Bleed Me An Ocean

Note: I am still in the process of editing this, in case some of you are wondering why it gets pushed to the top so often. Update coming soon.

When they reached the end of the tunnel, Harry turned to look at Draco with a sly grin on his face and said,"Welcome to Hogsmeade."

"Huh?" was all Draco could manage at first, he was dumbfounded. He could hear muffled voices and thumps above them. There were definitely people up there. Speaking once more he said,"Where, exactly, in Hogsmeade are we?"

"In the basement below Honeydukes,"Harry said, his face alight with mischief. He had never, in all his years at Hogwarts, done anything quite like what he was doing now. "We have to put the cloak back on until we get out of the shop, then we can do . . . whatever."

"Harry, people will recognize you. You should know that. You're fucking famous," Draco spoke, trying to be cautious although he was trembling with excitement.

"Yes, I know and I hate it, too. But where we're going, I don't think it will matter much anyway," he spoke, hoping he was right. Draco had a point and if he was recognized then they were done for if someone decided to turn them in. He was putting Draco in jeopardy as well since he figured no one would know who the blonde was anyway. Even if they once had, he doubted they would now. Draco was as immaculately clean as ever, but otherwise, his look still screamed 'unkempt'. His hair had grown long and wild and he tended to wear the rattiest clothes he could get his hands on. He looked almost nothing like the fussy little fashion plate Harry had once despised. The messy look suited Draco though, Harry thought.

"And where are we going?" asked Draco.

"Back to The Wolf's Maw. I remember seeing a flyer over the bar that said they have live music there every Friday night. When you mentioned that we ought to get out and do something, it reminded me. I think it may be fun as long as the band doesn't suck," Harry said, proud of himself for remembering the flyer.

"Considering the way The Wolf's Maw looked I am not expecting much, but I'm always open to having a few drinks," Draco conceded, growing more excited by the minute.

"Well then, let's get a move on. It's already getting late and if we want to go back this way, we have to be done by eleven. That's when Honeydukes closes," Harry said, moving to slide the cloak back over them.

"Wait. Let's ditch our robes. We may get busted anyway, but let's not advertise that we're Hogwarts students. Besides, I hate wearing these damn things," Draco said even as he yanked the robes over his head, a flash of white belly showing as his long sleeved t-shirt pulled up a bit as well.

Licking his lips with desire brought on by that one teasing glance, Harry nodded in agreement and pulled his own robes off. "Ready now?" he questioned.

"Indeed," Draco replied, stepping in front of Harry and pressing against him as the cloak settled over them. Stooping down so the cloak fully covered them, Harry reached over Draco, listening for any sounds directly above them, satisfied with what he did (or rather, didn't) hear he opened the door.

They stepped out into the dimly lit basement and looked around at all of the boxes of candy, wishing they had some before stepping onto the stairs that led to the main shop and began to climb silently. Reaching the next door, they listened once again and hearing no sounds that seemed close to them, they eased the door open just wide enough for them to slip through the gap it provided and slipped into Honeydukes.

The candy shop was rather crowded that evening with people from the village out shopping and enjoying their Friday evening. Harry and Draco stepped around shelves and browsing customers without incident however. They were even lucky enough to go out the door behind a witch that was leaving with a sack of candy clutched in her hand. Hurrying as fast as they dared, they stepped from the porch and into the alley beside the shop.

Taking the cloak off, Harry grinned triumphantly as he folded the magical garment before shrinking it to fit neatly in his pocket. Draco just looked relieved. He had been so nervous as they made their way through Honeydukes that he'd been shaking. He'd kept imagining the look on his father's face when he found out his son had gotten caught sneaking out of school with Harry Potter. It had been all he could do to keep from squeezing his eyes shut and freezing. Yet, he did have a strong will and had forced himself to keep moving. Now they were safe - or at least safer - in the alleyway and soon they would be in The Wolf's Maw once more.

He still had his misgivings, but the look of pure elation on Harry's face was a bit catching and soon he grinned back. This was fun, reckless and stupid, too, but incredibly exciting as well. It was freeing to be able to slide away from the suffocating corridors of the castle.

