After mucking Orion's stables, Draco headed down to the silver sables house for an early lunch. As he walked past the dining hall he stopped. He saw Harry and Julian talking to each other by one of the trotting rings. Harry's back was to him and Julian was facing him. He frowned and noticed Julian saw him. He watched as Julian caressed Harry's cheek and ran his hands through Harry's hair. He watched Harry turned around, obviously curious about what or who Julian was looking at. Harry smiled at Draco and waved, Draco gave a fake smile back and waved at Harry.

Draco couldn't take it right now; he was so jealous, and Julian was flirting with Harry. He walked off towards the house and didn't look back at them. His heart was aching and he didn't want to feel this. Why must he feel like this? Why is jealousy a thing?

As Draco entered through the house, he went directly to the kitchens. He sat lazily down on the stool Harry was sitting on this morning and sighed. He couldn't decide what to have for lunch. It was either wait for Camilla to start making food and see Harry or make it himself and head to his room. Well, seeing Harry he would love but he wouldn't know if Harry had been snogging Julian. Just the thought of seeing Harry come into the kitchen highly snogged was saddening. But he knew it was Harry's choice on who he decides to snog or not. He didn't even recognise someone leaning over the kitchen island staring at him.

"Draco?" It was Camilla and she sounded quite worried. "Are you all right?"

Draco nodded his head, "I'm fine, Camilla." He hoped he sounded alright though. Bloody Julian taking over everything. It's worse how the insufferable gits family owns the stables and the company.

Camilla looked at him worriedly before sighing and grabbed a loaf of bread from the freezer. "Is this because of Harry?" she couldn't help but ask, seeing the unfamiliar frown on the boy's face was concerning.

Draco hesitated and thought for a moment. Would it be best to talk to another adult about it? Or would it only make matters worse? But how did she just... know it's about Harry? Is it an adult instinct or something? But to make matters worse, this was Dave and Julian's Aunt. It's like the Weasley's, minus all the siblings, look after one business together. Before he could decide, he nodded.

"Oh, dearie," Camilla said sadly, wanting to just hug the poor guy but instead distracted herself by dropping the bread on the kitchen island. She's deciding on making sandwiches for lunch. "I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, Camilla," Draco lies to her face and regrets it deeply. He gets up off the stool, deciding he wants to spend the day with Orion, go for a trail ride or a gallop in the hills. "I'm not hungry. I'm going to see Orion for a bit."

"But Draco, you must eat," Camilla said sternly and goes over to the fridge to grab the lettuce, tomato, cucumber and cheese. She looks back at him strictly, not wanting the boy to starve himself just because of some boy. "You can't ride on an empty stomach, Mr Malfoy."

"I don't really care about my hunger right now," Draco tells her dazedly and shrugs. He turned to exit the kitchen into the lounge room.

Camilla frowned and watched the boy leave just before she started cutting the vegetables. "You love him, don't you?" she asks quickly before the boy could leave the room.

Draco stopped, turned around without hesitation and looked back at her. "I guess I do," he admits with a frown. "I just don't know why my feelings for him are skyrocketing after two years and why I'm so bloody jealous of him and Julian."

"Please, Draco," Camilla implored softly. "Stay strong, be brave and don't let this turn your world upside down." She would hate to see the boy break. "He is still your friend, at least you can still be near him."

"Thanks, Camilla," Draco said soberly. "I will try to stay brave and strong." Even though that is exactly why I'm not in Gryffindor and in Slytherin, he thought flatly. He just didn't want the thought of Harry and Julian being together. It'd just shatter him seeing those two openly snogging somewhere.

Camilla smiled sadly and pointed her knife to the wooden bowl of fruits beside her, "You still should eat something, dear."

Draco shook his head. He really needed to get away and be alone. "No, I'm good." And with a frown, he left the room.

Draco exited the house and made his way down to the stables, but a thunder strike hit the sky with a crash, and it made him fall over. He was confused as he looked up at the dark grey sky above him. Why was there thunder now when the skies were clear when he first came out in the morning? He got back up on his feet and felt sprinkles of rain drop down on him.

He looked around his surroundings, seeing as it is now raining, and a wind had picked up and started moving the leaves of the Pine trees. He sighed with relaxation and smelt the familiar fresh smell of rain. He then noticed how it got rather cold, even though it was a perfect sunny day. Everything was becoming cold, he didn't understand.

Draco ran for the cosy room, which was the closest undercover area he could think of. Once inside, he walked over to the fireplace, feeling rain droplets from his hair run down his forehead and neck, giving a ticklish sensation. He warmed up his hands by the fireplace and watched the flames dance around wildly.

He walked back a few meters and sunk down into the couch, not knowing that the couch had someone on the other side. When Draco heard a giggle, he swiftly turned his head around and stared into gorgeous emerald green eyes. "Harry."

Harry nodded, but then his face softened at the Slytherin beside him as he notices how down Draco looked. "Draco, are you okay?" he asks him carefully.

Draco felt the corners of his lips turn down into a frown and he nodded. No, I'm not okay, he thought miserably to himself. What I want to ask you is if you really like Julian. And if so, what exactly do you see in him?

Harry shook his head in disbelief. He could tell the boy wasn't alright. Anyone could. But when looking into those silver eyes that are always sparkling beautifully like diamonds and stars in the night sky, it is quite easy to see if something's wrong because that sparkle is a little dull – a stunning dull. "What's wrong, Draco?"

