As tremors raked through Draco's body, he couldn't tell if he was shaking due to the loud rumble of thunder, or if it was due to his increasing levels of anxiety. The task should've been simple, really. Afterall, he's been doing it for years, hasn't he? There was a lot more at stake this year however, and he was reminded of that with every look directed his way, accompanied by the whisper of his name.

Draco didn't know if he preferred the looks of malice, disgust, or pity. He deserved them all, and briefly wondered if he should just apparate back to The Manor. Why had he refused the offer of Harry's invisibility cloak again? Truthfully, he was trying to be a good boyfriend, knowing that Harry needed it more. Both men agreed not to use it however, as they knew they would have to face the music eventually.

"Why did I agree to ride this infernal train one last time?", Draco asked himself, narrowly dodging a sharp elbow angled in his direction.

"How's Father dearest, Malfoy?", someone sneered next to him.

"Exactly where he should be", Draco replied coolly, finally getting onto the train.

The person hadn't expected that kind of response from him, and looked to their friends in confusion. When they finally turned back to where Malfoy had been, he was gone.

Boarding the train, Draco was the picture of confidence. The Malfoy mask had slipped back into place, and the only telltale sign of his nervousness was the slight shake of his hands. As he walked towards the back of the train, the volume either increased or decreased depending on the house and year of the students he was passing, and he was fighting to keep his face impassive.

Suddenly, he feels a featherlight squeeze on his arm, and sighs inaudibly in relief, the tension leaving his body slightly. The hand guided him carefully towards one of the train cars, and as soon as the door was closed, Draco pounced on Harry, ripping the cloak off and connecting their lips.

"I missed you too", Harry whispered against Draco's lips.

Draco pulled back, resting his forehead against Harry's briefly, before collapsing on the seat next to the window.

"Are you okay sweetheart?", Harry asked quietly.

He watched as Draco pulled out his wand and cast advanced silencing charms, as well as a locking charm.

"I don't know if I can do this Scarhead. I'm a coward. Everyone is looking at me, whether it be in pity, or hatred, or some other charged emotion. I don't know how you lived like this for so long. Thank you for coming to find me."

"I didn't want you walking alone in the first place, you're just a stubborn git. Correction, you're my stubborn git", Harry declared, emphasizing the word my, as he sat next to his Draco. "I'm not letting you go through this alone Draco. You have my endless love and support. If after a week you decide you're not ready to be back at Hogwarts, we'll leave."

"You would drop everything, just like that, for me?"

"Draco, I love you. I would do anything for you. I promise you that everything will be okay. I won't let you out of my sight."

"Okay", Draco agreed, rolling his shoulders to relieve some of the tension.

"Let me help."

Harry's hands were magical, but Draco knew that already of course. So were his lips, and Draco was reminded of just that when Harry placed small, electrifying kisses on Draco's neck and shoulders. Once Harry was done, Draco leaned back into his embrace, finally feeling at peace, until a series of alternating short and long knocks ruined the blissful silence. He sighed, recognizing their code, and kissed Harry one last time before unlocking the door and putting some distance between himself and Harry.

Blaise entered the car, with Pansy appearing a few minutes later. They shared their experiences of their journeys, including the walk to their train car. Blaise made it through with little to no issues, but Pansy was wringing her hands anxiously. They had not forgotten that she wanted their savior grabbed and handed over to Voldemort.

Harry moved from his spot next to Draco to the opposite bench, and grabbed her hand, whispering soft words of comfort into her ear. With tears of gratitude in his eyes, she hugged him fiercely, both Blaise and Draco giving him thankful looks.

She whispered something teasingly into his ear, and with a quiet chuckle, Harry went back to his seat next to Draco, much to Draco's relief. Draco was anxiously twisting the ring around his finger, and Harry absentmindedly ran his hand over his chest, pressing his ring on the chain closer to him. The movement made Draco feel a bit better, knowing that Harry was wearing the ring.

The next to arrive was Neville, who slipped into the car rather quickly. Pansy moved over so he could sit next to Blaise, and was now sitting across from Draco, playfully putting her legs onto his lap.

"Do you really think things are going to be okay?", she asked quietly, once the train started moving.

"Yes", Harry and Neville answered in agreement.

The resounding response was enough to temporarily calm her nerves.

"Where's Weaslette?", Draco asked, a few minutes later when the silence was too much.

"She's with Luna. They'll come visit us later. Didn't want to draw too much attention to the car."

With his forehead against the damp window, Draco shivered. Noticing immediately, Harry slipped off his hoodie and gave it Draco.

"Thanks Harry", he responded quietly, slipping it on.

It felt like a warm hug, and that was exactly what he needed. Normally, Pansy and Blaise would have teased him about the gesture, but they could see how upset Draco was, so they ignored it. Their best friend needed the support, and they wouldn't say anything to jeopardize that.

Draco closed his eyes and tried to ignore the world around him. Lightly, Harry placed his pinky finger against Draco's so they could talk. Immediately, he felt Draco's finger wrap around his, concealed by the hoodie sleeves.

"Did you want to sleep on my shoulder sweetheart?"

"I don't want them to suspect anything. I'll be okay darling, thank you."

