HARRY-
I wander through the hallways near the Slytherin dorm and struggle to understand the current situation. Malfoy told me to meet him here before dinner, but didn't seem like his usual self, and so I accepted. What could he want to talk to me about? This entire situation was confusing, because Malfoy shouldn't be here at all, by his own defintion people who stay at Hogwarts over Christmas are unwanted. It confuses me and I begin to pace.
He peeks out from behind the picture. "Well, come in, Potter. Do you expect everyone to grovel at your feet?" he says.
Typical Malfoy fashion, I think, and I'm tempted to turn around but I'm curious about what he wants. I step into the Slytherin dorm, not for the first time, but I try to school my features into not giving me away.
"Weird," I say.
"I know," Malfoy says. There is a long pause as both of us try to decide what to do. I don't know what to say.
"You want to know, then," he says.
I look at him in confusion.
"Why I asked you here. What I want. You want to know," he says.
I nod. "I was curious, as you hate me, ' I say.
He sits down on the couch. I mimick him and pull my arms in to.. protect myself, maybe?
"I'm going to start at the beginning, and you can't tell anyone. You'll pay for it," he says.
"Really makes me want to listen, Malfoy," I say.
He shakes his head furiously and pulls on my arm. I don't think he noticed that he's doing it, but somehow it makes me trust him.
"I wouldn't tell," I say.
"Not even Weasley?" he asks.
"No," I say.
He crosses his legs at the ankles, a silly and feminine habit that somehow works for him.
"I'm at Hogwarts because of something that happened, something that I am. I decided to tell you so that nobody would know," he says.
"What?" I say, confused.
He pulls at his sleeves and bites his lip.
"You aren't wanted at home?" I ask.
"Not right now... Potter, you musn't tell anyone," he says
I look into his eyes, which I've been avoiding doing and see scared vulnerability. He stares at me, silently begging me to be someone that he can trust.
I smile at him.
"I'm... not attracted to witches, Potter," Malfoy whispers.
"You like Muggles?" I ask.
He shakes his head. Small, crystalline tears fall down his face.
"I like wizards," he spits quickly.
I pull at his hand, which was threatening to tear a hole in his robes, and just hold it. It's funny, how much I hated this boy before he trusted me with his secret. I might hate him tomorrow, but today I understand him.
"You didn't leave," he says.
That he thought I might is almost more upsetting than his tears. He's opened himself up to me this holiday, and he should know that I stand by my friends.
"Why would I? I like blokes too," I admit.
Malfoy laughs, a sad and self pitying laugh.
"I'm not done," he says.
I nod and squeeze his hand.
"My parents were okay with it. But then I told them that I'm in love with one. My father was more opposed to the who than the what," he says.
"Who is it?" I ask.
He looks into my eyes and gives me a watery smirk. It is then that I know. I know why he was so awful before. I understand every moment we have ever shared together and before I know it, I'm kissing him. I let go of his hand and use mine to wipe his tears. He holds on to me tightly.
I pull him into me and his tears dance along my nose and he's smiling. I can tell that I'm doing the right thing. I don't know about the rest of holiday,I don't even tonight. But tonight, I'm going to kiss every one away and hold him until everything is right.