The Monday that followed was no better than the day before it. Harry was eating breakfast alone when he got a letter from Fred. He felt a buzzing in his stomach that felt strange and unnatural but also somewhat rebellious.

I need to see you. Next weekend?

Love, Freddie.

xx

As Harry read the message, the tingling intensified. He was positively beaming when Draco sat down opposite him looking anxious.
"Harry-" Draco whispered, pulling the Gryffindor from his ecstasy.
"Oh, hi." Harry looked at him with slight surprise, after what had happened the evening before.
"Look, I'm still a little annoyed but I need your help." Draco looked defeated and a little sick.
"Okay, what's going on?" Harry was serious, leaning forward toward Draco.
"It's the-" His eyes shifted, dropping his voice "the death eaters."
The two shared a glance before Harry pointed to the doors and they left the hall, not before Harry grabbed another piece of toast.
"What have they done?" Harry asked, grabbing the Prophet from the blonde's hands and skimming the article the page was open to:
'Terror rattles Hogsmeade shop owners after Death Eater attack!'
Harry looks up at Draco who's eyes are wide with worry, he's jittering and his nails are bitten. This was getting to him, and Harry knows he needs to help.
"There are only a few weeks until Christmas, you-know-who's is going to want to see me and I don't think I can do what he wants me to Harry!" Draco's voice is hushed but urgent
"Meet me for a session tonight, I think we need to talk about this-" Harry sighed and leaned closer "talk properly."
The boys share another long glance as Harry peels away from the Slytherin and heads to his dorm for his bag, thoughts of solutions and ways to help the boy who'd been sucked into something he'd never wanted.

After his potions lesson, Harry didn't join his peers on their way to the hall for lunch. He was heading to the owlery to send a couple of important letters. Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs he felt a tug on his sleeve to find Hermione at the end of it.
"You're not coming to lunch?" She looked hopeful, almost as though they could overcome the obvious wedge that was forcing itself between the three friends.
"I've really got to send these letters, I'll find you guys later?" Harry asked, taking a couple of steps away from her.
"Oh-" Hermione's optimism sunk and she was left feeling a little defeated "Yeah, of course. We'll see you later..." She smiled thinly as Harry bounded up the stairs to the top of the tower.

"Draco, you've got to work on your reaction times." Harry sighed, lowering his wand after the fifth time they'd tried the manoeuvre that night.
"I'm sorry." Draco moved to sit on the conveniently placed couch, breathing hard and flushed "I guess I'm just distracted, there's a lot going on in here-" He waved his hands around his head before rubbing his eyes.
"I've sent a message to someone I think can help us, with keeping you hidden," Harry said from across the room sitting on one of the large floor pillows.
"I can't hide from them forever," Draco mumbled, looking at the ground and twirling his wand between his fingers.
"At least they can hide you for a while," Harry said more sternly, just wishing the other boy would put his heart into the training so that Draco could at least protect himself efficiently.
"Can we finish for tonight, I don't think I can do much more."Draco leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
"Yeah, it's probably better to leave it there." Harry agreed. He knew what Draco meant, spending time with each other again, in these testing circumstances was hard. It felt like he had to try and be somebody else every moment. The background struggle of tension between the two didn't help, Harry knew Draco wasn't over him yet and in a way Harry doubted he'd ever truly move on. Secretly, Harry felt a rush and felt excited every time they kissed and every time they touched accidentally but he was following Ron's advice and he was moving on.
"Why?" Draco broke the silence, opening his eyes and looking over at Harry who was somewhat startled "Why don't want to be with me anymore?"
"Draco-" He sighed, looking away to avoid the intense glare.
"I love you Harry." the blonde confessed, pulling the other boy's attention back to him "And I know that you feel something, there's no way you leave a relationship like ours and come out scot-free!" Draco was on his feet and his breathing was rapid.
"There's someone-" Harry began, letting his gaze wander "Someone else." He sighed, letting his posture fall and rubbing his face.
"Oh." the sound seemed to echo endlessly in the empty room and the sadness behind it seemed to stab Harry right in the chest.
"I should go..." The Gryffindor was on his feet and pointing at the door behind him, just wanting to get out of this room.
"Yeah-" Draco breathed, not looking up to meet Harry's eye "Yeah that's probably a good idea." He sounded young and vulnerable. Harry left him alone and made his way back to the common room, checking the time and speeding up slightly. After all, he had an appointment to make.

He'd just entered the room when a shuffle of embers in the fireplace sounded with a cough
"Harry..?" It croaked and he ran over and knelt before the fire
"Fred!"

//Authors Notes\\

The seventh chapter is up! More angst and more Drarry than before, with a little hint of Fred and Harry right at the end. How does everyone feel about those two? Happy? Annoyed? Ready to kill me? I thought so.

Like I said a few chapters ago, Fred and Harry are not endgame, this is still a goddamned Drarry fic people! We must stay true to our ship.

And that's all from me to end this wonderful chapter,

**Update** I just realised we'd hit 100 reads! Super excited, keep reading this please!!!!***

Love Sidney xxx