"Shall we go?" Harry asked him, raising one eyebrow in question.

"We shall," Draco said, really relishing the idea now.

They made their way to the pub, moving quickly with their heads down as an added precaution. Sticking close to the edge of the path, they soon arrived at their destination. The building looked even more ominous at night, truly resembling a crouching predator that waited to devour them. The pub's appearance was betrayed though by the sounds of chatter and laughter from inside. The high squeal of guitar feedback pierced their ears even though they stood outside.

"Well, from the sounds of it, the band may suck, but I think they'll be loud," Draco remarked as he stepped in front of Harry and opened the door, "Let's go see."

Smiling, Harry hurried behind the blonde and into the din of The Wolf's Maw. The place looked nothing like it had when he and Draco had spent the afternoon there. For one thing, there was a surprisingly large group of people in the place. They all seemed to be having a good time, laughing and drinking. The other difference was that the tables that had been set up near the front of the bar had been cleared away to allow room for a small, raised platform to be set up and to leave room for, what Harry figured, was a makeshift dance floor.

A low 'hmm' from Draco pulled Harry's attention back to him, "What is it?"

"Nothing really . . . just the same bartender from last time is here tonight. What if she recognizes us?" Draco asked, looking worried again.

"It'll be ok. I seriously doubt she'll know us. It's been three weeks, if not longer, since we were in here last," Harry reassured Draco, even though he was a bit concerned as well.

"I guess we're fixing to find out then, because I want a drink," Draco stated as he took off towards the bar, his too-rapid pace betraying his nervous state.

Stepping between two grizzled looking wizards, Draco stood at the bar. He didn't have to wait for long before Nyx saw him and smiled, "I had a feeling I'd be seeing you two again," she said, as she looked at Draco then at Harry who stood closely behind him.

Seeing the look of alarm on their faces, she laughed, "Calm down. I'm not going to report you or anything like that. Two whiskies, right?" she finished, pleased to see they looked a bit more relaxed and some color was beginning to seep back into their faces.

"And leave the bottle," Harry spoke up before Draco could say the same thing.

She left to retrieve their order and Draco collapsed against the bar with pure relief. Harry blew a stray wisp of hair out of his eyes with his own heavy sigh. "I thought we were dead," Harry said, laughing a little to try and shake off his lingering nervousness.

"Shit. Me, too," Draco said.

They hadn't even noticed that Nyx had returned until she spoke up, saying,"Just because I'm not going to turn you in doesn't meant that if someone else here knows you two are Hogwarts students they won't. Although, I know my patrons pretty well and I think they can keep their mouths shut. We sort of thrive on rebellion here, me and the crowd that're my regulars. But hey, try and keep a low profile just the same. Deal?"

"Not a problem," Harry said, before asking, "You thrive on rebellion? What's that mean?"

"Look around Mr. Green Eyes, do you see anyone here that looks like they could work at The Ministry? We're all outcasts in our own ways, too strange to ever pass as normal," she said, her eyes sparkling at the look on their faces.

"You seem normal to me," Draco said, unsure of what she was getting at.

"I only seem that way to you boys because neither of you are quite normal are you?" she replied.

Harry couldn't help but say, "I don't get it."

"You will. One day you will," she replied enigmatically, "Just let me say we were the same kind of teenagers you are - sneaking out of school every chance we got, drinking all night and sleeping all day. Piercing our tongues - and noses", she said with a nod at Draco's silver septum ring, "Getting tattoos and listening to every so-called wrong kind of music we could get our hands on, the heavier and louder, the better."

"You have piercings?" Draco asked, interested now.

With a small smile she said, "Yeah, but none that I can show you. That would be inappropriate. Now you two drink up and have fun, I have to work."

The last thing she did was toss her head back and howl with laughter as the realization of what she had meant dawned on them and their eyes widened simultaneously in surprise. Taking his drink and the bottle, Draco moved away from the bar, "Let's find someplace a little less out in the open to sit."

"Right then," Harry said grabbing his drink, still shaking his head at what Nyx had just told them as he followed Draco to the back of the pub.