"Nothing, Harry," Draco responded expressionlessly as he closed his eyes, seeing pretty bright sparkling green eyes in his mind even if they were currently staring at him.

Harry frowned and looked up at Draco's wet hair. He noticed how the tiny raindrops on Draco's hair made him look so beautiful like he was covered in tiny diamonds. He reached up and ran his hands through Draco's slicked-back hair, messing it up and making it fall down the side of his head. He smiled at how Draco kind of had Leonardo DiCaprio's hairstyle when acting as Jack in The Titanic, but his hair was a little longer, white-blonde and he had such a beautiful pale complexion it was almost china doll-like. It was beautiful. Draco was beautiful. He lowered his hand to the side of Draco's head and ran his thumb across Draco's cheek, feeling how soft it is under his fingertips even if he didn't consciously know what he was doing. He was just genuinely distracted.

Draco's eyes shot open, staring deeply into emerald green. He couldn't believe Harry was touching his cheeks. Harry's fingers felt so smooth as they ran across his cheeks. He just wanted to lean in towards him and... kiss him. He looked down at Harry's lips that looked so soft to the touch and so welcoming. He tried not to lick his lips when staring at Harry, but he didn't. He didn't want to ruin this charming friendship he had with Harry, even if he wanted it to be more.

Harry sighed, leaned closer and wrapped his arms around the blonde in a loose hug, knowing how much he needs it for whatever reason he looks so down. He could smell the expensive hair products in Draco's hair gel and the vanilla in his cologne. They were beautiful scents. Vanilla like treacle tarts and what he believes Draco's shampoo and conditioner smells a lot like Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, and Lavandin. "When do we have our next lesson?" he asked quietly.

"We have trail riding in the afternoon, Harry," Draco tells him and feels his heart skip a beat at what Harry was giving him. A warm hug. Never in his life, he would ever think about Harry giving him a hug. A hug that he wants to melt into and stay in the arms of Harry for as long as he wants.

He thinks about why Julian hasn't told Harry of the evening trail riding though. He nudged his nose in Harry's neck to breath in the pine scent. Pine. Ah, Pine. What a beautiful scent it is. "But because of the weather, I would say it's cancelled unless it stops raining."

"Oh, okay," Harry said and hopes the weather will change soon, though he was a little distracted by the feel of Draco's warm breath on his neck. It gave him pleasured tingles down his neck and his back. It was strange, but he really likes how Draco makes him feel.

"Harry..." Draco says after a while of thinking about going back to Hogwarts in a few months. "I don't want to go back to school and have to hate each other again." He really doesn't, not when he has this new friendship he wants to cherish and, if possible, upgrade.

"Neither do I," Harry replied and looked in front of them at the roaring fire dancing in the stone fireplace. "I've had the most fun that I have ever had in life, even if it's only been one and a half days."

"Yeah, same with me," Draco admits and agrees that it's probably one of the most memorable things that have happened over the holidays. Especially this first hug they shared. He hesitated and remembered catching Julian flirting with Harry earlier. "So, are you really into Julian?"

Harry leaned away from the hug, dropping his arms to his side and tilted his head to the side, "Jealous, Malfoy?"

Draco smiled faintly and shook his head. "No, Harry. I'm not jealous at all," he lies to Harry's gorgeous face and hates himself for doing it. "To be honest with you, I just feel like a third wheel at times." Yes, Harry, he thought. I'm so jealous and I wish I could tell you how much I really, really like you.

Harry frowned as he didn't know Draco felt that way. With Ron and Hermione, he doesn't feel like a third wheel. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Draco," he says though doesn't know why Draco feels that way when he spends as much time as he can with everyone. "I wish you could have told me that sooner."

Draco gave Harry a quick smile. He didn't want the conversation to be just about him, and he wanted Harry to answer his question. "You still didn't answer my question, Harry Potter." Please say no, he thought. Please say no...

Harry rolled his eyes and smiled, thinking about why Draco wants to know if he's attracted to Julian. Unless... Draco has a thing for Julian. Now that makes him feel a little sad as he does like Draco, but if that's who Draco wants then... he's fine with that. "He's a sweet guy, Draco. Funny, smart, charming, cute," he listed about Julian and what makes him likeable. "But I've realised that he reminds me of someone else at Hogwarts that I like."

Draco nodded and put on a smirk. At least he knew Harry wasn't interested in the muggle boy and interested in a certain wizard. But still, it wouldn't hurt knowing it was himself that Harry was interested in. "So, are you going to tell me who this guy at Hogwarts is?"

"Nope," Harry shakes his head, "and I'm not going to play guessing games with you." He kept his eyes on Draco's mouth and the smirk he saw. It's so familiar to him and still so amusing though it can be annoying depending on what has happened like when getting insulted by him.

Draco groaned and leaned his head on the couch's back, "You're no fun, Harry Potter."

Harry laughed and gave the Slytherin the best hint he could use, and it made the butterflies in his stomach come back alive, "Right you are, Draco Malfoy."

Draco smiled at him. He does want Harry to tell him who he likes so he can hate this guy for the rest of his life. "Since you won't tell me who this guy is, let's go see if trail riding is cancelled."

"But, isn't it still rai-"

Draco placed his finger to Harry's lips – very soft lips - to shush him. He tried ignoring the flutter in his gut just by having his finger press into Harry's lips. He could just stare at those lips forever and fantasise about kissing them. "Listen very closely, Harry," he said in a quiet voice. "Do you hear any rain?"

