With A Dragon's Heart

AUTHOR NOTES:
Just a few lines to say, “Wow! Thank you so much for all your awesome reviews!!” I wish I could respond, but unfortunately, this site doesn\'t let me. My life journal does however, so feel free to comment there and I will definitely reply! You can find out the link under my profile... Annie


CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: The Indulgence


Severus Snape opened the door with a start. Harry about leaped out of his chair and Snape merely scoffed at him. He crossed the room and picked up his half emptied glass of brandy. He downed it in one shot and he closed his eyes to relish in the calming effect it gave him. Giving a sigh of contentment, he set the glass back down and narrowed his eyes at Harry. A fast shiver of dread ran through Harry as if he should feel responsible for Draco\'s behavior.

“It is late and I am going to the main hall for dinner,” Snape stated coldly. “I will return with something for you and Mr. Malfoy.”

Snape headed back to the door then spun around to face a befuddled Gryffindor.

“Unbeknownst to me, Potter, Mr. Malfoy would like to have a word with you.”

He left the room without another word, leaving an open-mouthed Harry. Harry blinked a few times before registering it was time to move his feet. He plodded to the other room silently as if not to wake a sleeping child.

“Try as you might, Potter, you’re not very quiet.” Came a voice in the distance.

Harry’s face flushed and started to walk normal.

“That’s more like it. That was starting to get on my nerves.”

Harry stood in the doorway, unable to move.

“For Merlin\'s sake Potter. I’m not going to bite. Come in already.”

Harry kept his eyes focused on the floor as he approached the bed Draco was sitting on. The blond shook his head and snorted.

“And I won’t break either. Now come on,” Draco commanded as he patted the area in front of him.

Harry nodded and crawled onto the large bed. He crossed his legs and stared at his hands in his lap.

“As you have probably deduced by now, I did in fact have a ‘loving’ father,” he said bitterly.

Harry opened his mouth but Draco held up a hand to silence him.

“No need, Potter,” he replied calmly. “However, I do wish to thank you.”

Harry’s eyes widened and his jaw fell open. “T-thank *me*?”

Draco waved his hand again, looked away and continued. “I have slept with other men, but it was only for the sake of revenge.”

He peered at Harry through the corner of his eyes and saw a very stunned Potter. Draco shook his head and clarified. “It was the only way I knew how to get back at him. To sleep with his so-called friends. I thought maybe it would humiliate him.” He became angry remembering his father’s reaction. “But instead he handled them one by one by erasing their memory of the… ‘episodes’ as he called it.” He paused and turned his face away again. “Needless to say he wasn’t happy with me,” he said as he winced.

Draco locked his eyes on his lap and gently bit his lower lip. He jerked slightly as two hands cupped his face and lifted it up to meet a concerned one. Harry smiled almost gratefully and caressed his fingers along the Slytherin’s jawline.

“You helped me, Draco.” The Slytherin boy looked at him, quirking his brow questioningly. “In the shower, I was um, you know, and every time I started to, well, be rough, I closed my eyes and I saw your face.”

Draco smiled in satisfaction, but immediately changed it to a sincere thanks. “Congratulations. I’m glad I could help.”

Harry returned the smile and spoke again. “Now I want to help you.”

Draco sighed in despair. “There’s nothing you can do, Potter.”

“Yes, there is,” Harry responded reassuringly. “It’s perfect.”


~*~*~*~*~


“Potter, that’s crazy. Do you have any idea of the consequences?” Draco asked with a tinge of fear in his voice.

Harry merely nodded his head. “Yes, I do.” He paused briefly, examining Draco\'s face. “Would you be able to face him?”

Draco sighed and looked away. “It would be hard… I’m not a Gryffindor you know.”

“That’s for sure,” the raven-hair boy teased.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Thanks,” he said sarcastically.

Taking a moment before asking, Harry sighed then whispered, “Draco?”

The pale boy snapped his eyes to him; shocked that he used his given name again. “Yes?” he asked cautiously.

“Why did you thank me earlier?”

“Oh.” Draco cast his eyes downward.

Harry waited patiently as Draco pursed his lips together and studied his folded hands on his lap. He closed his eyes then raised them to look directly at Harry’s.

“The other men I slept with?”

“Yes.” Harry acknowledged.

“Um. Well, I knew it was *them* because I didn\'t care whether I came or not. All I could think about is my…”

Harry nodded, letting Draco know he didn\'t have to finish his sentence.

“Anyway, with you…I…I … well, it felt good. It felt … right.”

Harry smiled warmly at the embarrassed boy. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

“Well it shouldn’t,” Draco suddenly snapped.

“What? Why not?” Harry asked defensively.

“For Merlin\'s sake, Potter! Doesn\'t it bother you that I was thinking of *him*?”

“No it doesn\'t as a matter of fact! Do you know what I was thinking when I heard you?”

Draco shook his head numbly.

“One, I was thinking how lucky I am that you revealed your secret to *me*.” Harry paused. “And two, how awful it must have been for you.”

“Don’t you *dare* pity me,” Draco growled as his eyes narrowed.

“I’m not pitying you! It’s called ‘empathy’, you stupid git! There\'s a difference!”

Draco bowed his head and nodded. “Sorry,” he whispered.

Harry scoffed and turned his head away. He shut his eyes and sighed deeply.

After an unbearable silence, the Slytherin finally spoke.

“Harry?” he asked in a quiet voice.

Harry still wouldn\'t meet his eyes. “What?” he said flatly.

Draco rolled his eyes around nervously. “I...I think your idea is brilliant, Harry.”

The Gryffindor furrowed his brows and turned back to Draco. “You do?”

Draco nodded. “When?”

“Well, it’s something all three of us need to work out together.”

“All right,” Draco agreed.

A warm feeling rushed through Harry at hearing Draco\'s consent. He knew just how hard it would be on Draco\'s part. He gazed into the pale grey eyes and felt an undeniable urge to kiss him and suddenly ached for his touch. It was apparent Draco was feeling the same way because he too was watching Harry intently. Draco leaned forward on his arms and stopped just short of Harry’s lips.

“Harry? Can we try again?”

Emerald eyes responded back with a smile in them. Harry touched Draco\'s cheek with his hand and lightly stroked his lips with his thumb. Draco leaned into Harry’s palm and slightly turned his face to kiss it. Harry cupped the other cheek and pulled Draco to him. Their lips met and Draco softly moaned. Harry moved his mouth side to side over Draco\'s, relishing in the velvety flesh. They both parted their lips at the same time and sealed the small gap between them.

Draco reached behind Harry’s neck and pressed against him as his mouth opened further, searching for a tongue. Taking the initiative and not breaking the kiss, Harry guided Draco down to the pillows. They stretched out their legs and Harry lightly covered Draco\'s body with his. The Gryffindor knelt on his elbows and began showering the Slytherin with soft kisses on his face. He paused at the hollow of Draco\'s throat and feathered the tip of his tongue along the soft skin.

Draco gasped at the intimate touch and pulled Harry in closer. Harry smiled into his neck and gently nipped it. Draco moaned and thrusted his hip up to Harry’s. The tanned boy lowered himself down, covering the pale boy’s body. It was a strange sensation to Draco to be naked under a fully clothed Harry. Draco tugged at Harry’s trousers and Harry lifted his head and smiled warmly. He rose up to his knees and began unbuttoning his shirt.

“No. Let me do it.” Draco whispered as he sat up.

“All right,” Harry said softly.


~*~*~*~*~