They had just taken their seats when the band that had until that point been setting up, testing their equipment and doing sound checks started taking their places. "I think they're fixing to start playing," Draco whispered, eagerly looking at the stage. Harry wondered just what kind of music they would be playing. If what Nyx had said to them was any indication, it would indeed be heavy and loud.

An excited hush fell over the crowd as the lead singer stepped forward from the shadows, tossing the cloak they'd been wearing to the floor behind them. "It's a girl," Harry whispered, his thinking that the music would be heavy quickly changing. Girls couldn't sing the kind of music he knew that Draco liked, and that he had come to like as well.

"What's your point?" asked Draco.

"Well . . . she's a . . . SHE . . . women can't sing the kind of stuff we like. Can they?" Harry asked, an incredulous look on his face. She certainly looked the part though, he had to admit that. She was tall and muscular, yet still looked feminine. Her mouth was painted dark red, long black hair streamed down her back, threaded through with streaks of electric blue. Her clothes were black and simple. Just a tank top and worn jeans, but her boots appeared lethal for some reason. They shone darkly with a lustrous polish that seemed almost threatening with the way she slowly tapped her foot. Turning to face the crowd head on Harry saw that her eyes were almost as black as Snape's and her sleek hair fell over the left side of her face, almost totally obscuring it from view. Her beauty was cold; regal, her skin the color of marble and the glare in her eyes spoke of endurance and a pain that had been bred into rage.

"I am sure there are women that can do it. Be fair, Harry," Draco admonished as he poured his second drink and topped Harry off.

"I'll believe it when I see it," Harry said, still having his doubts.

He didn't have long to wait as the the drummer began pounding slowly and hypnotically on his snare. Soon the bass player and two guitarists joined in, the tempo of the song rising as the crowd began to shuffle closer to the stage and those that had remained seated leaned forward. Grasping the microphone with one hand, the dimmed light of the pub shining off her blood red nails that were long enough to be considered claws, she opened her mouth and Harry jerked in his seat as she loosed a low, throaty, growl. It left him riveted, all he could do was sip from his drink and acknowledge that, yes, women could sing like that. Draco seemed equally enthralled as she began to sing the actual words to the song.

Her voice became smooth and sad on the last part, washing over the crowd as she finished. Silence filled the room for a moment, then the crowd stood and roared their approval, Harry and Draco among them. "Wow," Draco breathed, "That was fucking awesome. It was like a poem set to music," then he turned to look at Harry, smiling bigger than Harry'd ever seen him smile before and said,"Harry Potter, this is the best idea you have ever had."

"I have my moments," Harry smiled back at him, glad that he had made Draco happy for the time being. It felt good; like he'd accomplished something.

The band launched into another song with a throbbing, almost sinuous beat and the singer's voice curled over the crowd, laced with acid and lust. Downing his drink, Draco stood and said,"I want to dance. Come dance with me."

"I'll be there in a minute. I need to use the toilet. Just stand where I can see you," Harry said, as he rose to go in search of a restroom.

Nodding, Draco took a sneaky sip from Harry's glass before setting off, laughing as he heard a muffled, "I saw that," over the roar of the music.

Standing at the edge of the surging crowd, Draco lost himself in the rhythm of the song, swaying his body in time to its seductive beat. He jumped as he felt strong arms wrap around him from behind, starting to pull away until a familiar voice whispered in his ear,"Shh . . . I wanna hear you scream."

He leaned back against Harry's chest, smiling despite himself. Squeezing his thin frame closer to him, Harry began to move with the music as well, swaying as Draco was. Soon, his eyes slipped closed and he let himself drown in the song and the warmth of his love pressing against him. Draco's eyes were also closed as they moved and he could feel Harry's arousal against his back. Leaning farther into the embrace, he ground against Harry as a particularly heavy drum solo pounded out. This, he thought, is Heaven.

Soon the song was over and the band started a faster, growlingly angry tune and they surged against the crowd, jumping up and down with the rest of the audience. Harry followed Draco's lead and slung his head wildly with the pounding bass and the throaty screams of the female vocalist. His hair lashed across his face and as it would clear from his eyes, he could see Draco dancing wildly directly in front of him.

