"Let me get this straight- Draco shows up at your window supposedly torn open by some spell his father threw at him, so you just let him in your room and harbored him in there until we came to get you?" Ron was staring incredulously at Harry, absently playing with a slinky. The three boys and Hermione were all sitting in a circle around Ron's room, going over what Draco had already told the Order. "What the bloody hell were you thinking?"
"I'm still in the room, Weasley. Not like it's big enough to lose anybody in here," Draco sneered. "Just because you don't want me here doesn't mean you can talk like I'm not sitting right in front of your face."
"Shut it, Malfoy. This is my house, and I can do whatever I want. Now why would you trust him?" Ron turned on Harry, the slinky dangling from one hand. "What has he ever done to make you think he's to be trusted?"
"I know this all seems crazy, Ron, but please believe me. He's telling the truth." Harry was fast becoming frustrated, especially since they had been over the story numerous times, yet the full details still weren't sinking through Ron's stubbornness. "I don't know what I can do to prove it to you. There's no proof...." Harry trailed off, holding Ron's watchful gaze.
"Actually, there is proof." Everyone turned to look at Draco, who had become exasperated. "Anyone remember that I was seriously slashed open and have only had Muggle healing, therefore leaving a wound? If Weasley and Granger want proof, it's not that hard to give it to them."
Silence hung over the room for a moment, then Hermione spoke up. "Alright, but can we please make this quick? I honestly don't want to look at Draco shirtless for too long." A blush came to her cheeks as she said this, and she ducked her head. Ron gave her a peculiar look, then turned back.
"Let's hurry up and get this over with. I agree with Hermione; I don't want you standing here half-naked." He looked very uncomfortable for a minute, then stared pointedly at
Draco, a stare that obviously said 'Be quick about it.'
"Don't want me ruining your chances with Granger, eh Weasley? Compared to you, I must seem heaven sent." Draco shrugged out of the old sweater as Ron and Hermione both turned very red and wore the same expression of horror mixed with embarrassment.
Their faces changed quickly as they saw the large gash running along Draco's torso. Hermione drew in a sharp intake of breath, and Ron dropped the slinky, flinching as he ran his gaze over the puffy skin that was slowly scarring over. Neither said a word, and Draco, who was becoming very self-conscious by being partially nude in the center of the room, finally grabbed the old sweater and stuffed into it rather quickly.
"I hope that convinces you, because that's about all the proof I can give you." Draco broke the stunned silence with an icy glare that was directed towards Ron. Ron just nodded, still wearing a shocked expression. Hermione, however, had recovered and was deep in thought. Breaking out of her reverie, she directed her questions at Harry.
"Are you positive that we can trust him?" Harry shook his head yes, looking back at his friends for the first time since Draco had undressed. He had looked the other way while Draco was presenting the evidence, not trusting himself to have enough self control to stay off Draco if he saw him shirtless.
"He can be trusted. I've spent a week with him alone in my room, and I'm not dead yet, am I?"
"Potter, you make it sound like we've been snogging since we set eyes on each other."
Draco raised an eyebrow in Harry's direction, smiling slyly. "I suggest that you choose your words more wisely, unless you want to imply that we've spent a week in each other's arms."
"That is the most disgusting thing that I have ever heard in my life, Malfoy," Ron choked out, missing the nervous pain that flashed across Harry's eyes at his words.
"Not as revolting as the thought of you and Granger." Draco's words set off a physical response from Ron, and Harry was just quick enough to jump between them before Ron slugged Malfoy. Instead, Ron's fist collided with Harry's shoulder, knocking him back into Draco. They tumbled onto the floor, limbs tangling as they fell with a large crash. Ron looked horrified for a minute, then rushed over and helped Harry stand up. Draco climbed to his feet without any assistance, a bit winded since Harry had landed directly on his stomach.
"Alright, Ron, Draco, outside right now," Harry seethed through clenched teeth, his glasses askew. The boys followed Harry into the hallway. The minute the door was shut, Harry went off on them.
"I don't care how much you hate each other, or if you two ever become friends. Whatever happens, though, you two better start getting along. Ron, whether you believe it or not, Draco's story is true, and you not believing in it isn't going to make it, or him, go away. Draco, stop acting like a prissy snob and at least try to get along with Ron and Hermione for a few days. Then we'll be back at Hogwarts and you won't have to set eyes on each other as often. If you have to, just don't talk to each other." Harry's face was turning red as he finished his rant, eyes bright with anger. Both Ron and Draco had the decency to look chagrined, and they nodded sheepishly. Harry turned on his heel and stomped back into the room, the others following quietly.
Hermione looked up as they came back in, looking from one face to another. Seeing that none of them were going to say anything, she tactfully changed the subject.
"Mrs. Weasley said dinner should be ready soon, so I suggest we go down and eat before Fred and George scarf everything." She turned and headed down the stairs. Ron jumped up immediately, close on Hermione's heels. Harry was about to follow suit when Draco caught his wrist.
"I need to talk to you real quick." Harry had a mild suspicion that Draco wanted to more than just talk, but he crossed his arms over his chest and waited. After the display Draco had just put on with Ron, Harry was feeling rather cold towards him, especially since they needed Ron on their side, not against them.