Harry stayed silent and listened to his surroundings. He could only hear his heart thumping in his chest and the crackling fireplace but no rain at all. He shook his head slightly; Draco's finger was still on his lips and he pressed his lips forward into Draco's fingers.

Draco blushed as it felt like Harry was kissing his finger. His eyes never looked away from Harry's lips. "We should head off now," he then said and moved his finger down Harry's lip. Though, he wanted to stay here and be distracted by Harry's gorgeous face and presence. "Don't want to be late if trail riding is still on."

Harry nodded and smiled at the familiar adorable tinge to Draco's cheeks. "Alright, let's go," he said as he hopped off the couch. He held out his hand for Draco to take and Draco smiled and closed his hand around Harry's. Harry helped Draco up off the couch, earning a little squeal coming from Draco's mouth as he was pulled off the couch. Harry laughed at the squeal, finding it is quite adorable. "You should squeal more, it's cute," he mumbled.

"What?" Draco asked quickly and felt himself blush while wondering if he heard wrong. Did Harry just say... No, he probably heard wrong.

"Nothing..." Harry said in a gawky voice, and he tried hiding his own blush by looking away towards the exit of the cosy room. "Let's just go."

Draco nodded and walked with Harry to the stables. He looked over to the barn and saw the class already back on their horses. "Ah, we better tack up Dusk and Orion then."

After both boys tacked up their horses, Draco made sure Harry did everything correctly and tightened everything up to the best he could. He was really proud of Harry's improvement, even if it had just been a day. He just thought he taught Harry well yesterday but also today. They mounted their horses and galloped over to the rest of the class by the trails leading into the bush.

"Ah, the latecomers," Dave said, but he wasn't mad that they came late at all. He actually felt curious. "Welcome back."

"Sorry, Dave. We got caught in the cosy room because of the storm," Draco tells him with an innocent smile. Beside him, Harry nodded.

"Um... what storm?" Dave asked slowly, confused. There were some giggles coming from the girls in front of them and the guys around them just looked at them like they've gone bonkers. "It's been clear since this morning."

Draco looked over at Harry beside him, seeing as Harry gave him a shrug and a confused look. "Right... umm," he said, flushing in embarrassment. How did they not see the storm? It was literally here an hour ago and had rained.

"Okay..." Dave said awkwardly, not knowing about any sort of storm above them. "Anyway, glad you all made it." He looked at his students from on Carrots and smiled. "We'll be taking Platypus Creek trail today. Please stick to the trails and no pit breaks unless you ask me first. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Dave," everyone chorused jadedly.

"Let's trot, then," Dave said and with a pull to the right of Carrot's bridal, Carrot turned around and Dave led the way with a swoosh of Carrot's tail. Everyone followed directly behind him.

"Harry?" Draco asked quietly when he and Harry were at the back of the group. He was eager to know if he indeed saw the storm or if it was his mind playing tricks on him. He really hoped he wasn't seeing things. "You saw the storm, right? And the raindrops on my head?"

Harry nodded, remembering the diamond water droplets on the Slytherin's white-blonde hair and how incredible Draco looked. "Yes, I did," he says in a whisper and urges Dusk towards Orion more so he and Draco were a little closer together. "Why didn't anybody else?"

Draco shrugged and reached a hand over to stroke Orion's white mane. "Do you think it has something to do with... magic?" He knows that could be the case since only he and Harry, the only wizards in this place can see it. But if so, what could it be? How could he and Harry only see the storm and feel it?

Orion snorted at the use of the word 'Magic', knowing there was something about magic the two boys had in common. Dusk agreed with the white horse by nodding her head.

"I don't know," Harry says with a little shrug, but he just has a feeling it has something to do with magic. What else could it be? If he and Draco are the only ones who saw the storm then that's strange. Unless the storm was really quick and went by while everyone was inside. "But if so, we should keep an eye on things around here."

"I hope it's nothing magical though," Draco says and thinks deeply about how dangerous it could be for him and Harry, and all the muggles that go to Alpine Hollows. If it has something to do with magic, it could risk the exposure of the Wizarding World to the muggles. "It would be cool if it were but what would happen if it's something dangerous like, spectres or Wendigo's?"

"Those are a thing?" Harry asked at the mention of Wendigo's, his eyebrow raised in curiosity. He knows spectres are real just like any other ghost in Hogwarts, but Wendigo's...? Aren't those creatures dangerous?

"Yeah, but I doubt they are here in these parts of England," Draco tells him and tries assuring Harry that he's safe here in Bristol. "Spectres are up north as well as Wendigoes. I don't know what else could make the sky dark like that, or even freezing cold when it's a perfect day."

"I think it does have something to do with magic, Draco," Harry says and with a quick glance up, he notices two boys with Julian just a few meters ahead of him and Draco and they weren't even talking. They were as silent as a mouse. It was almost like they were listening in to a conversation. Oh... shoot. He continued in a whisper, "It's highly unlikely for a beautiful day to turn into a dark, cold and stormy afternoon in a blink of an eye."

"Yeah, even the raindrops were freezing cold," Draco said with a shudder at the memory. "Like tears of ice hitting you over and over again." He glanced up at where Harry was looking and sighed. Of course, it was Julian he was looking at.

