Blood Ties.

Harry stared down at his plate of eggs and kippers, trying to force his stomach to unclench so he could eat them, but they still looked as appetizing as dragon bogies. He sighed and lifted his head, sipping his pumpkin juice and turning to Blaise at the mention of his name.

"Sorry? I was a bit distracted, what did you ask?"

Blaise cocked a dark brow at him and smirked, leaning closer in to murmur with a silken purr.

"Mmm...What could have you so distracted, Harry?"

The inherent suggestion in the tone, and Blaise's nearness made Harry nervous, but he quelled the urge to pull back and only flashed a teasing grin at the aggresively attractive young man, leaning close to breathe against his ear.

"I'm sure you can guess, Blaise."

He had to restrain the urge to snicker as Blaise shivered and drew back, turning away to gulp down his pumpkin juice. The dark boy nearly choked when Malfoy's dry, icy voice rose behind them.

"Blaise, I'll thank you not to sit too close to Harry...and if I ever catch you flirting with him again, I'll skin you bare."

Harry's heart gave a great, glorious leap at the jealousy he heard in the blond's voice, then chuckled when Blaise wriggled swiftly away, allowing Draco to take his place at Harry's side. All eyes seemed to be on them as Draco reached to lay one possessive white hand atop Harry's, and his thumb caressed the length of Harry's middle finger as he murmured.

"You weren't flirting back, were you, Harry?"

For a moment, Harry wondered if it was such a good idea to so openly reveal their relationship, then he realized that it could only underscore how badly everyone had misjudged their 'hero'. A lazily amused smirk curled his lips as he turned to flash a challenge at Draco with his blazing, green eyes, seemingly unaware of the audience around them.

"And if I was, Draco?"

The hush seemed to intensify as Draco's lips hardened and the silver eyes became as sharp as the blade of a dagger. Emerald and steel clashed, sparks flew and then Draco grabbed the back of his head and kissed him almost savagely. The intensity sent shivers down Harry's spine and he parted his lips in welcome to the insistent press of Draco's tongue, mouths dancing with one another in a bid for control that left them both panting breathlessly. Electricity crackled in the air around them when they finally drew back, staring into one another's eyes and grinning fiercely.

"I'd kill you."

Harry's laughter rang out over the silent hall and he slid closer to Draco, until his lips brushed the other boy's ear softly, breath washing warm against the pale shell.

"You'd try."

The silence held a moment longer, then a high, shrill voice shouted in fear.

"Ron, no!"

Harry turned swiftly, without thinking, and his wand was in his fingers suddenly, pointed at the charging form of his former best friend. Ron's face was twisted in purest rage, red and snarling, hands balled into fists. He stuttered to a halt halfway to Harry and stared at him, rage giving way to shock at the sight of the wand pointed at his chest.

"Problem, Weasely?"

Harry's voice purred out cool and vaguely mocking, his head canting as he stared at Ron with disdain, barely taking note of Hermione as she ran over and grabbed Ron's elbow.

"Ron...come on. Please!"

Blue eyes narrowed on Harry as Ron straightened and his lips pulled into a scowl, the sound of his voice thick with hatred.

"You make me sick."

Harry's smirk widened and he shrugged blandly, slipping his wand away as if he found it pointless in the face of such pathetic opposition.

"Listen to your pet Mudblood, Weaselbee, before you embarrass yourself any more with your jealousy."

Ron's eyes widened and he seemed about to take another step forward, but Hermione tugged and he finally turned away, allowing her to guide him out of the hall.

Out of nowhere, a cool hand latched onto Harry's neck, and he found himself and Draco being propelled forcefully out of the hall, a familiar voice hissing loudly.

"I will not tolerate such outrageous spectacles by members of my house."

~~:~~

Harry and Draco sat side-by-side on Snape's couch, their fingers entwined as the teacher cast the proper spells before whirling to face them. The hard, angry slant of his features lingered for a long moment, and then finally crumbled into a faint smile.

"Was that entirely necessary, boys?"

Harry flicked a glance to Draco and grinned, laughing a bit as he looked back up to Severus, eyes twinkling.

"Turned the trick, didn't it? Harry Potter just snogged Draco Malfoy in the middle of breakfast, then threatened his ex-best mate with his wand, implied he was jealous and called his other ex-mate a Mudblood. Any of that mesh with how he might have acted last year, Severus?"

Draco wriggled beside him and muttered with a tiny grin, squeezing Harry's hand.

"Merlin, that kiss..."

Harry felt heat flood his face as he remembered the intensity of the kiss, which hadn't been an act in the least. He peeked up at Snape and caught him with an indulgent smile on his lips.

"You're very good at playing your role, Harry. However, I get the feeling kissing Draco wasn't in the least feigned."

He traced the ball of his thumb over Draco's palm with a soft sigh, smiling dreamily.

"No, it wasn't, Severus. Draco knows how I feel and now I know how he feels."

The night before, Harry hadn't allowed Draco to answer his words, wanting the other boy to sleep and give it time, to let the immediacy of his encounter with Voldemort to fade. He'd been afraid that Draco would speak more from his desire to be loved, than from his own love for Harry. Harry had been sure he'd have said anything last night if it would make him happy.

"And you two do not mind the whole school knowing?"

Snape's thoughtful question brought Harry back from his thoughts and he looked up, leaning into Draco slightly.

"I don't. Maybe a year ago it would have freaked me out, but it helps us, and...well, I'm not the least ashamed for anyone to know that I'm in love with Draco."

He heard a soft sound and glanced over to see Draco staring at him in surprise and wonder, his eyes a little wet with tears. Snape studied them a moment longer, then nodded.

"Fine, but you can't let your foundling relationship jeopardize the ultimate goal. The new Harry Potter wouldn't be 'in love', and neither would the old Draco Malfoy. You can kiss and such, but the both of you need to remember that it has to seem like nothing deeper than a physical relationship."

They nodded and then Harry turned to kiss Draco's cheek, whispering playfully.

"Think we should get caught snogging a few times, so it looks like we can't keep our hands off each other?"

Draco laughed and nudged him, shaking his head even as a flush turned his cheeks pink.

"What do you mean 'looks like'?"