Listen to the song if you want the full experience^^^^

Ron laughed as Harry desperately tried to convince him.

"Seriously, it's like Malfoy's in love with me!" he cried out.

Ron rolled his eyes. "You're not serious."

"Swear on my life," Harry replied, a smile still present on his face.

Ron's smile, however, dropped immediately, and he started stuttering, eyes wide.

Harry whipped around, expecting to see someone behind him, listening. When no one was there, he turned back to Ron, confusion scribbled all over his face.

"What?"

Ron couldn't seem to think properly. He was still gasping, his face utterly horrified.

"No- Harry- after everything- you can't- not now-"

"Ron!" Harry shook his shoulders. "Mate, what is it?"

Ron's hands fell away from his face as tears seemed to gather in his eyes. His voice was shaky and soft as he spoke.

"Harry, you swore on your life."

Harry blinked. "Yeah. It's an expression. Don't worry, Ron! Is that it?" He laughed easily. "Malfoy's not really in love with me, I was fucking around. Christ, if I'd known you'd take it so seriously-"

"Harry, you're not- you're not understanding. You swore on your life."

Harry blinked several times. "Mate, you're wacked outta your mind."

Ron couldn't seem to form complete sentences. Hermione chose this moment to walk into the room, and stared at her boyfriend in worry.

"Ron? You okay?" she murmured.

"Swore on his life-" Ron sputtered out, seeming to be having a panic attack of sorts. 

Hermione rounded on Harry immediately. "What did you say?"

Harry frowned, not understanding everyone's problem. "We were talking about Malfoy, and I was saying how obsessed he used to be with me, and how he stares at me in class now, and I was joking around and said 'really, he's like in love with me, I swear on my life' and now Ron's being dramatic."

With every word, Hermione's face drained of color more and more, until his final statement, where she nearly collapsed.

"Harry, you fucking idiot," she gasped.

"What?" Harry asked irritably.

"Harry, you're in the damn Wizarding World, didn't you think things like swearing on your life would take an effect? Very rarely are expressions just expressions here, and that is not an expression." Hermione's voice was getting angrier and angrier and more upset.

It finally clicked in Harry's head. "You mean..."

"I mean, if Draco Malfoy isn't in love with you within the next twenty-four hours, you'll be dead, Harry."

*******************************

After wasting one of his twenty-four hours having a panic attack, Harry set off to find Draco.

It didn't take long. His white-blonde hair was easily noticeable from across the Great Hall. Harry dashed over to the Slytherin table.

Zabini and Parkinson frowned coldly as he approached, but said nothing. Draco, however, looked up, confused.

"Potter?"

"Can I talk to you, please?" Harry's voice was tight.

Draco frowned, before nodding and standing up, following Harry out of the Great Hall.

"Potter, are you oka-"

Harry kissed him.

He pushed Draco fucking Malfoy against the wall right next to the Great Hall doors and kissed him.

It wasn't bad, but Draco wasn't kissing back, probably because Harry ambushed him.

Draco gaped at him when Harry pulled away.

"The fuck?" he asked.

"Draco, I'm in love with you," Harry said in a rush.

Draco's mouth fell open, and he stared at Harry for several seconds.

If Harry wasn't already going to die, he would have died right then of embarrassment.

"You're-you're-"

"In love with you, Draco Malfoy. Have been since sixth year." The lies slipped off his tongue far too easily.

Draco stared at him for another few minutes, before finally closing his mouth. "You're fucking with me."

"Why would I kiss you just to fuck with you?"

Draco seemed to consider this, before his eyes turned back to Harry. "You're serious?"

"Yes."

Draco broke into a smile.

"Well, I'm not that far gone, but I have had a crush on you for a while."

Harry's heart twisted horribly. This was so fucked up. He had lied to Draco, told him he loved him, and now Draco had confessed that he liked Harry, and that fucking meant Harry was going to die because Draco wasn't in love with him, and now Draco had a crush on him and Harry was going to die in twenty-three hours.