They danced for one more song, one that was alternately fast and violent, that swung down into a slower chorus, that the singer would use to bewitch the crowd with her words, her voice a throaty purr. Then she would scream again; a wild animal sound that made the crowd go crazy. After it was over they made their way back to their table. Harry quickly checked the time and was surprised to see they'd only been at The Wolf's Maw for an hour and a half. They still had plenty of time before they had to leave. Pouring himself a drink and handing Draco the bottle so that he could do the same, they sat in companionable silence sipping their liquor.

Harry and Draco were both drunk by the time the band finished their set around ten p.m. They stared in awe at the amazing performance they'd just witnessed as the lead singer introduced herself and the band before saying, "Thank you all for coming out. We were The Great and Secret Show," then stepped off the stage, heading to the bar where Nyx gave her a hug then handed her a drink.

Another glance at the clock told Harry that they only had about thirty minutes left before they had to leave, if they waited any longer he felt like they would really be pushing their luck, "Drink up, baby," he murmured into Draco's ear, "We have to go soon."

Seeing Draco's face fall, Harry sighed. He knew how much Draco had come to hate school, but he knew they needed to go and it would be a very unwise decision for them to stay out all night. Even knowing that, he couldn't help but consider it briefly anyway. It was fun, it was like being free. No one had bothered them all evening and they had been able to sit and enjoy the show without fear of running into one of their classmates or being treated like rabid monsters the entire time. It was a nice feeling, the feeling of acceptance and casual indifference towards them. At The Wolf's Maw they were just a part of the crowd, not The-Boy-Who-Lived or The-Son-of-a-Death-Eater.

As Harry had expected, Draco rapidly picked up the pace of his drinking, downing the alcohol like it was nothing. It pulled at Harry and drew him to do the same. As always, the little voice of reason in his head spoke up, telling him he was becoming an alcoholic; as always, Harry pushed it away. He knew what he was turning into - may've already turned into - yet he wasn't all that bothered. In fact, he liked it. Every morning he swore to himself that he wouldn't drink that day, and every night he went to bed drunk. Unbeknownst to him, Draco had once made the same promises to himself, yet he'd given up the lie long ago. It was a losing battle, one that Harry no longer worried too much about fighting. He swam away on the rush of the liquor and grinned drunkenly at his revelation. It felt more like a triumph than a loss. An utter defiance of everything he was expected to be and all that he never asked for. He poured another drink and turned it up, matching his lover swallow for swallow.

Thirty minutes had passed and the bottle sat empty between them. Harry felt undeniably queasy and hoped with all of his might that he wouldn't vomit. Draco sat beside him, wobbling in his seat, his head lolling despite his best efforts to control it. Laughing at the state they'd once more found themselves in at The Wolf's Maw, Harry said,"Thish plashe ish a bad influence."

Draco giggled in agreement, then looked at the clock, closing one eye completely and narrowing the other to a silvery slit and sighed, "It'sh time."

Rising oh-so carefully from their seats, they made their way to the bar to pay for their alcohol. Harry stumbled and stepped on Draco's foot, causing the blonde to almost yowl out an,"Ooooouch!"

"You sound like a cat," Harry giggled, then apologized as Draco glared at him.

Flagging Nyx over, Draco muttered to Harry, "I'll get it thish time," then to Nyx, "How much?"

He swayed on his feet, looking at her with only one eye open as she quoted the price. He dug in his wallet for the payment and handed it to her, having to try twice before he rung her hand. Eyes twinkling with laughter, she asked,"So'd you have fun tonight boys?"

"Oh yesh," Harry said, grinning sloppily as Draco simply opted to nod vigorously.

Unable to help herself, she laughed and told them to come back and see her real soon, they were always welcome. She swore also, not to tell a soul she'd seen them. The young men said their goodbyes and walked semi-sideways out of the pub. They shivered as an icy wind knifed through their clothes and snow flew into their eyes. It had been calm when they'd entered the place, but now it seemed a storm was winding up.