"Yeah, they were quite cold," Harry said with a slow smile, then looked beside him at Draco and remembered how soft his hair was. "Even though they sparkled like diamonds on your hair and I couldn't help but notice how pretty they look on you." He looked down at Dusk's mane and mumbled, "And how pretty you look with...them..."

Orion and Dusk gave an almost laugh as they snorted because of the boys.

Draco looked up at Harry with surprise and tried hiding the blush that was forming on his cheeks. "What did you say?" he asked intriguingly, heart starting to beat quickly in his chest at what he thought he heard come out of the Slytherin's perfect mouth.

Harry smiles and playfully nudged Draco on the shoulder, "It's true, though!"

"Y-you think I'm pretty?" Draco asked with a quick gasp, the blush reddening even more on his cheeks. He was too stunned and flattered to even know he stuttered and if he didn't hear wrong, the most handsome man in the world had called him pretty.

Harry smiled fondly, reached his hand up to caress Draco's cheek with his thumb and trotted off towards the group with a flirty wriggle of his fingers and a wink.

Draco watched Harry and Dusk trot off to the others and smiled lovingly down at Orion. His face felt like it could heat a raw egg in a matter of minutes. Merlin, what Harry does to him. He bit his lip, feeling Harry's touch still lingering on his cheek. "Did you hear that girl?" he asks in a whisper. "He thinks I'm pretty!"

Orion nodded her head, gesturing she heard fairly well about the conversation. But honestly, doesn't he see Harry's feelings towards him?

Draco smiled and sighs dreamily over at Harry. "I really do love him," he whispered to Orion's bridal. Orion nodded her head again and snorted, knowing that her owner really likes that someone named Harry.

Draco laughed, gave Orion a little nudge in the side and trotted up to the group. He kept staring over at Harry as he caught up to the group, watching as the afternoon sun beamed down on him and made him look so dashingly charming. He slowed Orion down as he caught up with two guys from the Orange Oldenburg's.

"Uh, oh. Draco's smiling. Should I be happy or scared?" asked a black-haired, chocolate skinned, and brown-eyed boy riding on a brown thoroughbred with a white nose stripe. Mike kind of reminded Draco of Blaise Zabini back at Hogwarts, with his chocolate brown skin and eyes.

"I don't know, Mike. Happy?" replied a boy with light brown side-swept hair with greenish-blue eyes and is riding on a black and white horse. His horse's breed is a Peruvian Paso.

Draco smiled at Mike and Johnathan. "Definitely happy," he tells them in a bright tone. Take that, Julian.

"Mm-hmm," said Mike with a toothy smile, seeing how very happy Draco was. But why was he extremely happy like he got visited and blessed by an angel. "So, why are you all happy and..." he noticed how rose the blonde's cheeks were, "blushing all of a sudden?"

Draco shrugged; he knew he could tell these guys anything as they're like brothers to him. "He called me pretty," he admitted to the boys and looked down at the rocky ground, a little afraid to show his blushing cheeks.

Johnathan chuckled at the flattered boy. "Who, Draco?" he asks, intrigued with who made this boy feel this way and blush like an idiot.

Draco sighed happily and pointed over to Harry who was walking next to Julian and Dave. "Harry," he says sweetly and just wants to go over to them, latch himself onto Harry and just stay there in Harry's arms.

Mike sighed in awe. It was nice seeing someone who looks like they're in love. But is Draco in love? "So, are you going to ask him out?" he asks him curiously and wondering if he is brave enough to do such a thing.

Orion snorted and wondered the same thing.

"I don't know, Mike," Draco said while contemplating about how it could happen. "I mean, yes, I really like him but..." he trailed off, not wanting to know if he should say anything about Julian. Orion flickered her ears back, wanting to hear more. "I think he has his eyes on someone else," Draco added sadly. A muggle someone else who Harry will only see during the holidays. Whereas if Harry and I...we could see each other every single day. Almost.

Mike and Johnathan frowned at Draco and looked over at Harry who still was talking to Dave and Julian. "I'm sorry, Draco," Johnathan said sympathetically and frowned at him.

Mike shook his head. He doesn't believe it. Not unless he hears it straight from Harry. "No, don't make assumptions, Draco. You shouldn't think that unless he's told you that he likes someone else."

Draco frowned and stared down at the rocky grassy ground beneath him and Orion. "He told me that Julian's cute," he muttered and wished he never heard Harry say that. Why did he have to ask the question anyway? He shouldn't be worrying about these things. It was Harry's choice who he wants to get with.

Johnathan raised his hand and reached over to pat Draco's shoulder reassuringly. "Well, even if he does like Julian, he'll be missing out on such a handsome and sweet guy," he tries to make Draco feel better.

Draco gave Johnathan a small smile, thanking him for the compliment. "Thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome, I guess," Johnathan said, mocking Draco and ended up laughing.

Mike smiled at the two, but then his smile turned into a smirk. "Say, Draco..." he pondered if Draco has had any interesting dreams about Harry yet. "Have you had any shagging dreams of him?" the blush returned to Draco's cheeks. "Blimey! He totally has!"

Johnathan laughed. This has gotten more interesting by the minute. "He has!" he says with surprise. "Don't deny it, Draco, as the blush on your face is redder than my mother's light red car." Draco just shook his head, and Johnathan smirked. "Just in case you didn't know, you basically err... put your...up the guy's bottom." Mike snickered again from beside Johnathan. "And suck him off. Well, suck first and then you do it up the bottom."

