All I Ever Wanted

DISCLAIMER: Warning! I make no claim to any property of J.K. Rowling's, and am in no way profiting by this. I do offer her my sincerest thanks for allowing us this garden of the mind in which we play. Further Warning! This story...and likely any I ever write...are dominated by gay themes and characters. That's how it is, if this in any way makes you uncomfortable...do not read further.

"All I Ever Wanted" ...chap. 9 'Aftermath'

Not surprisingly, Draco woke first, suddenly and joyously aware of the strong arm around him and the still clothed and wonderfully warm body behind him. This time he knew exactly who it was, and he reveled in that knowledge silently.

The night before this, his life had been defined, planned, and full of certainties, none of them pretty. Today he woke free of his past, if only for a short while. In this bed, in Harry's arms, he felt like he could breathe easier than ever before. It was like an anvil had at long last been lifted from his chest.

Draco wrestled with the notion of getting out of bed and at least cleaning his face, which was crusted with the evidence of last night's total meltdown. Then he decided that a bed with Harry in it held the greater attraction to him.

The day was probably well under way for the rest of Hogwarts, but as far as Draco was concerned, all that mattered at this moment was hanging onto this tiny snippet of heaven just a little longer.

Harry's soft breath was on the back of his neck and, now that Draco was awake enough to be conscious of it, an erection was beginning to stir under Harry's clothes. If they'd been standing, the sensation would have made Draco's knees weak. As it was, he could only try to ignore the stirring of his own genitals and hope to the heavens that Harry really hadn't intended for TOO long a time to pass before they could have sex again.

Draco idly worried at his sudden clinginess. It was a new sensation for him and he wasn't sure he liked it. He'd always prided himself on the ability to stand alone, needing no one. Now he knew that it had been nothing more than a pose he'd struck to survive the last seven years.

The remnants of his once implacable pride demanded that he conduct himself with a little more reserve. Meanwhile, the newly awakened parts of him railed against the idea of keeping even the fallen shards of his old life.

He winced at the thought of his life before last night. This was a wonderful place to wake up, but outside the doors waited a world that had not changed overnight, regardless of how much Draco had.

Slytherin House couldn't know what he was doing. One mistake and they'd run him out of there without a second thought. If he was going to date Harry, it would have to be done with the utmost of caution.

His classwork was easy for him. He wasn't quite Hermione Granger, but he was very nearly as gifted as she was. With their classes scattered about the building, the probability of little dates between classes was slim at best. He'd have to make arrangements after classes were out each day.

The sentimental side of him hinted that this room deserved some fixing up...especially since it had witnessed several momentous events in his life. Perhaps it would make a good rendezvous point in the days to come...with a little work.

With the right charms and a little careful misdirection he could probably see Harry every or every other night. That thought brought a contented smile. If he could feel this way just for a little while each day he could make it through waiting for anything more.

Harry began to stir behind him. He could tell by the interrupted breath on his neck and the soft yawn that followed. Draco idly stroked his fingertips down the arm that was draped across his chest, occasionally pausing to softly kiss the crook of Harry's elbow. He tilted his head and looked at Harry's face, only to splash into the big green pools that made up his eyes.

In truth, they seemed a lot more normal without the glasses, except that their intensity and seriousness hadn't been diminished at all. Harry broke into an enormous grin and leaned directly down into a waiting pair of lips. When they parted for air, Draco managed to blurt out, "Good morning, Harry." Then he gave back in to the temptation to stay lost in those lips for awhile.

Harry's only muffled reply was a sincere "It really is, luv." Draco's heart lept faintly when he heard the word 'love'. Coming from Harry in ANY context it felt like music, like poetry that overwhelmed his senses.

When a few minutes had passed Harry worked his mouth down to Draco's neck and finally broke away after a few playful nips. "I hope you'll forgive me if I don't know any etiquette for waking next to you, but I desperately need a trip to the loo." Harry confessed, chuckling.

"By all means, don't let me keep you, bedwetting isn't sexy." Draco bantered, loving the strangeness of the moment and treasuring every second.

Harry clambered out of bed in his rumpled clothes, made a quick dash to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Not that it left anything to be imagined, since it sounded like a firehose had been aimed at a teacup even from where Draco was lying.

When Harry finally emerged, Draco leapt out of bed for his turn with a quick comment about needing a little freshening up with a shower. Harry just ran his hands through Draco's spiky mess of blond hair and kissed him soundly. "I'll be right here, alone with my thoughts...all ten million of them. Enjoy."

