Since the news of Voldemort returning finally went into the general public, everyone was more tense and paranoid. Reasonably so, Harry thought. Now that the Ministry was not keeping it under the lock anymore, Voldemort also seemed to think it was no good to be subtle, meaning there was a horrible murder or torture case in the Newspapers every day.

Whatever was going on in the wizarding world though, the students had to go back to Hogwarts. And this was the reason Harry was in the Diagon Alley together with his best friends to get the supplies for their upcoming sixth year.

Currently, Ron, Hermione and Harry went inside 'Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions', leaving Hagrid outside, who claimed he would stand guard outside as it would be too much of a squeeze for them all to go inside. Harry gave one last glance at the poster of Fernir Greyback, who was sneering at every pedestrian who gave him attention, which were not many since everyone just walked by determinedly and anxiously.

Ron opened the door and the three of them entered. Harry almost tripped over the threshold at the first thing he heard. Ron gripped his biceps and steadied him, giving him a bewildered look.

He knew about Harry's weird obsession with him, knew that Harry was strangely interested in the boy, who was currently complaining to his mum about not being a child. But Ron did not know everything. About the talk Harry had with him one day before the holidays.

And he did not know that Harry had a hard time getting the pale boy out of his head since then.

Ron had probably interpreted his distant looks and abstractions as grief for his godfather's death. It was, sometimes. During the first weeks of the break when he lay alone in the bed where he had to live with the Dursleys who did not care about his well-being at all, Sirius was all he could think about. The loss of the only person who could give him real parental care ate him up and left a huge gaping hole that weighted down his chest. It still did.

Adding to that was the constant reminder of the prophecy that was incessantly nagging in the back of his mind. 'Neither can live while the other survives.' He had still not told anyone. It was too heavy.

Either way, the worry about the prophecy was not as big as the grief he felt for losing his godfather. But still, both of them together, combined with the loneliness he felt being in this house where nobody cared about him, made it hard to lift his spirits.

But almost two weeks into the awful summer holidays, an owl was sent to him and, for the first time since he had lost Sirius, he could think about something else. The rather small brown barn owl had carried a packet which contained Cauldron Cakes, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Pumpkin pasties, Chocolate frogs and even a few cookies that looked like they were self baked.

At first, Harry thought someone had sent him an early birthday present, but there was no birthday card or anything. Just a note that said 'Harry, I hope this can cheer you up a bit.' That was it. No name, no signature.

Harry had hoped, still did, that this packet was from Draco, that he was thinking about him. And deep inside his heart, Harry knew he was right. He could tell that Draco had tried to change his handwriting a bit, but Harry could identify his round, neat letters anywhere. Being at each other's throats for so long, even if it was not always the usual way of fighting, had taught Harry quite a lot about him.

After receiving this package, he could finally think about other things but Sirius and the fate Harry had to face sooner or later. In fact, it was hard to get Draco out of his head.

Even when Professor Dumbledore came about a week later to pick him up from the Dursleys, took him to Professor Slughorn and then to the Burrow, where he had been for the past few weeks, his thoughts often drifted off to a certain Slytherin boy.

It was weird to think about how much Harry thought about the last time he had talked to the boy with a pleasant flutter in his stomach, only to hear him now snapping at Madam Malkin. "Watch where you're sticking that pin, will you!"

The teenage boy appeared from behind the rack. Despite his less than friendly words, Harry could not help but notice how handsome he looked in his dark green robes that glittered with pins around the hem and the edges of the sleeves. Draco strode to the mirror and examined himself. A few moments later, he noticed Harry, Ron and Hermione over his shoulder and immediately caught Harry's eyes. Harry swore that he could see a flicker of excitement dart through those so often cold grey eyes. The ones that Harry had often watched changing into a bluer, more happy colour when Draco thought no one was watching.

However, a second later Harry also thought he could have imagined it.

The green robed boy ignored the trio and focused on his own self looking back from the mirror. "What do you think, mother?"

Narcissa Malfoy strolled out from behind the clothes rack, sending Harry, Ron and Hermione a distaste filled glare before focusing on her son.

Ron leaned close to his best friends. "He noticed us, right?" Harry nodded.

"Then why hasn't he said anything mean to us yet?" Hermione finished Ron's question.