They blundered their way back to Honeydukes, their travel further impeded by the howling wind and sleet mixed with the snow that stung their reddened cheeks as they walked against it. Reaching the candystore without incident, they stepped quickly into the alley as they had earlier and Harry pulled his cloak from his pocket, unshrinking it after studying it for a moment as though he wondered what it was. Once again, they crammed themselves under the cloth, this time with Harry's arms wrapped tightly around Draco to try and steady them both as they made their lumbering way to the door of the shop.

Luck was once more with them for as the last customer of the evening opened the door to step outside a strong gust of wind sprung up and ripped the door from his hand. Seeing their break, Harry and Draco rushed into the store, bumping into the customer who looked puzzled, but was too busy trying to regain his grip on the door to pay much attention. A look around showed the store's only employee busy on the far side of the room, away from the door to the basement. Practically running and trying their hardest not to giggle, they made it to the door and eased it open quietly before slipping inside and making their way pell-mell down the stairs.

Having made their way back into the tunnel, they pulled the cloak off and collapsed into fits of drunken giggles. "What an adventure!" Harry howled, remembering how they'd knocked into the customer on their way in.

"And performed with feats of grace never before seen," Draco laughed back, holding his sides.

"Oh yes, terribly smooth," Harry gasped back,"We could definitely be secret agents. No doubt."

Draco had successfully overcome his initial misgivings about sneaking away from Hogwarts and was now imbued with a rush of pure joy at having succeeded at their endeavor. It had been a great evening and it made him love Harry even more for taking him out and risking his neck like he had to do it. True, they would've both been in huge amounts of trouble and still may be since they hadn't made it back out of the passage and into the school yet, but for the time being, it was great.

Stopping to catch his breath, Harry sobered for a moment and looked at Draco with an intensity like nothing he'd ever seen before and said,"I love you. I love you so much," his voice shaking with emotion.

Staring back at him with the same level of intensity, Draco smiled softly before saying,"I love you, too. I think maybe I always have."

Taking his hand, Harry said,"Together," and Draco finished for him by saying,"Forever."

They began their way back down the passage then, leaving their robes to rot in the dust beneath the Honeydukes entrance and exit. Halfway back, Draco stopped cold. Harry turned to look at him, meaning to ask if he was ok. His own nausea had passed, but he thought maybe Draco was feeling sick. His question was stopped before he even asked it by Draco's lips on his. He kissed him submissively, imploringly. Harry was glad to take the lead and pulled him closer, sliding his tongue into Draco's willing mouth. They drowned in one another as their tongues slid against each other slowly, teasingly. Harry's hands stroked Draco's shoulders and back all the way to the waist of his shirt before he slid them under the cool cloth to caress the skin there, kneading it softly as he did so.

Draco sighed into Harry's mouth, floating in the gentle touch. His own hands gripped Harry's butt tightly, pulling him closely and grinding against him to let him know he was ready. Breaking the kiss, Harry pulled his shirt off before grasping the hem of Draco's and lifting it over his head as well. He licked and sucked at the silken flesh of Draco's milk-white throat as he unzipped Draco's pants and shoved them off of his hips. Hooking his fingers in the waistband of the blonde's boxers, he slipped down Draco's body, licking and nipping him here and there with no direct course. First, he'd lick his right nipple, then move to the left side to run his tongue along the ridges of the scars that littered Draco's ribs. He moved ever lower with each caress until he'd reached Draco's pelvis, where his fingers were still underneath the elastic waist of the boxers, caressing the smooth flesh of his hips, only to run from each side and meet in the middle to tease just the head of his cock.