Draco stood in the bathroom for a moment, looking into the mirror. What a difference a week can make, he mused. The boy who stood looking into this mirror a week ago might as well have been from another world. Resisting the urge to go maudlin, Draco promptly laid his thoughts to rest with a last saucy thought. 'I may have been from another world, but thank all the gods I'm still unbearably sexy!'

He quickly peeled his school clothes off and moved to the shower. A few moments to let it heat properly, and he was comfortable beneath a steaming torrent of water. The tears of last night were rinsed from his eyes and he felt absolutely sublime.

Then he realized he still didn't have his grooming products with him and he cursed his luck. He'd have to work a few Shrinking Charms and find a way to carry a few of them about his person at all times. At least then he wouldn't have to endure privation every time he slipped away for the night. He could be properly ready whether an evening away from the dorms was planned or not.

He finished as quickly as he could. This time he had his wand handy for a few hasty Drying Charms, as well as a seperate Scourgify to cleanse his tear-drenched robe sleeves. He sauntered back into the bedroom with an air of contentment, only to find a smirking Harry lounging on the bed, next to a large tray full of food. Toast and marmalade, kippers, a few cheeses, and best of all sweet rolls and a pot of tea.

Draco spluttered for a moment, utterly taken aback by Harry's non-chalance, and just before he could even frame a proper question, the big prat answered it with an unbearably sweet smile.

"I didn't actually know what you like for breakfast, so I had some friends in the kitchen bring up a nice mix. You like?"

Somewhat mollified, Draco dived into the sweet rolls and tea. After a few bites and enough tea to swallow with, Draco finally grilled Harry about how he managed to acquire breakfast in bed in less than ten minutes. He was astounded to learn that the house-elves of Hogwarts were discreet Harry Potter fans, and would pull a favor if Harry asked nicely. For results like this (especially sweet rolls!), Draco had to admire Harry's knack for drawing people to him.

Determined not to let too much of his sappy, treacle-sweet urges show, Draco simply stuck his tongue out at Harry and coyly stated..."You are quite the gentleman, Harry! We haven't even had a first date and I've already gotten breakfast in bed."

Harry blushed, "I just want you to be comfortable, plus it's almost eleven o'clock and I didn't want you to have to leave right away if you were hungry. I like this, just so you know, waking up with you and all. I don't think I've ever felt this nervous and this comfortable around anyone at the same time. It's...well...it's really nice. I just don't want it to end yet."

Harry stood and stretched, then shook off his rumpled robes and announced he was off for a quick shower. All the while Draco watched him with a weird intensity.

Just before Harry closed the bathroom door Draco called out to him, "Love?"

"Yes?" Harry looked back, almost on fire with tension and an eagerness to please.

"We should make some plans when you get out, but thank you for thinking of me."

Harry blushed just a little and looked at the floor while he answered. "You're welcome. It was my pleasure...really." Then he shuffled nervously into the bathroom. With a goofy grin still stuck on his face, Harry closed the door and got on with his shower.

It was deeply confusing, pleasing alright, but still strange being cared about by anyone. Draco had been served by many, and when he was honest about it he knew it had never been out of anything but fear or lust.

In the room next to him was a man who could have sex if he wanted it, but wanted to know Draco first. A man that comforted him at his worst and then desired nothing in return. A man who actually tried to think of Draco before himself...without the need to offer a bribe or extort compliance out of him. These things were completely foreign to him. It was hard to believe Harry could be human and still be that basically good.

Resolve crept through him as he listened to the splashing sounds from the shower. Draco had never really put any stock in prayer, but for one second he closed his eyes and turned his head upwards to address the heavens. He sent his silent prayer like an arrow aimed at the sun.

"Please, please, please don't let me hurt him. I know I fucked up everything else, but I'm just starting at this and I need all the help I can get. Just don't let me ruin this, too." He couldn't know if any god or goddess heard or cared, but just this once he felt like he had something worth praying for.

Harry enjoyed his shower as thoroughly as he could. His mind had been racing since the moment he woke. It was surreal, that was it...surreal, to wake up next to Draco Malfoy. Especially a cuddly, sweet Draco Malfoy.

One night could change a lot, but this was almost more than Harry could take in. The reality of this was settling in fast. Harry's life had suddenly become an even more complicated thing than before. He was going to be Draco Malfoy's boyfriend! That thought made it instantly worthwhile.

Harry rinsed the last of the soap and shampoo off and stood for a moment, just soaking up the knowledge that, in the next room, was a whole different person from the one he had known for six years...and he wanted that person badly. More than he'd ever wanted anyone before.