"Oh," he squeaked softly.

Draco smiled shyly. "Can I kiss you again?"

Harry found himself nodding numbly, and responded to the kiss when Draco kissed him, but his mind was a thousand miles away. 

I'm going to die I'm going to die I'm going to-

"Harry?" Draco's expression was worried, and Harry realized he had never heard Draco say his name before. It was pleasant rolling off the blonde's tongue.

And then Harry came to a realization.

Had he had more time in the world, was he not going to die in less than a day, he could have genuinely liked Draco back.

"I can't do this," he whispered.

"Harry?"

"I can't do this, Draco, I'm sorry," he turned to run, but a pale hand caught his wrist and jerked him back to face Draco.

Grey eyes searched his worriedly. "Harry. Tell me what's wrong. I can help you."

"Yes , you could have, but now the chance is gone," Harry murmured, panicking again.

"Harry." The word was said so firmly, with so much conviction, that Harry's whole being centered around the owner of the voice immediately, his body immediately relaxing. "Tell me what's wrong. I can help you. I swear, I will do anything to help you. Please, just tell me what it is."

"Can we go outside?" Harry asked. The castle was too small, too enclosed, too many walls and ceilings and concrete parts that made him feel like he was suffocating.

"Of course." Draco intertwined their fingers, gently pulling Harry along with him until they were outside walking.

"Harry, what's going on?"

"Can I tell you in about twenty-two hours?" Harry asked.

Draco frowned, and tilted his head. "If that's how much time you need, then that's okay. I'll support you through whatever's going on."

"Don't worry," Harry said, laughing bitterly. "You won't have to support me through it for very long."

Draco frowned at the odd statement, but his face brightened when Harry suggested they play a Seeker's game of Quidditch.

Soon enough, they reached the Quidditch pitch. Draco released the Golden Snitch into the air, and after a moment, both boys took off.

Harry smiled in exhilaration at the wind whipping through his hair, the gorgeous blonde flashing him smiles before darting after flashes of gold, the sense of flying, of freedom, of escape.

His smile faded when he remembered this would be the last time he would ever fly.

Draco didn't seem to notice Harry's sudden change in mood, and shouted happily as his fingers wrapped around glittering gold.

Great. I didn't even win my last game.

Harry plastered a smile on his face, before a shooting pain went through his heart and he slumped sideways off his broom.

He vaguely registered a shout, and then suddenly he hit something too soft to be ground. He opened his eyes to see Draco had caught him, and tumbled to the ground in the process.

"You saved me," he murmured.

"Maybe we're even now, huh?" Draco asked, grinning and standing up, holding out a hand to Harry.

Harry took the hand without hesitation, pulling himself up and smiling. 

Draco showed him the Snitch in his palm.

"I'm proud of you," Harry said, and found that he genuinely meant it.

Draco's smile grew brighter, and he softly kissed Harry.

This was the first one that actually affected Harry. The sweetness of Draco's mouth and the softness of the kiss was pure bliss, and Harry found himself smiling against Draco's lips, despite the crumbling of his own world around him.

When they finally pulled away, both boys were smiling softly, and Harry forgot about the pain that had shot through his heart a moment earlier.

"What time is it?" he asked.

Draco cast a Tempus charm. "Half past ten. Why?"

"No reason. Wanna get something to eat?"

Draco agreed.

Twenty-two hours left, Harry thought as him and Draco walked towards Hogsmeade in the middle of the night.

**************************************

"Seriously? You were almost put  in Slytherin?" Draco laughed before he sipped his Butterbeer. "Damn, I wish you had gotten sorted there. We would have been fantastic friends."

"I would have never been friends with Ron and Hermione, and Parkinson would have eaten me alive in two minutes," Harry replied easily, grinning back at the boy from across the table.

Twenty-one hours left, his brain reminded him, as a horrible, sharp pain went through his heart.

Shut up, Harry replied, keeping his face from showing his pain at the sudden come-and-go of the stabbing pain.