By the time Harry slipped his boxers off, Draco was quivering with pent up desire. Hurriedly he kicked his bothersome clothing away, his shoes going with the same movement, leaving him only in his socks, which made him feel vaguely ridiculous, but he couldn't be bothered to take them off at the moment. He cried out softly, his voice echoing off the walls of the tunnel they were in, as Harry's lips played over the head of his twitching prick, coating it with saliva as he took more and more of his length into his mouth. He could feel the head pressing against the back of Harry's mouth as he worked him skillfully. Involuntarily, Draco arched his hips as he felt his prick slide down Harry's throat, the muscles there flexing as Harry 'swallowed' him. Creating a rhythm that was at once teasing and sincere, Harry moved his dark head back and forth on Draco's swollen cock, taking his entire length each time. Draco's pale fingers threaded through Harry's ebon locks at the pleasure the soft, wet mouth was affording him. He muttered Harry's name over and over again as his fingers dug into his hips the way he loved so much. The ecstasy was almost agonizing, he stayed poised on the brink of orgasm from the light sucking. It was intense enough to cause him great pleasure, but not enough to push him over that divine edge.

Without warning, Harry released his possessive grip on Draco's member and slid up Draco's thrumming frame almost snakelike before hissing in his ear,"I want to fuck you."

Draco blinked his eyes, trying to clear his head which was spinning not only from his drunken state, but from the almost hurting need to come. Finally managing to get ahold of some sort of reason, he looked at Harry, the question evident in his eyes. Smiling, Harry buried his face in Draco's neck and whispered silkily,"You're not the only one that thinks ahead. I brought it."

Knowing that Harry was referring to the vial of patchouli oil, Draco shuddered as he bit his lip and nodded his head in ascent. He felt Harry's full mouth spread into a bigger smile against his neck before he stepped away, his eyes glittering in the dim light that was cast from their wands which lay forgotten for the time being on the floor. Taking off his own clothing, he came face to face with Draco and pressed a rough kiss on his lips before slipping behind him in one smooth motion that reminded Draco of shadows. Large hands grasped his waist and pulled him close before pulling away again. He moaned aloud as Harry's soft lips traced the curve of his shoulder blade, the teeth fitting briefly into the scar that was left from their coupling that morning in The Room just before the earthy smell of the oil invaded Draco's nose.

He could hear the slick sounds of Harry greasing his own ready cock before he felt his finger pressing into his ass, lubing him as well to make the going that much easier. He leaned his head into the crook of Harry's shoulder as the delicious sensations of his stimulated prostate began to tingle through him. He whimpered softly as the finger withdrew from his tight passage. Harry gently wrapped one arm around Draco's waist and with kind, but insistent movements encouraged him to bend at the waist so he appeared draped across Harry's forearm. The sudden rush of cool air on his now exposed back made him shiver, a shiver that intensified as he felt Harry's oiled cock pressing into him. Pulling him around so that Harry's own back was against the wall, he continued to slide into Draco. "Please, more," Draco moaned, his voice a breathy rasp.

"Of course, my love," Harry muttered, his own voice gone hoarse from desire. He slid all the way inside of Draco then. Fucking him slowly, he meant for it to last. Their upper thighs met flush with one another. They were seamless from the waist down. Harry's thrusts were slow, but deep, every movement grazed Draco's prostate, inflaming his desire, pushing him to new heights of pleasure. He let out a strangled shriek as Harry's free hand began touching his swollen, aching and dripping cock. The movements of his hand were as timed and slow as his thrusts inside of him. But gods, how Draco loved it. It was the sweetest torture he had ever known. There was the pain of Harry's fingers digging into the flesh of his waist and the glorious burn of his hard dick inside of him, now this. Draco began to thrust back against Harry, squirming with a need to come that was like a hunger inside of him. Harry was in no hurry though, or at least pretended not to be. The fact was, he wanted to plow into his beautiful lover until they both screamed their release in the old passageway, but he was determined to make it last.

All of his movements though didn't mean it could last forever and before much longer, his thrusts, though still slow, grew more jerky. He gasped air in large, cool gulps as he neared his own release and Draco was nearly crying from his own desire to come. They moaned and writhed against one another, the taller boy still draped over Harry's arm until finally, Harry could take no more and moved faster inside of his lover with unforgiving thrusts. Draco came first, screaming and thrashing. It felt like he'd never stop coming. His seed seemed to almost gush from him in copious white ropes that splattered Harry's hand and the floor, some shooting all the way to the other side. Harry was next, his grip on Draco's waist tightened to near-crushing proportions and he almost howled as he spent himself inside of his lover, also feeling as though he would never stop coming.