Harry shrugged. He had an idea what the reason was, but it would have been hard to explain now.

It was the incident that Harry had not stopped thinking about since he received the package. But it all started in fourth year. Well, probably earlier.

But well, if he had to explain, Harry would probably start in fourth year.

In fourth year, everyone in the Gryffindor common room was wondering about who they should take to the Yuleball, but they were solely talking about girls. Harry did not know why he could care less about his choice. He just did.

But in the Great Hall, when everyone was slowly gathering, waiting for the Ball to begin, Harry's eyes were drawn to the stairs. "Whatcha looking at, Harry?" Ron had asked. "Well, Parkinson does look not bad, but not so great. What are you staring at like that?"

Harry had looked at Ron, startled. He had not looked at Parkinson. In fact, he had not even noticed Parkinson was there. He had looked at her partner. Malfoy looked fabulous in those long, gleaming robes and his not as usual styled hair...

Harry started noticing things after that. He noticed the smiles he only sent his closest friends when he felt like nobody was looking. He noticed the way Malfoy's eyes turned from grey to blue when he was excited. He noticed how he bit his lip when he was concentrated, especially in potions. He noticed how Malfoy's long, elegant fingers curled around writing feathers and books. He noticed how Malfoy was growing slightly taller than him. He noticed how Malfoy's face got blank every time he was about to genuinely laugh. He noticed how his voice got softer and deeper every time he said something that was only meant for his friends to hear.

At the beginning of the fifth year, Harry started to catch Malfoy's eyes looking back increasingly frequently, and Harry tried to be more subtle. But Harry also noticed how he was seeing Malfoy around the hallways less often. It was like Malfoy was avoiding having to interact with him.

Harry did not know if he should have been happy or sad about it. Hermione and Ron were happy because it ended with less fights and detentions. But Harry... was craving to see him. To have his attention. Harry knew it was stupid, that was why he never told anyone, but he thought Ron and Hermione knew anyways.

On the last day before break, so about six weeks ago, Draco had threatened Harry about bringing his father into Azkaban. Lucius Malfoy had been the main operator in the Operation 'Steal Harry Potter the prophecy for the Dark Lord'. They got caught by the ministry though and now Lucius was in Azkaban.

It was when Harry had made one last stop in the toilet before they had to go to the bus when Draco Malfoy had stopped him. Apprehensively, Harry had looked around the lonely corridor and gripped his wand.

"Relax." Malfoy had said. "Listen, because you're never gonna hear me say it again."

Harry frowned, looking at Malfoy, who had just threatened him a few hours before. Now, he was alone, tense, but looked defeated, sad. "What's wrong?"

Malfoy glared. "Nothing's wrong, Potter. Listen, Now that my father has failed the Dark Lord, me and my mum are gonna have to pay. And since I don't know what will happen during this break, I just wanted to tell you that... I'm sorry. For mine and for my father's actions."

With that, Malfoy had turned his back on Harry, who stood there, stunned. When Malfoy started to walk away, though, his words were catching up with Harry's brain and he started to panic. "Wait! Draco." He had hurried after him, grabbing his sleeve. Draco turned to him, probably wondering since when they were on first name basis. "Do you need help?" Harry asked.

Draco watched him intensely. There was something in his eyes that Harry could not place and he had the strong urge to keep Draco close until he had found out everything there was to know. "I'm sorry, Potter. But I'm a Malfoy. I can't leave them hanging."

"But-" Harry wanted to protest, but Draco took Harry's hand that was clutching Draco's sleeve. Then, too quickly for Harry to catch on, Draco leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Harry."

Then he had been gone in the busy bustle of leaving students.

And here he was again. Safe and sound, as far as Harry could see.

Draco caught his eyes in the mirror, threw him a small subtle smile before turning his attention back to Madame Malkin and his mother. He seemed a bit jumpy and nervous. "So what do you say, Draco darling? Is it good?" Draco just nodded. "Why suddenly so quiet? Are those pins still hurting you?"

"No, it's fine." Draco said. "Perfect. We can go with it."

Madam Malkins looked confused at the sudden change of demeanour, but she seemed just happy that she could sell these robes without getting shouted at by this brat. His mum seemed worried, though. She put a hand on his forehead. "Are you all right? Are you feeling sick, darling?"