"She wouldn't have. Slytherins are exceptionally loyal. If anything, the only change would be that you and me would have started dating sooner, and all the Slytherins would have been on the light side during the war," Draco commented.

"Are we dating?" Harry asked in a teasing voice, pushing back the thought in the back of his head that they wouldn't be dating for long.

Draco immediately looked nervous. "Am I going too fast?"

"Draco, I confessed my love to you outside the Great Hall. You're not going too fast."

Draco burst into laughter at that. 

"Harry Potter is my boyfriend," he murmured, smiling. "Never woulda thought."

"I love the sound of you calling me your boyfriend," Harry replied honestly.

Draco smiled brighter. "I shall call you it at every possible opportunity."

Every possible opportunity in the next twenty-one hours, his brain helpfully supplied.

Shut the fuck up, Harry replied.

"Speaking of the Slytherins, we should head back. Do you wanna come to my Common Room? We usually hang out and chill. The others won't mind."

Harry considered it for a moment, before deciding he didn't want to be in Gryffindor Tower with Ron and Hermione staring at him sadly. He wanted to enjoy his last hours with someone who didn't know, who was so happy right now.

"Okay," he agreed.

**************************

The second Harry walked into the Slytherin Common Room, a pain, worse than before, shot through his heart, and he stumbled forward, only to be caught by Draco.

"Careful," Draco chuckled, tugging him along.

Harry plastered a smile on his face, ignoring the whisper of twenty hours in the back of his mind.

"Welcome to the snake pit, Harry Potter," Pansy's smooth voice met his ears. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the dungeons, he saw Pansy and Blaise relaxed in armchairs, giving him curious looks.

Draco dropped gracefully on one of the chairs, tugging on Harry's hand and causing him to fall in his lap. Both boys giggled softly, and Harry saw Pansy's eyes widen with realization. Blaise just smirked.

"So our Slytherin Prince has finally caught the Gryffindor Golden Boy," she murmured.

"It would appear so," Harry whispered, smiling up at his boyfriend.

************************************

Harry awoke to a sharp pain in his head and the sound of twelve hours ringing through his head.

He stared at the sleeping boy next to him.

Draco looked angelic. His pale blonde hair looked like a stunning halo around his head, giving him a pure, beautiful look. His face was soft, innocent. 

Harry was struck with the horrifyingly painful thought that this was the only time he would ever be able to wake up next to Draco. To see Draco like this.

He wished he hadn't said that stupid thing, because now more than anything, he wanted to be able to fall in love with Draco. To spend every day with him.

Harry wiped away tears that had suddenly decided to escape his eyes, but it didn't stop. They kept falling, and he silently cried next to his sleeping boyfriend.

Arms wrapped around him, and Harry didn't have to turn his head to know who it was.

"You'll be okay, Harry," Pansy murmured. "I don't know what's going on, but you'll get through this, I swear. We'll stand by you. Forever."

"There's no forever to stand by, Pansy," Harry whispered.

Pansy tugged him onto the bed next to Draco's, which Harry assumed was hers, and sat him down. She sat next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"I know we haven't ever been close, Harry, but I've changed and you've changed and the world has changed. I will listen to you, if you wish to tell me what's wrong."

"I did something stupid and irreversible and in twelve hours, I'm going to die, Pansy." The words fell out of Harry's mouth in a stuttering blur.

Her sharp intake of breath only made him cry harder.

"Oh. Harry," she whispered softly, hugging him tightly. "God, Harry, I'm so sorry."

She didn't ask for details, didn't ask him to elaborate or tell Draco or do anything. She just hugged him and let him cry.

"I don't want to die, Pansy. There was a time, during the war, where I was willing to die, but... Not now. After everything, I don't want to die. I had a life I could have lived. I want to live. I want to have a future where I can smile and the war, instead of nightmares, will just be a memory. I want a future where I can love Draco. I want a future where I can get to know you, and where I can bridge the gap between our school and Slytherins. I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to change the world."