Panting, they collapsed against each other as their knees buckled under the sheer pressure of their orgasms. They lay in a tangled heap of limbs, still moaning and bucking for a few more moments before any semblance of sense returned to them. Harry slid his softening penis from Draco as he pressed a soft kiss on the back of his neck before he slid from beneath him. Standing on wobbling legs he helped the blonde to his feet, who almost fell into Harry as his knees threatened to give once more.

"I . . .," Draco said, his eyes wide with wonder,"I . . . just . . . that was bloody fucking unreal."

"I agree," Harry said, kissing him lovingly.

After they broke the kiss they dressed slowly, taking their time. Fumbling around a bit to get a grip on their wands, they finally set themselves back to rights. Harry hiccuped loudly and said,"I'm still drunk."

Draco looked at him, smirking, as he said,"Did you think an orgasm would sober you up?"

"No, but while we were . . . you know . . .," Harry started before Draco interjected with,"Fucking?"

Making a face at his lewdness, Harry slapped himself for his own prudishness before starting over,"While we were fucking, I didn't feel drunk at all."

"Neither did I, but maybe it's because we were more focused on the matter at hand to notice at the time," Draco said, strangely pleased that he'd made Harry curse, not that he never did, he just typically didn't do so where their sex life was concerned and Draco found it silly in a way.

That brought another smile to Harry's face as he said,"Perhaps. Perhaps," before inquiring,"You ready to head back now?"

"No. But I guess we have to," was Draco's honest answer.

"Then let's go," Harry said, taking him by the hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

When they reached the statue of the witch that led them into Hogwarts, Harry ushered them under the cloak once more and quickly checked his map. Seeing that the coast was clear, he pushed the statue aside and they stepped into the corridor. They began walking back to their room as the statue slid closed, making a soft grating sound on the stone floor. The glory of that one night was unsullied by any interruptions from Filch or Mrs. Norris and they settled into their room without incident. Content and genuinely happy, they settled into one anothers' arms and just laid there quietly, listening to each other breathe until sleep claimed them.

A/N: There's the smut I promised. Hope this chapter is better than the last. I actually kind of like it.

PLEASE review this chapter, I am almost (but not quite) begging you to. The feedback keeps me going. We scribblers have fragile egos, don't'cha know?

Update (of sorts): I am so sorry this story seems to be upsetting some of you, but my REALITY tends to bleed into my FANTASY. This is the first time I have ever spoken about addictions (self-harm or alcoholism) in any of my work and it means a lot to me. You all keep reading it, then essentially yelling at me for what I have written. Well, I am genuinely sorry . . . but as I said several chapters back - there is an inner realist in me that begs to be indulged. The sad fact is that though people may see them, they likely don't notice what is going on. It's human nature to overlook things that could be, shall we say, unsavory and even if they do notice how many people are reluctant to say anything?? Hermione is back in the picture and the girl isn't dumb . . . so . . .

I like psychology, it in fact was my major in college, though it isn't my profession. And just for the record, the thing about chronic alcoholics not being able to get it up is a bit of a myth. It only happens maybe once out of thirty times. And Draco won't just wake up one day and be cured. A lifetime of abuse takes more than a couple of months to overcome. Harry's drinking - think about it, could YOU conceivably remain that stalwart through all the boy's been through even when your best efforts seem to fail time and time and time again (six books worth of it) not to mention the abuse he suffered with the Dursleys. Think about it. That's all I ask.

Not to mention, this chapter . . . they may have gotten drunk and that's all you seem to be seeing (you reviewers know who you are . . . to the others or future reviewers, exclude yourselves) the point really was THEY HAD FUN and lots of it. Yes, they may be alcoholics, but ffs! they can still enjoy themselves like anyone else. I love Harry and Draco and who they are in this fic, they have dimensions and feeling and (Kali forbid it seems) real problems.

JUST STICK WITH ME things will work out and if you DON'T like the way I am writing this, then quit reading it. Sheesh. *hides under desk* Rant over. Good day.

And finally: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!