WAS

Chapter three.


Okay, i have to admit, the system crash sorta ruined my pdate/writing streak.... But now i'm back on track. I hope you stick with me, and here goes chapter three! Please review!


CHAPTER THREE


Draco kept walking. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, forcing himself by sheer will not to place a hand against his pounding chest. Harry was taller now. His hands were softer, his eyes warmer, his voice more smooth... or was it just that he had never really spoken to him? Had they always fought? Had Harry Potter always been like this? If so, why had Draco hated him so firmly?

He jerked to a stop as fingers grabbed the back of his shirt and whipped around to look at Potter. Draco looked away when Harry couldn't speak. Why had he done that? Here he was... all this time believing he was different from all the other whores on the street until Harry Potter came to find him. He'd never advertised quite like that before.

He had to say something.

"Malfoy--come--come stay with me."

Draco stared.

"...What?"

Harry's hand loosened in the fabric of his shirt.

"You should...you should come to my place."

Draco knew that Harry was the Heroic type, but Draco was never someone who was rescued. He was offered gentle whiffs of escape and freedom, but he was never one to get it. This was wrong.

"At least for tonight... I can't...you can't...." he sighed.

'come stay with me...for the night...' The fear eased gently from Draco's stomach. He wouldn't have expected Harry to be the type to enjoy emotionally dissattached sex, but he new this territory well.

He nodded.

"Okay."

Harry looked up at him, his eyes shocking Draco with their anticipation and the hopefulness he had known them for. He took Draco by the hand, reinforcing the idea that Harry seemed to need constant physical contact.

The inside of his car looked a little smaller and felt a little colder when Draco sank into the seat for the third time.

Potter wasn't speaking. He looked nervous.

Draco shut his eyes. What was wrong with him? Why was he so disappointed? What else could have happened?

He entertained himself for a moment with the image of a horde of Aurors waiting behind Harry's shut door and attacking him all at once as he approached. The flashes of red and green were surprisingly soothing. Especially the green.

"We're here."

He pushed those thoughts reluctantly away and looked around the darkened parking area. Potter's apartment was only five stories, and looked dwarfish next to the tall downtown buildings. They took the elevator to the fourth floor and Draco grimaced at the odd smell of mixed foods in the hallway which didn't dissipate until they shut the apartment door behind them.

Harry led him about the apartment; the living room, the kitchen, the dining room. Draco payed little attention until he pushed the door open of a darkened bedroom.

Draco went inside and Harry flicked the light on behind him. He watched as Draco walked to the window seeing the orange lamplight hitting the empty street.

"Not much of a view, I know," harry said.

Draco at Harry, standing awkwardly next to the door and he leaned back against the window.

"So how are we going to do this?" he asked. The words were coming out with surprising ease. He felt so dis-attached.

Harry looked away.

"Well, no one should know you're here for now," he said. "I made sure that I'm not really being watched, but first Malfoy--" he shook his head. "Draco," he said coming forward. "I have to know... were you a Death Eater?"

Draco stared.

"What do you think?" he demanded.

"I don't know, that's why I'm asking you!"

Why was he asking now? This was no time for these questions! His body taking over in his panic he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Harry's neck.

"What does it matter?" he asked.

Harry’s eyes widened dramatically.

"I--I just have to know." He pulled Draco's arms from his neck, but didn't fight as they were hugged about his waist instead. Draco pressed his face into Harry's neck, feeling him shiver. Draco couldn't do this looking at him. He could handle most things being done to him, he was sure, but not while looking into those green eyes.

"Were you?"

Draco nodded. What difference would it really make.

"Yeah," he said. "I was." Harry's entire body stiffened. Draco shut his eyes. "But I left," he said. Had he ever told anyone this? "And the night I did--before any of your people found out--Voldemort was defeated." His voice was trembling.

Harry tried to pull him away, tried to see his face, but Draco dug his fingers into Harry's back. He didn't want to look at him tonight, not any more than he already had.

Those years ago, that cold night, he had thought it would end. He had never known that it would last this long. This pain.

He took a deep breath and pushed it away.

"Then you can stay here. No matter what."

Draco froze.

He looked up at Harry finally, shocked by the determination in his eyes.

"What--?"

"You don't have to worry any more," he said. "You can live here."

Draco stared. Was that really--?

He felt his cheeks redden and pulled away. Harry didn’t want him—? No, there were more important issues here.

"I can't, I'll be found."

Harry shook his head.

"You may not have your wand anymore, but I do. No one's coming through that door for you."


End Chapter Three

AN: Isn't Harry so heroic? He practically sparkles with the dashingness sometimes. Any way, PLEASE REVIEW! ...shouldn't be too long for the next chapter.