"You have changed the world Harry. You saved it. You have been a teacher. You taught dozens of students to protect themselves when no one else would. You have bridged the gap. You forgave all the Slytherins. You do know me. You are willing to open up to me, after everything. You have lived your life, and you will continue to live it, if only for a day. The war is a memory. You do smile, I saw it. You smiled a thousand times at Draco last night, which brings me to my final point. I think you already love Draco."

Harry didn't even argue. He just dropped his head and continued to cry, and Pansy continued to hold him.

*****************************

I'm putting the song here because i  realized this story is too long to read in the four minute span of the song so you can restart the song here

Ten hours, Harry's brain helpfully supplied as he walked to breakfast with Draco, thankful for the spell Pansy had cast to erase all traces of crying.

He didn't have the energy to respond with shut up.

Draco smiled brightly as he sat down, and Harry smacked a smile on his own face as he joined him. Blaise looked up with a smile, and Pansy matched it, although it was a bit off.

Suddenly, a redhead and a brunette sat down at the Slytherin table.

Ron smiled quietly before starting to eat.

"Morning, all," Hermione said softly. "I was wondering if you all would be interested in a picnic for lunch, by the Great Lake."

Pansy glanced at Hermione, and Harry could see the realization they both had that the other knew.

"Okay," Pansy agreed. Harry nodded, and Draco and Blaise, after a moment, agreed as well.

"Wonderful." Hermione started making herself a plate, and Harry tried his best not to cry when she linked her ankle around his under the table.

********************************

Five hours, Harry brain whispered as he sat on the blanket Hermione had set down, his fingers interlocked with Draco's.

Shut up, Harry thought back angrily.

"I think we should go in a circle and say something we like about each other," Hermione said brightly. "We'll start with everyone saying something they like about Harry."

"He's incredibly brave, and would do anything for those close to him, no matter the cost," Pansy said immediately.

"He's beautiful inside and out, and he's an incredible person," Draco added.

"He's willing to stand up for anyone, even Slytherins, and gives second chances, even to those who don't deserve them," Blaise murmured.

"He was my first real friend, who didn't care that I had dirt on my nose and no money and nothing but a sandwich. He's generous and amazing, and I love you, Harry," Ron said softly, hugging Harry with one arm.

Harry blinked back tears.

"Harry Potter will live on forever, as the most incredible person who's ever lived. Selfless, brave, and a wonderful friend," Hermione finished.

They moved onto the others, and Harry pitched in, but his head rang with the subtle goodbye messages of his friends.

***********************************************

The worst pain shot through Harry's heart, physically knocking him over as he reached the Gryffindor Tower portrait. 

One hour, his brain helpfully supplied.

"Shut up," he whispered aloud as he stood. "Shut up."

"Excuse me?" the Fat Lady asked indignantly.

"Not you, my apologies," Harry said hastily. "Peace."

She huffed, and the portrait swung open.

Hermione stood as Harry entered the room, and and nearly knocked him over with the force of her hug. 

“I love you,” she whispered. “Never forget that.”

“I could never,” Harry assured her. “I love you too.”

She backed away, and Ron took her place, hugging Harry tightly. 

“Why did you have to be so stupid?” he murmured. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Ron.”

“I’ll take care of her.”

“Take care of yourself too. Hermione’s tough. You don’t need to spend all your time protecting her.”

Ron nodded, hugging him one more time before backing away. 

Hermione seemed to be physically restraining herself from hugging him again. 

Harry saved her this internal struggle by pulling her forward and hugging her again. 

“I just- after everything we’ve been through-“ she choked out. “I keep thinking that maybe Draco will fall in love with you, and you’ll come back in here alive and okay.”

“Harry, promise me that if you do make it out of this, you will come back immediately,” Ron whispered. 

“Eight thirty-two pm,” Harry recited. “If I’m not back by eight forty, please tell McGonagall what happened, assuming you’re in an okay state of mind to do so. If not, you don’t have to.”

