never let me go

tension

I can't believe this has jumped to 1.7K reads! Thank you to everyone who has voted and commented, it really means a lot. This is the last fluffy chapter for a while, it'll be pretty angsty for the next few chapters over the climax of the story, but trust me, there's still a happy ending! xx

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Matt Corby – Miracle Love

"So much love that I was blind to

I made my mistakes

And you put them all behind you."

When Draco woke, he immediately reached out to the other side of the bed but found it empty. Bleary eyed, he lifted his head and looked around the room.

"You're up," said Harry from by the fireplace. He got up and walked over to Draco's bedside, taking a seat and brushing Draco's hair out of his eyes. Draco caught his hand and kissed the back of it, then held it against his chest.

"How long was I out?"

Harry checked his watch. "It's 4pm." Draco's eyes widened. "I was starting to get a little worried, and I was going to take you Madam Promfrey if you didn't wake up by tonight. Good thing you did, otherwise I would've had to go to drinks tonight without a date."

"I thought we were keeping it a secret for now."

"We are. But I'm going to think of you as my date," Harry said with a mischievous grin. Draco thought he looked gorgeous in the soft bedroom light and pulled him down to kiss him.

"I would happily be your secret date," he said.

Harry laughed and gave him another peck, his hand cupping Draco's cheek. Draco realised there was no more pain in his lip and cheek, and that Harry must've healed his face. Harry noticed the shift in Draco's face, and asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to you."

"Good. 'Cause we've got to get ready to go out."

Harry got up, and Draco slowly sat upright. "Don't you want to tell McGonagall about those Slytherins?"

"We can tell her tomorrow. You just spent a whole day recovering, and I think that going out will do you some good as well. We don't need to worry about that right now."

"I'm surprised you didn't go this morning."

"I didn't want to leave you in case you woke up."

"Oh." Harry offered him a hand and pulled Draco out of bed.

"Come on, have a shower and get dressed."

A couple hours passed and Harry and Draco had gotten ready and eaten something, and were now joining Ron, Hermione and Neville on their way to Hogsmeade. Draco had to keep reminding himself not to take Harry's hand as they walked next to each other, but Harry smiled at him like he knew what he was thinking. He slowed down their pace slightly so they fell behind the others, and Harry reached over and gave Draco's hand a squeeze. Draco smiled at him and he saw that mischievous glint in Harry's eye.

The night progressed much the same. Harry and Draco would sneak touches under the table, or when they would go up to the bar together. The others seemed oblivious, and Draco was living for it. The more butterbeers that flowed, the livelier the group got, and Draco found himself actively engaging in everyone's conversation. He was starting to feel like he belonged, and it made him swell with warmth and pride. Especially as he watched Harry laughing at something Ron said, and thought how stunningly perfect he was, from his smile to his hair to his strikingly green eyes. When they all took a shot of firewhiskey and Draco noticed the flush that crept into Harry's cheeks, he pulled him by the arm away and towards the bar.

"Where are we going? We've still got drinks," Harry said.

"I know." Draco pulled him around the other side of the bar, out of sight of their friends and out the door that led to a small courtyard outside. He led him down the nearby cobblestoned alleyway until his found a shadowy spot and pushed Harry against the wall before descending on him.

He kissed him deeply, hands clutching at his shirt, and Harry responded immediately. Draco tugged at his waist, pulling him closer, and felt Harry arch into him. Harry's fingers were in Draco's hair, tugging at the stands, until Harry pulled away and flipped them in a heartbeat, so that Draco was against the wall.

"Didn't realise you wanted a snog so bad," Harry said, his voice rough.

"Shut up."

Draco captured his mouth again, wanting to taste him. But Harry's kisses moved past his mouth, along his jaw and down his neck. Draco tilted his head back to give him better access, and when Harry found his sweet spot just above his collarbone, he couldn't help the noise that escaped his lips. Harry suckled and nipped at it torturously, and when Draco couldn't take it anymore, he pulled Harry's face back up to his, recapturing his lips.

Draco relished the feel of Harry's body against his, and he wanted more, but Harry pulled back as though he too knew they were reaching the limits of what they could do in an alleyway. They both panted, still holding onto each other. Draco saw Harry's gaze flick up to his hair.

"You look like a mess," he said with a laugh.

"Sod off, Potter."

Harry laughed, and kissed him again briefly. Draco reached up to fix his hair. "It's fine, really. You should head back inside," Harry said, stepping back.

"What about you?"

"I'll be just a minute."

Harry did look like he was still catching his breath after Draco had jumped him, and he was giving Draco a lazy grin that made his heart flutter. With a squeeze of his hand, Draco left him and headed back inside.