{A/N: hello my lovelies, in regards to an update schedule I'm going to be doing my best to update every other day. Updating everyday was stressful at times and I really want to focus on putting out my best work.

Reminder that shared thoughts due to the potion are in bold. Enjoy! ~J}

The next time that Draco awoke, he knew that Harry was asleep beneath him before his eyes even opened. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as Harry had fallen asleep with his hands placed right over Draco's, on Draco's stomach. This was just another way in which Harry showed his love.

Merlin, his love. If you had told Draco Malfoy that Harry Potter, his enemy, to crush, to friend, to partner would be in love with him, he would've thought you were crucioed to madness. This was reality though. His Harry was in love with him, and Draco fell in love with Harry right back. He couldn't have asked for a more loving and supportive partner.

Draco had not only returned to Hogwarts for himself, but also for Harry. He knew there were more challenges than anything else ahead, but this was something that had to be done. Even if Draco was cursing his newfound "Gryffindor bravery" as he had deemed it.

Opening his eyes, Draco turned his head to see Pansy and Blaise still asleep, but Neville was awake and flipping through a book on plants.

"Did you want to go back to sleep and I can take the next watch?", Draco asked.

Neville picked his head up quickly, but then relaxed, seeing that it was only Draco.

"I'm going to stay awake, thanks Malfoy. Besides, you're very... preoccupied at the moment", Neville replied, a small smile playing at the edges of his mouth.

"He likes to cuddle. I don't mind."

"I bet you don't", Neville teased. "Does this happen a lot?"

"More than I would admit to anyone but you."

"Why is that?", Neville asked curiously, closing the book and placing it on the table.

"I know that Harry trusts you, probably more than anyone else. You've always been a good person Neville, I'm sorry again for making fun of you for that. I know my upbringing is no excuse, but I'm trying my best to break away from that."

"I can see that you're changing Malfoy. I'm really not one to hold grudges. What matters to me is Harry's happiness, and you seem to be the key to that. You've also introduced me properly to Blaise, and he's pretty great", Neville finished with a small smile.

"Blaise is a lot of talk, but he's got a big heart. As for me, I freely admit I'm one hell of a mess and I come with a lot of baggage, but Harry doesn't mind much. I feel like I can just exist with him, and it's just so... refreshing."

"What a mess the three of us are. You have the chosen one, the almost chosen one, and the one with no choice. We truly know how to bring the party."

"I supply the alcohol, Pansy makes the drinks."

"I heard drinks", she mumbled groggily.

"Of course you woke up to that", Draco teased with a snicker.

"Shut it. We don't all have our own Potter pillows."

"You have a Weaslette pillow, Neville has a Zabini pillow. I'm keeping my Potter pillow."

"Damn right you are", Harry mumbled.

"I'm going to get something from the trolley. Anyone want anything?", Neville asked.

"A few chocolate frogs for Harry and I, then a box of Bertie Bott's. Here, my treat. Get whatever you want."

Draco leaned back into Harry and lifted his hips to get to his wallet, effectively waking Harry up completely. As Draco handed the money to Neville and tried to get comfortable again, Harry pulled Draco back onto his lap as soon as the door was locked.

"Scarhead!", he hissed.

"Yes my Prince?"

"You're not being very subtle."

"I am if I'm asleep, and so is everyone else."

"You're so getting snogged once we get back to our room", Draco warned after casting another silencing charm over the both of them.

"I'm looking forward to it", Harry replied smugly, resting his head on top of Draco's.

With a roll of his eyes, Draco pulled out his iPod to listen to some music to calm his nerves. He felt better in Harry's presence, but he couldn't stop fiddling with his left sleeve. Harry gently grabbed Draco's left arm, and carefully rolled up the sleeve to press a kiss onto the dark mark.

"This does not define you Draco. It shows how far you've come. As far as I'm concerned it's just another scar from the war. We've all got them, some are just more visible than others."

"It amazes me that you're real sometimes", Draco whispered softly, worried that an increase in volume would break the delicate atmosphere.

"I feel the same way every single time I look at you and remember you're mine."

"My special boy", Draco whispered lovingly, curling up further into Harry's lap.

