ever seen –
and wrapped an arm around Draco’s shoulders to pull hi int into a sitting
position. Untangling their legs just long enough to intertwine them again, he
straddled Draco’s hips, his tanned legs wrapped about his lover’s slim
alabaster waist.

 

Nails raked
across skin and lips laid claim to places never kissed before. Draco had never
felt so owned nor connected in his life. Harry kissed between his fingers, the
inside of his elbow, his eyelids, ears, chin, soul.

 

Tonight
there was no blue, nor red glow – no tears or words of comfort. And when the
blue black of night turned into the pale pink of morning two twin flames, wise
beyond their years, lay together in the most peaceful sleep of their lives.

 

********************************************************

 

Morning
light crept in and Hermione noticed with a great fondness how very beautiful
Ron’s red hair shone when by by the rays of the sun. She reached out her hand
to brush a lock away from his face and he stirred, smiling at her.

 

“Happy New
Year.”

 

She was
silent for a moment, then “Marry me.”

 

Ron was
definitely awake now. “What? Aren’t I supposed to ask you that?”

 

“Ron
Weasley, if I left everything up to you we’d never get *anywhere*. So, what is
it then?”

 

Laughing and
rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Ron flopped back down onto the bed. “Then
yes…as long as I don’t have to be Mr. Granger…”

 

***************************************************

 

Michael
smirked at his unknowing model. He hadn’t really planned on painting so early
in the morning, naked under a smock, but his bed mate looked so very
interesting with one leg thrown out from under the covers and one arm raised
above his head.

 

Already,
this was shaping up to be a fantastic painting.

 

**************************************************

 

Draco awoke
to two green pools of light staring at him. Closing his eyes again, he
stretched and smiled.

 

“I think you
missed your plane.”

 

Harry kissed
his forehead. “I think so.”

 

“What made
you change your mind?”

 

Harry leaned
across Draco to dig into his coat pocket where it had been so carelessly
discarded the night before. Pulling out the card Hermione had given him, he
handed it to Draco.

 

Harry,

 

We’ll miss you so much while you’re
gone. I want you to know that you are a good man, and I am so very proud of all
you have become. Whatever helped you get here – I think it’s worth keeping.

 

Hermione

 

“Harry,
that’s nice…but I still don’t get it.”

 

“No…look at
the other side.”

 

Draco looked
to the other side of the card…it was a quote.

 

After awhile you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn't mean possession
and company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises and you begin to accept
your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
burns if you get too much so you plant your
own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn...

Veronica A. Shoffstall

 

As Draco
finished reading, he felt warm, familiar lips – each kiss followed by a soft,
almost inaudible “love you” – along his jaw, his face, his neck – everywhere.

 

Setting the
card aside, Draco’s soft and determined fingers – the fingers of a man, not
long ago a boy – found their way into ink black hair…where they belonged.

 

“Words to
live by…I think.”

 

Harry nodded
and all was lost to the quiet serenity of a new year.

 

************************************************

 

THE END.

 

 

Waaaaaaa.
*points up* so cute.

 

I hope you
liked it, and I’m sorry it was so long. I told you to trust me, didn’t I?

 

Anyways…if
you’re interested. This is the summary for the next HP fic in line. (Still
untitled)

 

An AU fic,
what if Hogwarts never existed, what if wizards had no organizations, what if
muggle borns had to figure things out for themselves? Set in muggle
college, Harry Potter, orphaned after the mysterious death of his
parents and left with a strange scar always knew he was different. In spite of
his horrible relatives, he works hard and gets into a prestigious college.
Enter Draco Malfoy, arrogant, spoiled and an all around prat. Draco, being a
pure blooded wizard and trained by his family, notices Harry’s talents and
offers his hand – Harry refuses. Soon, however, strange occurrences and
nightmares force Harry to reconsider. The two form an unlikely love/hate
relationship. All too soon, the dark wizard that killed Harry’s parents comes
back and they have to find others of their kind, organizing for the first time
before their world is destroyed completely. Will be H/D slash…just not right
away.

 

THANK YOU
again for reading!

 

Love and
Kisses,

 

Reika