Chapter Forty-Two

The school year was finally over, and Harry didn't know what he was going to do with himself over the summer while waiting for the green light from the Headmaster regarding being allowed to see the Weasleys. However, he knew that there was somebody else he was going to miss a lot more than the Weasleys over the summer, no matter how guilty he felt about it.

Draco stood on the other side of the hallway crowded with students chattering and giving weeping final goodbyes to graduating seventh-years. Their eyes met occasionally, when they thought no one would see, and Harry bit his lip. He wanted to kiss him goodbye again, their little tryst in the 3rd floor broom closet not quite satisfying him, but that was just asking for trouble.

"Harry? Harry!"

His head whipped to the side, seeing Hermione with her hands on her hips and brows dangerously lowered.

"Harry, have you been ignoring me again? As if yesterday was not enough, you're doing it again today?!"

"I was ignoring you yesterday?"

His voice was so utterly innocent and confused that Hermione just decided to let it go. "God, you know what? Forget it. Right now you're paying attention, so I'd like to ask you if you want to go find a carriage."

Looking around, he saw that the hall had emptied quite a bit, and Draco was slowly walking away, looking back over his shoulder at him frequently and with undeniable longing. Harry cautiously raised his hand and waved goodbye.

Yep. He definitely didn't know what he was going to do with himself this summer. Hermione led the way out to the carriage, chattering about some big game Viktor Krum was playing this summer, which was something that would normally have caught his attention, but he was feeling too depressed and lonely to pay more than brief interest.

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"See you guys later!" smiling, not wanting them to remember him frowning as he left, he passed through the barrier.

On the other side, Uncle Vernon was already waiting for him, tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. Not wanting to irritate him, Harry sped up and quickly loaded his trunk, releasing Hedwig to find some nesting place in the woods, and then climbing in.

Without waiting for him to buckle his seat belt, the car pealed out, tires screeching, and they rode home in silence aside from Vernon honking at other drivers or shaking his fist back at them.

Harry studied his folded hands, the small ring Draco had slipped into his pocket with a note without him noticing until they separated glinting in the light. The note had said on the outside not to open it until he was at home, so he was respecting his boyfriend's wishes, no matter how tempted he was to open it and read his last taste of the blonde for 2 and a half long months.

The car jolted to a stop.

Sluggishly, he crawled out and hefted his trunk, dragging it inside as quickly as he could, nearly falling over due to some difficulties balancing his burdens and opening the door at the same time. Climbing the stairs to his room, he entered and arranged his things in their usual places before taking a deep breath.

Reaching slowly into his pocket where he'd tucked the blonde's note, he unfolded it slowly and with care. On the thin parchement were scrawled three words that made his heart do a flip from not knowing whether to soar into his skull or sink to his shoes.

'I love you.'

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End Part I and chapter 42

The second part will be popping up soon enough, and I am open to any suggestions for titles since I suck at picking titles. I would recommend putting me on 'alert' so you can be informed when I post it. Thanks so much for all the reviews and encouragement you guys have given me!