Draco's cheeks reddened even more from the information he had gathered but knew already. He was only thirteen and didn't think that would be happening anytime soon. "Alright, that went a bit too far, guys". Yes, definitely a little too far. "But thanks, for the knowledge. I'll keep it stored in the darkest part of my mind where it can't bother me until I need it..."

Mike and Johnathan laughed again. Draco rolled his eyes at the two and trotted up towards Dave, Harry, and Julian. "Hey, guys." He slowed Orion down into a walk and moved towards Dave and Harry.

Harry immediately looked behind him as he heard the familiar voice and smiled with a slight red tinge to his cheeks because of what he called the blonde Slytherin many minutes ago. "Hello, Draco."

"Hiya, Draco!" Julian said with a mischievous smile, hoping the guy remembered their conversation earlier.

"Hey, Draco," Dave said with a genuine smile at the young man. But he thought back to earlier and how Harry and Draco apparently saw a storm approaching. "The storm you said you saw, are you sure you weren't imagining things?"

Draco sighed and shook his head, knowing he wasn't seeing things or even feeling things. After all, Harry saw the storm too. "I did see the storm and my eyesight is virtuous, thank you very much!" This was unbelievable!

Harry laughed at the Slytherin. "There's the Slytherin and the insufferable Malfoy I know from school!" he says casually though grinning in amusement. "It seems he's come back out of hiding. But I don't mind, the Malfoy in you loves riling me up and I let it."

Draco rolled his eyes at the Gryffindor. Harry shouldn't be saying these things in front of these muggles they're around. "Yeah, well..." He couldn't think of anything to say and any comebacks. "The Malfoy, as you say, is me, Potter. That part of me isn't locked up inside some mental cage."

"What is going on?" whispered Mike to Johnathan. They and the rest of the group had caught up to Dave, Julian, Harry, and Draco. They were just all curious about what's going on.

"I think it's their way of flirting," Johnathan tells him in a quiet voice. He and Mike silently sniggered to themselves at the two boys.

"What's a Slytherin?" Julian suddenly asked while looking ahead of the trail they were on. It just led deeper into the bushland.

"Yeah, Harry," Draco said whilst narrowing his eyes at the Gryffindor. He cannot believe how much Harry's exposing the wizarding world to everyone here. "What is a Slytherin?"

Harry gave Draco a crooked smile, knowing how much trouble he would get into but who will tell? Who will believe him anyway? "Someone who is cunning and ambitious," he answered Draco's question.

"Yeah, well you Gryffindor's are all brave and courageous and don't think before you do or say," Draco says and emphasises his point with a simple hand gesture of right now and around them. He held his head high with Slytherin pride.

"And yet, the wizarding world exists, and all these muggles don't know a thing," Harry replied with a smirk and has no idea why he and Draco are practically telling everyone about everything that only they know of, but it is funny to watch Dave and Julian's curious faces.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Dave asked at once, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion but also curiosity at what he's hearing. it's all just a mumble jumble to him.

Harry smiles and looked at Dave with a quick shrug, "It's just a slang we use in our school." It was the only thing he could come up with right now. "We like to be creative when starting conversations and-"

"SNAKE!" Cecelia yelled in fear.

Dave immediately stopped Carrot and turned her around, assessing the grounds for any encountering serpents. "Where, Cecelia?"

Draco looked back at Harry with worry. He gave Harry 'the look' to ask non-verbally if he would use his abilities to drive the snake away. That snake-talking ability.

Orion and Dusk's ears flicked back to the side when hearing the word 'snake.'

Harry shook his head sternly, "I'm not using my Parseltongue, Draco." He didn't want to freak everyone out by speaking in snakes. He would be called a damn freak on his first official day at Alpine Hollows. "It's too risky around everyone here," He adds quickly. "What would you think if you were a muggle and saw someone...well, me speaking to a snake?"

Draco shrugged, even though he knew he would think that Harry would be a weirdo. "I'd think you were weird, I guess," he answers it truthfully though he hopes it doesn't actually hurt Harry in any way by saying that.

Harry smiled and fluttered his eyelashes. "Aww, thanks!" he said sweetly with a hint of sarcasm and Draco's heart fluttered in his chest and he blinked, dumbstruck at what Harry was doing. The green in Harry's eyes glittered as the sun hit them, they were like emeralds on display in a white room. So pristine and perfect, and those long black eyelashes are just so pretty. He couldn't help but smile and when he knew he was staring, he blushed and looked away.

Harry kept smiling at Draco but then looked down at Dusk's black mane as he saw the redness in Draco's cheeks. He stroked Dusk's mane, feeling the softness of the hair under his fingers. He looked behind him at Dave who trotted up to the two, "Dave, can we go ahead on the trail?"

"Of course, you two can," Dave answered him and looked at Draco with a knowing grin. He knows Draco loves trail rides and takes them every day. "Draco wouldn't have any problem getting back so I trust him in returning you safely."

Draco nodded as he knew these trails well as he loves exploring the wilderness. "Alright, I'll take Harry up to one of my favourite places." In his head, he was chanting 'Ha-ha! Yes! Alone time with Harry again'.

"Sounds amazing," Harry said intriguingly to Draco. What secret places around these parts does Draco know about? Then he thought about Hogwarts and wonders if Draco knows of any secret places there that nobody else knows about.