"Of course."

Harry leaned back, keeping his eyes closed, and the group sat in silence for a few moments.

"I take it none of us slept well then?", Blaise asked.

"Not at all. Everyone kept throwing themselves at me as I tried to board. I can't imagine actually getting back to Hogwarts."

"Welcome to my life", Harry replied with a snort.

"Salazar Draco, how the hell are you leaning against the window? My teeth keep smashing together. It's bloody uncomfortable", Pansy complained.

"Very uncomfortably."

"Swap with me."

"Harry-"

"Stop being stubborn, move your arse."

"Yeah Draco, move that boney arse of yours", Pansy teased. "Loverboy has you."

"Why don't you let him sleep on your shoulder?", Blaise suggested.

Draco had to give Harry credit where it was due. Harry looked as if the idea had just dawned on him. Wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around Draco's waist and lifted him onto his lap. Harry moved the both of them to the other side of the bench, and leaned back against the wall so that Draco was laying in between his legs, back against his chest.

"Better?", Neville teased.

"Neville looks uncomfortable over there too Blaise, maybe you should do something about it", Draco remarked airily.

"Maybe I will", he retorted.

Draco didn't care honestly. He was going to sleep away his problems. They always melted away when Harry's arms were around him. He brushed his hand over Harry's so he could give him one last message before he fell asleep.

"I love you."

"And I love you."

As Draco drifted off, Harry held him securely. He summoned some parchment and used his wand to transfer his thoughts to the parchment.

"We can sleep in shifts if you want? I'll take first watch."

"That's fine by me", Pansy agreed quietly.

Harry felt a bit bad for Blaise, who was seated in the middle, and had Neville leaning on one shoulder and Pansy on the other. He didn't seem to mind though, instead embracing both Neville and Pansy. He supposed Draco normally leaned on the other shoulder as opposed to Neville. It was a nice sight, and for the first time since waking up this morning, Harry felt a sense of calm wash over him. His Draco tended to have that effect on him.

Merlin, it was his Draco. Harry couldn't believe how much he had come to love and care for the blonde man in his arms. In some ways, the feelings he had for Draco scared him, but Harry knew they were reciprocated.

In all honesty, he was more worried about Draco's return to Hogwarts than his own. Harry swore he would never let Draco out of his sight. He knew firsthand how cruel people could be, and how quickly they could turn against you. Draco may have done some bad things in his past, but once you get past that harsh exterior, he was so kind and loving.

The same went to the rest of the Slytherins he had encountered. They were nothing like he had been convinced they were. After being fed prejudice after prejudice, he wished he had seen the light sooner. This was just another way in which Harry had been a pawn.

Everyone would be safe and at the bare minimum tolerate each other. Harry would make sure of that. No one was going to hurt his friends on his watch.

Draco woke up an hour later to find Harry tracing indistinguishable patterns on his stomach and side. Opening an eye, he noticed everyone else was still asleep. Removing one of his hands from where Harry had been holding it, he tilted his head back and pulled Harry's chin so that he could press his lips against Harry's.

"If you keep doing things like this we're going to get caught", Harry murmured.

"I don't see you stopping me."

"I've yet to find a better use for your lips than when they're pressed against mine", Harry teased, nipping softly at Draco's lip.

"I'm sure we can explore some new uses later in our room", Draco purred.

"I like the sound of that", Harry replied, kissing Draco quickly one last time before he pulled Draco tighter into his arms.

"What're you doing?"

"I've been watching everyone else sleep for over an hour. I just want some cuddles with my favorite person."

"You want to trade kissing for cuddling?", Draco asked quietly, confusion present in his quiet voice.

"I don't want to get caught, and you my sweetheart are very enticing. Especially when you do that pouty thing that you know I can't resist. I can't just kiss you once. Every time I see you, I just want to show you how much I love you."

"Sit up", Draco demanded.

"Excuse me?"

"Will you stop asking questions and listen to me for once?", Draco huffed irritably.

Rolling his eyes he did as told, and was surprised when Draco straddled his hips with a wicked grin.

"Now that's more like it."

Pinning Harry's hands above his head with one hand, Draco used the other to retrieve the invisibility cloak and wrap it around himself. Once he was covered, he then cast a silencing charm before brutally kissing Harry.

"What're you doing?", Harry asked breathlessly in between kisses.

"You can't just say things like that to me and not expect to get snogged. Merlin, I love you Harry."

"I love you Draco."

Harry indulged Draco's kissing for a minute, his judgement clouded by everything that was his partner. Finally regaining some sense, be gently pushed Draco back.

"Gods, Draco what has gotten into you?"

"Nothing yet, sadly."

Snorting, Harry turned them back to their original cuddling position.

"We have time for all of that, my beautiful boy. Right now you need to behave for once in your life."

"Do I get a reward if I do?", Draco asked, lip caught between his teeth.

"I can think of a few", Harry agreed.

With a happy hum, Draco settled back into his Harry. He was lucky that Harry continued to put up with him and his antics. Draco knew he was a demanding drama queen at times, but Harry handled him with ease, and he couldn't be more appreciative. All Draco could do is pray that their relationship would continue to remain this strong.