“Shut up, Harry,” Hermione whispered into his chest. Ron nodded, blinking hard. 

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Harry whispered. 

Hermione backed away, wiping her eyes. “Just remember we love you.”

“I love you too,” Harry whispered, and then he left the Tower. 

“Where are you going?” the Fat Lady asked. 

He turned. “Thank you for protecting our students all these years. I am forever grateful for your services.”

She seemed surprised at his statement. “Harry, dear, whatever is this all for?”

Harry laughed slightly, ignoring his stinging eyes. “Ever heard the phrase famous last words?”

Before she could respond, he was gone. 

He went down to the Slytherin dorms, and hugged Pansy tightly. 

“I’m sorry about what I said during the war,” she whispered. “I never wanted you dead.”

“I know,” he whispered back. 

“Tell him, Harry,” she whispered. “Please. Tell him before it’s too late. You might have a chance.”

Harry didn’t respond, simply hugged her tighter. 

Ten minutes, his brain whispered as he approached Draco on the Quidditch Pitch where they had planned. 

Draco was smiling as Harry approached, but it faded as Harry go closer. 

“What’s wrong?”

“Sit down, Draco.”

Draco’s worries eyes followed him as he obeyed and Harry sat in front of him. 

“Draco, I’m dying.”

He ignored the sharp intake of breath, and told Draco the whole story. 

Two minutes, his brain whispered when he finished. 

“You never loved me?” Draco asked softly. Then, louder, “When are you going to die? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t love you when I said I did, but I do now.”

Draco continued to wait for the answer to his second question. 

“I didn’t tell you sooner because I didn’t want you to worry about it and suffer.”

Draco’s eyes seemed to widen. “Harry, no.”

Harry looked at the ground. 

“Harry, no,” Draco whispered. His voice was pleading, begging Harry to tell him he was wrong. 

“Eight thirty-two,” Harry whispered. 

“Harry,” Draco choked out, caring a weak Tempus. “That’s in two minutes.”

“I know.”

Tears spilled down Draco’s face. 

“I’m sorry, Draco. I’m sorry I dragged you into this, I could have left you alone for the twenty-four hours, but I had to hope. I shouldn’t have. I just have accepted it.”

Draco was shaking his head faster, gasping sobs bursting from his lips. 

“I’m sorry, Draco,” Harry whispered, his voice breaking as tears of his own started falling. 

“You can’t die,” Draco replied, crying. “You can’t. I want a day where I loved you back.”

“Me too,” Harry whispered. 

“Please don’t die, Harry,” Draco murmured through tears. “Please. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Fly, Draco. You’ll fly and you’ll show the world who you are.”

“I’m nothing without Harry Potter by my side.”

“You’re everything, Draco, with or without me.”

Thirty seconds. 

Draco just shook his head, pulling Harry close and hugging him. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t fall in love with you.”

“That was never your fault.”

Draco pulled back, tears spilling down his cheeks faster now. 

Twenty seconds. 

Harry tugged him forward, kissing him one last time. 

Something in the back of his mind whispered about the fact that both his first and last kisses had been soaked with tears, but Harry never registered it. 

“I feel like this is the moment where I’m supposed to say I love you and the movie ends with you being okay and happily ever after,” Draco whispered. 

“It was never going to be that way for me.”

Five seconds. 

Draco blinked hard, tears falling as Harry’s heart burned worse and worse. 

“I love you, Draco.”

“I love you too, Harry.”

But Harry knew he didn’t mean it, and he gasped at the pain grew sharper and sharper until there was nothing at all. 

At eight forty-five, Hermione broke down in the middle of the Gryffindor Common Room. 

At eight fifty, Headmistress McGonagall got a letter that made her scream in despair and collapse back into her chair. 

Draco stayed on the Quidditch Pitch crying until sunrise, when a tear-soaked Pansy dragged him to the Slytherin dorms.