"I haven't even told you what the place is, Harry," Draco responded while tilting his head to the side. He sure did want to show Harry the place he loves to go to. He couldn't even believe he never went there back yesterday. He just thought that he had forgotten about it somehow, but what was distracting him all day yesterday? Oh, he knows who the distraction is without a doubt.

"Whatever and wherever the place is, I'm sure it'll be amazing," Harry said with a quick smile at Draco. What places were secretive to everyone beside Draco.

Draco lovingly smiled and remembered the compliment Harry gave him earlier. Pretty, he thought, biting his lip as he looked down at Harry's lips. Yes, you're very pretty too, Harry Potter. I want to tell you that, but I just can't. You make me so nervous, Harry. You make my heart flutter wildly in my chest, your presence blesses me. How can someone so beautiful like you, be in my life? How can someone so perfect, be my friend?

"Draco?" Dave asked with a knowing smile when noticing Draco just staring at Harry. Jesus, the boy knew how to make it so oblivious to like someone.

Draco was too astonished by Harry to even hear over his own heartbeat that was thumping loudly in his chest. You're so perfect, Harry, he thought. "So kind, pretty, beautiful. Honestly, I could just go on and on...

"Draco?" Dave asked again but a bit louder this time. "You're staring." He, Julian, Gloria, Cecelia and Lillian chuckled at the love-struck boy, while Harry just stared back into Draco's silver glistening eyes warmly.

Draco blinked and looked blankly from Harry to Dave and back at Harry. He just noticed how red Harry's cheeks were and smiled at him lovingly. "Mm?"

"I said, you're staring, Draco," Dave said in a clear voice but more loudly and with the same knowing smile. He just wishes he had a voodoo doll or something just so he can make these two boys kiss each other. don't they bloody see that they like each other?

"Oh," Draco said dumbly and felt a little embarrassed. He could feel the blood rush to his cheeks. Dave and Julian chuckled at the blushing and oblivious boy.

"Race you, Draco," Harry said and gave the Slytherin a challenging smile as he took off on Dusk with a quick nudge in Dusk's' sides. He didn't know where he was going besides forward through the bush.

"You better go after him, Draco," Dave said while watching Harry and Dusk cantering off and he felt a little worried if Harry goes too far into the bushland. "Don't want our newcomer becoming lost."

Without hesitation, Draco nudged Orion's sides and galloped off after Harry through the bush. Orion neighed at her owner and ran up to Dusk and the boy named Harry. In a matter of seconds, Orion and Draco caught up to Harry and dusk.

Harry looked over at the horse and its rider beside him and smiled, "Hey."

"Hey yourself," Draco responded with a shy smile, knowing that Harry saw him just staring at him for what felt like hours but it was in fact long minutes. He hoped Harry didn't think anything of it. One lesson he learnt today was not to stare at Harry for long minutes with people around him.

Draco knew they were coming into a grassy clearing with a few tea trees around the area. It was one of the places closest to his favourite place, a flowering meadow. A meadow full of blooming yellow, white, purple, and pink flowers. He loved to just lay down in the flowers and stare up into the sky, watching the shaped clouds pass by while Orion just grazed around the area.

The two boys slowed their horses into a walk as they entered the grassy clearing and they took a look around at their surroundings.

"Wow!" Harry said, amazed at the sight around him with the grassy clearing and the little trees around them. He just had an urge to see what's above that hill in front of them.

Draco looks at him and agreed at the wondrous sight before them, "Wow indeed." Well, the sight of Harry Potter, that is. Harry is such an incredible sight to him. It's no wonder everyone wants to be friends with him at Alpine Hollows. Harry is just so likeable.

"How far does this go?" Harry had to ask and squinted his eyes to see ahead of him. All he could see was a slight hill with little tea trees dispersed out. But at the top of the hill, there stood a large dead tree.

"You have seen nothing yet, Harry Potter," Draco smiled at Harry, still not knowing how he just found out about his feelings for the Gryffindor only yesterday. Unless he's had them all along but has kept them deep inside. He does remember some odd but nice feeling when meeting Harry for the first time and looking into those green eyes. "There's plenty more to see. Follow me."

The boys and their horses trotted up the slight hill, moving past many tea trees and pine trees on the way. They admired the little bee's buzzing around and collecting pollen from a few dandelions. Harry glanced at the large dead tree in front of them, seeing a small hole in the trunk and wondered what could live there. When they made it to the top of the hill, Harry looked down in amazement at the large flowering meadow.

Draco smiled at Harry and trotted down to the meadow on Orion; Harry followed closely behind him. Draco hopped off Orion and walked a few meters into the field, passing all the coloured wildflowers in the meadow. He let Orion graze around the grass next to Dusk chewing on the watery grass.

He then fell down into the flowers with an 'oomph!' and felt a weight push down on him. He opened his eyes and felt his heart start hammering wildly against his chest and this nervous butterfly feeling in his stomach, and he met with the prettiest emerald green eyes he's ever seen and knows of. He couldn't help but stare at the gorgeous sight on top of him. Harry's lips were only inches away from his own, and he could easily lean up and press his lips to Harry's but he didn't.

Draco's eyes looked up to the messy black hair that shone in the sunlight and then back down to the black-haired boy's lips which looked so welcoming and soft. He looked back up into emerald green and bit his lip as he wanted to end the space between them. The boy's eyes were shining brightly, they looked absolutely breathtaking. And they definitely took Draco's breath away for a while.