"I'm fine." Draco sounded annoyed, trying to escape his mother's grip.

"Are you sure? Should I quickly get some 'small sickly drops'? It'll just take five minutes."

"No, I'm fine." Draco said, gripping his left forearm quickly and glancing at Harry, who was watching him closely. Draco looked back at his mother. "Actually, I do feel not completely well. I can change into my old robes myself, if you would get these drops?"

"Of course." Narcissa Malfoy pressed a kiss to her son's forehead, who flushed and glanced at the three Gryffindors, still standing there and waiting for their turn. Ron sniggered quietly as Narcissa left the shop hurriedly.

"Shall I help you out of these clothes, Mr Malfoy?" Madame Malkins asked, but Draco shook his head.

"Harry will help me." He quickly grabbed Harry's wrist but Ron grabbed Harry's other arm.

"Woah, woah, woah. Blimey." Ron glared at Draco. "You will not take him anywhere. What is your plan? Lure him into a corner and kill him before You-Know-Who can?"

"Bullshit, Weasley." Draco glared back. "This is and emergency and I promise your precious Potter will come out of this shop unharmed."

Ron squinted at Draco. "And you expect me to trust you?"

"Ron." Harry interrupted. "It's fine. I can handle it. Let me go."

"Are you kidding me?" Ron asked but let go.

"Harry..." Hermione piped up behind Ron. "I know you have this whole... feeling... mess going on, but are you sure this is a good idea?"

Harry looked from her to Draco, who looked back at him. He looked slightly confused by Hermione's words, but there was something else. Desperation, pleading, nervousness, anxiousness, earnestness... "Yes, Hermione. I'm sure."

Draco smiled and pulled Harry into the back of the shop behind the curtains. Harry followed willingly, his heart beating wildly at the close proximity. This boy had always fascinated him.

"Okay, Harry, listen." Draco turned to him when they were in complete privacy. On clothes hangers on the wall, Draco's normal robes were hanging. Harry went to take them, but Draco grabbed his wrist. "Wait, I didn't actually bring you here to help me change. I can change myself."

"Well," Harry said. "I know. But with all these pins?"

"That's not the point." Harry stopped can focused completely on Draco, who kept shifting nervously. "I- I've thought about this. And I still don't know if it's a good idea or if I should tell you at all. I- I just don't know what to do."

"It's okay." Harry said before Draco could tell him more cryptic lines. "What's up? You can trust me."

Draco let out a calming breath, like he was trying to prepare for something. Then, without any preamble, he shoved his left sleeve up and stretched it toward Harry. Harry's eyes widened. He stared down at Draco's pale forearm. It should not be a surprise, but it was.

Draco Malfoy's forearm was covered by the Dark Mark.

Draco seemed to see what was going on in Harry's head, so he started to ramble. "Okay, please don't hate me for this now. I had to replace my father, and I was okay with that. They're my family. But this has gotten out of hand. I'm supposed to kill Professor Dumbledore. And I have to walk around with this. And if I don't succeed The Dark Lord will kill me. Or worse. My mother. I don't know what to do. My mother tries to be strong, but I know she's helpless too. And desperate. And I don't even know why I'm showing you this. If my mum is helpless, how are you-"

Draco went to pull his sleeve back down, but Harry grabbed his wrist before he could. He watched the Dark Mark closely. How it lay ugly on Draco's beautiful pale, but fragile looking arm...

"Harry."

Harry looked up into Draco's pleading eyes. His face was contorted with pain, and it took Harry a moment to realize that it was because of the tight grip Harry had on his arm. "Sorry." Harry muttered, loosening his grip.

"I-" Draco snatched his arm from Harry and held it close to his chest. "I don't know what I was thinking. You can go. It's okay." Draco held the curtain open, but Harry did not even glance at it. Instead, he took a step closer to the blonde.

"Draco." He took his wrist again, gently this time, and pulled him closer. "We'll get through this. Together." Carefully, Harry wrapped an arm around Draco's waist.

Draco looked down at their position, then up into Harry's eyes. Slowly, he brought his hand up to Harry's neck. "Together." He echoed before his lips were touching Harry's.