"Just try to relax okay? I've got you, and I'm sure as hell not letting you go."

"You really must want kisses huh?", Draco teased.

"You caught me. I'm only extra nice to you when I need to be snogged. Very thoroughly I might add."

"Well, at least you're honest. I suppose I can oblige you this one time out of the goodness of my heart."

With a goofy grin, Harry leaned down and kissed Draco's nose. The giggle Draco let out made Harry's heart soar, and his smile turned to one of complete love and adoration. Draco softened under Harry's gaze and pecked him on the lips.

Before anything further could happen, there was a succession of knocks at the door, signifying Neville had returned, and effectively waking up Pansy and Blaise.

With a wave of his wand, Draco unlocked the door, and everyone welcomed Neville back in.

"Sugar coma before we get back?", Blaise asked as he stretched out.

"Harry and I brought everyone some sweets from our trip actually."

"Mal- Draco gave me some money and told me to get some stuff for everyone. I may have gone a tad overboard."

Harry snorted at the amount of sweets Neville had bought. It took him right back to first year when he asked for the lot to share with Ron. A pang of sadness hit, and he quickly concealed it with a smile.

Draco noticed immediately, and took Harry's hand in his, giving it a small squeeze. He didn't know what upset Harry so suddenly, but he would be there for him.

"You okay my darling?"

"I will be. Thank you sweetheart."

With one last squeeze, Draco accepted the chocolate for him and Harry from Neville. Draco waved him off when he tried to give him the change.

"Treat yourself, treat Blaise. I don't care what you do with it honestly. I'm sure you'll put it to better use."

They sorted through all of their snacks, and then Pansy clapped her hands together excitedly.

"I brought more Uno", she sing songed.

Everyone collectively groaned and she laughed.

"I'm going to smoke you bitches", she declared.

Her joy was soon crushed after she won the first round, but then lost the next five subsequent rounds.

"Whose idea was it to make the person who gets hit with multiple plus 2's and 4's eat these horrid beans?"

Draco snickered, remembering her look of disgust when she ate an earwax flavored one.

"You Draco Malfoy, are lucky that I tolerate you. I could've left your sorry arse ages ago. Get out before it's too late Harry", she warned teasingly.

"Nah, my free trial ended months ago. I'm keeping this one around. Permanently."

"Salazar that was disgustingly sweet. Just get married already."

"Real tactful there Pans", Draco muttered, hiding his blushing face in Harry's hoodie.

Any remark Harry had to make died as there was a knock on the car door. Neville was the one to undo the spell, and his throat immediately ceased up.

"Blimey Neville- what the hell?!"

All of the laughter in the train car died as Ron's face reddened, and many emotions flickered across his face. Gently, Hermione pushed him forward and closed the door behind her.

"I didn't think you were going to make it?", Harry choked out.

"We wanted to surprise you, but you surprised us. We went to see Ginny and Luna and they said you were with Neville", Ron said, voice void of emotion.

"Weasley, Granger", Draco greeted, face emerging from Harry's hoodie.

Ron visibly recoiled, and Harry winced.

"Ron, Mione. Pansy, Blaise, and Draco."

"You're on a bloody first name basis with them?!"

"Ronald you need to calm down and think rationally."

"Think rationally?! They're-"

"My friends", Harry said, voice an eerie calm. "And I would appreciate it if you would lower your voice Ron."

"Figures. The most you've talked to me in months and it's when you defend these Slytherins! I bet you have all kinds of conversations with them."

"We do as a matter of fact. Using the parchment we carry around with us to make sure Harry is comfortable", Pansy said defensively.

Ron blinked, looked at the table, noticed Harry's messy scrawl, and exhaled slowly.

"Outside", Harry spoke, fighting to keep the anger out of his voice.

"Harry-"

"Now Ron."

It wasn't a question.

With one last look around the car, Ron shook his head and headed out. Harry grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"Harry", Draco said gently, placing a hand on his wrist.

"Fine."

Harry headed out, followed by Hermione who was apologizing profusely. Watching Harry walk out, his face masked of all emotions, Draco felt months of progress slowly slipping away.