He'd made a promise to himself that he'd wait and start this relationship off the way he'd always dreamed, but the reality of Draco in the next room was another thing entirely. Beautiful, smart, sassy, sweet and sexy as hell! How was he going keep his hands to himself until the right time came? His erection had never completely faded and if he didn't take care of it before long, he'd lose his self control...soon!

Grudgingly, Harry wrapped his right hand around the head of his penis and began the slow gestures that would soon bring him relief. His mind flickered with images of Draco. That pale and slender neck that begged to be nibbled on. Those pale grey eyes that looked at him with such hunger. The narrow waist that drove him crazy whenever Draco wasn't covered by robes. Most of all, the recent memory of those lips on his and that delicate little tongue that teased Harry so effortlessly.

It didn't take long, as pent up as Harry felt, until he was tensed and shuddering as white blobs spattered to the floor of the shower and drained away. Feeling spent and relaxed, at least for the moment, Harry shut the water off and stepped out. A quick Drying Charm and a minute to dress and he was ready for the weird and wonderful life waiting for him just outside the door. As long as it held the promise of curling up around Draco it had to have a happy ending.

They curled around the platter of food between them and ate in silence, pausing for kisses every so often. As the food vanished, the need for a plan grew, so they finally piled together in a nest of pillows and blankets.

Draco took the lead, feeling unusually confident. "At the least, secrecy is called for...just to stay safe. Believe me, Harry, it's not because I want to hide this or you. Actually I kind of want to sing it aloud from the rooftops, but Slytherin House can be...well...unforgiving, and even some of Gryffindor can get a little over excited about things like this. Are you okay with keeping this on the sly?"

"No worries, I understand perfectly. I'm kind of nervous about telling anybody, too. Especially Ron, I love him like a brother, but I don't want to be responsible for him popping a vessel when he hears this. Even so, I want you to know I'm committed to this, and if you'd have me, I want to be able to say I'm your boyfriend, even if it's only to you."

Draco paused a moment, almost flushing scarlet, "I've never been anyone's boyfriend before. Harry, I know this is new territory for both of us, and I'm almost sure I'm just as nervous as you are, but I have to know...are you okay with my past? I mean, I really do have a reputation that comes with my name, and secrets won't last forever. Do you think you can handle that when it starts being a problem?"

"I can handle it, I don't care who you pretended to be, I only know the person in front of me amazes me over and over again. Until last week, I'd never have thought I could feel this good sitting here talking to you. I don't even care how many people you slept with...or hexed, I just need you, the real you, and that's something I'm betting only I've ever seen. If you look at it my way, I might as well be your first, or at least I will be when I've had enough time to get to know you."

Draco collapsed back into Harry's arms with a huff of relief. "Thank Merlin you think that way Harry, a lot of people don't have it in them to look at anything but the surface. When it comes to keeping our cover, I may have to be insulting...at least a little...and only when there are Slytherin students around. I don't even know if I can still do it, Harry. Something broke in me last night, and I woke up knowing it would never be the same again. If I can't do it, I mean keep acting like I did, people will figure this out fast. Maybe not your part in it, but the fact that I've changed. Things could get really ugly if I can't do this. You should know I think it's worth it for you, though."

"I know, and thanks for saying it. I'll back you up whatever happens. You don't have to go through anything alone anymore. Thats what boyfriends are for...well, that and lots of good snogging and the like." Harry's smart comment resulted in another round of mellow snogging and cuddling before Draco fired off his ideas for dates.

"We can go anywhere you like, but we may have to wait until after our last classes, plus a little time for me to keep up pretenses in Slytherin. Maybe after eight every night...or at least any night you want. I was also thinking of using this room as a rendezvous point. After all, there's a secret stair around the corner and we both know the way to this room by heart. Mostly, I just want to spend every night learning everything there is to know about the mysterious Harry Potter. No pressure today, but I'm almost going crazy with curiosity."

Harry chuckled, "Me too, you're on for tomorrow, we could walk to the owlery...or take my Cloak and sneak out to the lake? Or maybe try the top of one of the unused towers and just look at the stars and talk. I always thought I knew you, where you came from, what you thought about things. I know that was all wrong now. I just have to know how anyone so perfect could wind up hiding so much for so long."

Draco almost purred while he burrowed himself into a better snuggling position. "It's a date then, eight o'clock here and then whatever seems good after."

They never managed to make it out of the room until well after four in the afternoon, and it was only grudgingly and with much farewell snogging that they managed to leave at all. The week to come might be heaven, hell or both, but it certainly wouldn't be boring.