Harry smiled apologetically down at Draco but felt his cheeks warm up because of the accidental fall. "Sorry," he says sheepishly, his hands on either side of Draco's neck. He could just... touch his neck but thinks that might be a little weird. "I tripped."

"It seems like you fell for me, Harry," Draco said in an almost flirty but smooth way. He watched Harry's face become tinged with red with an obvious blush and loved how flustered the boy could get at his words or even actions.

The red tinge in Harry's cheeks reddened some more, knowing that's very true. "I-, uh..."

Draco smiled warmly up at Harry, reached up to the boy's face and brushed a lock of hair away from those green eyes. Oh, Merlin, I think I'm in love, he thinks to himself. And-is-currently-touching-the-most-prettiest-face-and-fluffiest-hair-in-the-world. Someone pinch me right now, I must be dreaming.

Harry bit down on his lip and stared into the blonde's silver eyes that sparkled like the shining stars up in the night sky. He leaned up from on top of the Slytherin, looked around at his surroundings and picked up a buttercup. He looked back down at Draco, smiled, and placed the buttercup on the Slytherin's left ear.

Draco's cheeks were flaming red as he stared up into shining emeralds. He just wanted to lean up and kiss this boy slowly, but the urge passed when hearing Orion snort. Orion shut the sodding hell up! You're ruining the moment! he just wanted to yell.

Orion neighed like he could read Draco's thoughts. She was really enjoying the sight of the two boys and could tell Dusk was as well.

Harry laughed at the Slytherin and his horse. "I think we should start to head back," he said distractedly as he slowly ran his hands through the soft white-blonde locks. He was as soft as a kitten and he just wanted to nuzzle his nose in Draco's hair and sniff it. "Don't want a search party after us."

"I guess so," Draco eventually said. He loved the feel of Harry's hands running through his hair, it was like a massage but by an angel. He wished he could spend some more time with Harry alone, away from everyone else. Away from Julian, and away from anyone else who would disturb them. "It is close to dinner time anyway." He sighed while getting so lost in green eyes.

"Yeah," Harry said with a slow nod while staring back into silver irises. "Although, I don't feel hungry at all."

Draco smiled. Did you know that when you are in love, you lose your appetite? he thought as he sat up and Harry crawled off Draco and sat on his knees. Harry cleared his throat and stood up from the ground. He held out his hand for Draco to help him up, and Draco looked up at Harry with a smile and closed his hand around Harry's. Harry pulled Draco up from the ground, but he used too much force so the Slytherin fell forward on him.

They both laughed and headed over to their horses to mount them. They raced each other back through the bush to the stables with challenging smiles. Draco obviously won the race, due to him having more experience at riding than Harry. Once they were back at the stables, they untacked their horses, led them back inside their stable stalls, put the tacking equipment away in the saddle room and headed to the dining hall.

Harry sniffed the air as they entered the dining hall and sighed in hunger. He smelt a range of things like roast chicken, pizza, spaghetti Bolognese and curry. Draco smiled at Harry's reaction, knowing how good everything smells, especially because of the big day they had.

The two sat down where they did yesterday, away from everyone else at the end of the table. But as they both were entirely hungry, they got up and headed over to the tables lined with foods.

Draco dished his bowl up with some spaghetti Bolognese as the herbs in it smelled delicious and he could not wait to taste the mouth-watering food. Harry dished his plate up with some red Thai curry; Draco stared down at the curry in Harry's bowl, hoping the Gryffindor knew how hot it was. As they had what they wanted to eat, they headed back to the end of the table. Immediately, they dug into their food and began eating. Draco slurping the spaghetti while Harry blowing on the spicy curry meat.

Draco wondered what was going on in the Gryffindor's head as he seemed deep in thought about something. So, he asked Harry what he was thinking about. "Someone's thinking deeply."

Harry smiled and blew on some rice on his fork. "Yeah, just wondering what Ron and Hermione are up too."

Draco nodded, swirling some spaghetti around his fork. He didn't want to talk about Weasel and Granger right now, especially since they're pretty much everywhere Harry goes. Well, everywhere except here and thank Merlin! "What do you think they're doing?" he asked blankly, popping the spaghetti in his mouth and Harry looked at him with a sneer. Draco grimaced at what the Gryffindor probably thought. "No! Not like that, you git!"

Harry sighed and shook his head at that particular thought. "Hermione's probably with her parents and Ron's probably with the twins getting up to their usual mischief," he tells the Slytherin and shrugs, not actually knowing what his best friends could be doing. They could be on a holiday somewhere or shopping.

"Ah," Draco said casually. He remembered the Weasel twins and how mischief they were back at school. "Can I ask what you would be doing if you never came here and if your relatives never went on a holiday?

Harry shrugged; he really wouldn't know. But the best he can think of is chores. Lots and lots of chores. He answered with the truth, "I guess I'd be reading in my room if my relatives don't want me doing chores around the house."

Draco frowned as he looked at his spaghetti Bolognese, fiddling with the spaghetti with his fork distractedly. He would do anything to help Harry in this situation, even threaten these muggle relatives of Harry's just so they back off and do their own chores. "You can't go for walks or watch TV?" he asked curiously, now looking back up at the Gryffindor.

"I could, but my cousin Dudley and his friends would come to find me and..." Harry hesitated and stuffed a forkful of rice in his mouth to stop himself from going on with that topic. "I'm not allowed to watch TV. I can sneakily watch it if my relatives are out of the house though. They can't find any evidence to tell that I've been watching TV."

"Why aren't you allowed to, Harry?" Draco asked with furrowed brows but immediately was curious why Harry stopped mid-sentence after saying Dudley and his goons would come to find Harry. And then what? What would they do?

"I'm just... not," was all Harry could really say. It's a sad life, he admits. "I'm not allowed to do a lot of things." He stabbed a potato chunk with his fork, thinking it's Dudley's face. "Besides, I don't have a lot of time for myself as I have all the chores to do around the house. It's rare for me to be able to read too."

Draco shook his head in disbelief, really asking himself why Harry is even living with these muggles and not an adoptive family where they would love him like a real son. This was just so depressing to hear and he was really questioning Harry's mental health and well being. "May I ask if you're alright, Harry?" he asked softly as he knew how bad abuse could affect your mental health.

Harry frowned down at his curry and played with his food. He really didn't know how to reply to that because, well, was he okay? Sure, the Dursleys were really mean and punished him in hurtful ways if he did something wrong like burn the breakfast. Well, Uncle Vernon was the one to hurt him physically. Dudley punched him a few times, but he could deal with that. Aunt Petunia mainly screeched at him to do the dishes or clean up the table.

Draco reached over and placed his hand gently on Harry's which lay rested on the table. "Hey..." he said sadly as he saw how deep in thought Harry was. "Do you want to talk about anything in particular?"

"Not right now," Harry said quietly. Just the feeling of Draco's hand on his really chased away the overwhelming dark feelings. He felt pretty tired right now and thought that perhaps he could catch up on some sleep. "I think I'm going to head off to bed early," he said as he stood up from the seat and hauled his legs over.

"Want me to come with?" Draco asked and rubbed at his face as he was quite worried about this young Gryffindor. He'd like to escort Harry back to the Silver Sables house just to make sure he gets there safely. Merlin, if something happens to this boy...

"If you want," Harry mumbled sadly and turned around to leave the building.

Draco hopped up from the seat and quickly followed Harry out of the dining hall. He looked deeply into those green eyes that looked to the floor and frowned himself. What was Harry Potter hiding deep inside? He swore if he hears that Harry's relatives abuse him badly, he'll literally owl in some Aurors or whatever muggles use to capture baddies and lock them up in a secure prison.

It was a quiet walk down to the house; the night was cold and they both wrapped their arms tightly around themselves. Draco smiled as he saw Daisy running around at full speed chasing whatever the little pup was seeing that he and Harry couldn't. It was probably a squirrel or some little animal that made puppies go crazy and chase after.

It was funny, watching the pup chase something around in the darkness of the night. Daisy was the first-ever dog he's seen in his whole life. He has only seen a Crup once or twice when he was younger but that was it. His father isn't too fond of animals running around the manor, hell, he'd probably burn it down to the ground if there was a puppy running loose in it. He laughed on the inside at the fought of Daisy chasing his father down one of the Malfoy Manor's hallways. The frightened look on his father's face, oh, he'd just love to see that.

By the time they made it to the Silver Sables house, Harry had already gone through the front doors as he was eager for an escape to be alone. Draco, however, watched the Gryffindor disappear out of sight. He followed Harry through the house and up the stairs, staying at least a few feet away from him as he could see the distant look on the boy's face. It was concerning at most. The boy beside him looked quite... depressed. Almost broken. But he just hoped that wasn't the case. He hoped the apparent abuse Harry gets from his relatives wouldn't affect him terribly to the point where the Gryffindor would think differently of life and think that there's no point. But there was a point in life. It was to live life to the fullest, enjoy every little day and night that you could possibly have. To explore the wonders of the world. The seven wonders, if you could.

Harry opened the door to his bedroom on the second floor. He wanted to be surrounded by the walls that would keep him away from the world. The walls that would protect him from anything bad that could happen on the outside. It was his safe place. Any bedroom he was given kept him in his owl world far away from the danger that could force its way through. Hell, it would possibly even keep him away from Voldemort.

Draco watched as Harry walked into the room without hesitation. Merlin, the boy really needed to be alone as it seemed. He sighed as he really wanted that evening hug and to smell that beautiful scent of Pine in the Gryffindor's hair again. But if Harry wanted to be alone, that is what he will give him.

"Good night, Harry," he said with a small yawn. He thought he could hear a "Good night," come from inside the bedroom that Harry was in. He smiled at the answer as he walked into his own room for the night and shut the door behind him.

He collapsed onto his white quilted bed with a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. Today was a great day, he thought. I wonder what tomorrow will hold. He closed his eyes and listened to the crickets chirping their songs outside in the grass and shrubs surrounding the place. He nearly drifted off into sleep just then but quickly opened his eyes and got up off his bed to gather his pyjamas and head to the bathroom.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled. His white teeth almost shinning in the bathroom light. His perfect styled hair – which Harry thinks he shouldn't style – was, of course, styled back like last year. He ran his hand through his hair and actually messed it up. He chuckled at how perfect it still looked when out of shape. This was what Pureblood breeding does for you. Perfect styled hair even if you don't use hair gel. He turned away from the mirror and had a shower.

He exited the bathroom after the shower feeling all fresh and hopped into bed. He snuggled under the warm white sheets and Doona and just lay there, really thinking about how Harry deals with everything. As he closed his eyes, he pictured emerald green eyes and smiled as he fell into a deep sleep.