Draco sensed Harry's annoyance immediately. "I'm sorry. I was really being a bloody ass a few minutes ago, and it really wasn't necessary. Forgive me?" His tone was so sincere that Harry instantly forgave him. Nodding, he turned to leave for dinner, clasping Draco's hand tightly until just before they came into view.
Dinner was fairly unenjoyable for everyone. The Weasleys were on their guard at every moment, still wary of the generations long feud that had lasted between them and the Malfoys. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley both kept a steady stream of questions concerning classes and teachers flowing throughout the meal. Hermione participated in the idle chatter, throwing glances at Harry, who was picking at his food. Draco, uncharacteristically quiet, decided to exchange the possibility of slipping up for the opportunity to not be hexed by the time he went to sleep. The moment they were finished eating, the entire table scrambled away from the tense atmosphere in the kitchen, and in the commotion Draco disappeared.
Deciding to give Draco some time to himself, Harry followed Ron and Hermione upstairs to Hermione's room. After catching up on how each other's summers had been, they fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that exists only between friends when silence expresses more than words can. They stayed that way for a decent amount of time, until Hermione noticed that both the boys were having trouble keeping their eyes open. Shooing them out of her room, she lay down on her bed, Crookshanks curled up on her stomach, and let the wheels in her head turn.
Once again Malfoy does something totally unexpected, but this time it's in a good way... or is it?
She massaged her temples, a gesture she had repeated many times that day. I want to believe that Harry's right, that Malfoy really has changed, but what if it's just an act? What if he's just doing this to lure Harry into some trap? If only we could read his mind... Hermione sat up, a startled Crookshanks hurtling off the bed and onto the desk, glowering at her. The light bulb had just gone off in her head, and all she needed to do was find the spell.………………………………............................................................................................
"Where's Malfoy?" inquired Ron, yawning widely as he trudged up the stairs to their room. Harry just shrugged, continuing up the stairs until they reached the door. Peaking inside to make sure Draco wasn't in there undressing, Ron threw himself on his bed and promptly began to snore. Harry kept climbing the stairs until he reached the attic, knocking softly before he entered.
The door swung open silently, which Harry was grateful for since Draco was stretched out on the floor in the corner, sleeping. Ghosting over to Malfoy, Harry began to notice the trails tears had left on Draco's slight cheeks, reflecting a silvery white in the moonlight that streamed through the window. Harry sat down, conscientiously avoiding creaky floorboards and sharp corners, and lightly brushed away the droplets that clung to Draco's eyelashes.
Why do you trust him?
The question turned over and over in his mind, wearing him down faster than trying to fly in the middle of a hurricane. He had no answer. He didn't know why he had had a change of heart so suddenly; why, after five years, one not-so-simple visit had turned his whole world upside down and caused his enemy to become his lover.It's not just physical attraction. If that was the case, then this would have happened a good while ago, although each has been too busy hating the other to really take into consideration how attractive the other was.
Harry's gaze ran the full length of Draco' body, making his heart pound sharply against his rib cage. No, there's more to it than that. He's changed so much so quickly that it almost seems surreal. Only time will tell if Hermione and Ron will warm up to him.Harry leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Draco's lips, just hard enough to wake him.
Draco kissed back, only opening his eyes when Harry pulled away.
"Heya sleepyhead." Harry brushed a few stray strands of hair out of Draco's eyes. "Have a nice nap?"
"Would've been a nicer nap if you had been with me," Draco crooned, his innocent smile clashing with the desire in his eyes. He pulled himself into a sitting position, directly across from Harry. "But yes, it was a nice nap."
"If I had been here, you wouldn't have been sleeping." Harry kissed Draco, this time with more intensity than before. Draco leaned in so far that he knocked Harry over, causing him to bump into a table that had a lamp on top. Harry's eyes widened as the lamp fell in slow motion, knowing the oncoming crash would wake the entire house. He shut his eyes tightly, preparing himself for the explosion of glass, but it never came.
Draco, without moving from off of Harry, had reached out a hand and caught the lamp right above the base, just inches off the floor.
"I'm not as lousy a Seeker as people think," said Draco lightly. "I just need a faster broom before I can even catch up with you." He set the lamp down, then pushed himself off of Harry and stood up. Without Draco's body heat, Harry suddenly realized how chilly the attic could be.
Taking advantage of Draco's outstretched hand, Harry climbed to his feet and brushed himself off. "So why don't you buy one? It's not like they're so expensive that you can't afford a better one."
"Lucius said he wouldn't buy me one unless I beat you at Quidditch. Now, there's not much chance of getting one at all, is there?" A wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but a veiled hurt smoldered in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," said Harry, squeezing Draco's hand. He didn't know what else to say, so he pulled Draco closer and let his hands encircle his waist. Draco let his head rest against Harry's chest, his hands palming Harry's shoulders.
"It's alright. For the first time in my life, I've been able to actually be me, not just some toy Lucius manipulates. It quite different, but it's much more substantial than leading a life full of lies and darkness. Plus, the dark makes me look too washed out."
Harry laughed quietly, then tore himself away from Draco. "Light or dark, you look beautiful," he said, kissing the tip of Draco's nose. "But you'll look like a dungbomb tomorrow if you don't get to sleep soon."
"Yes, mother." Draco rolled his eyes, then headed towards the door.
"You might not want to call me that, since you've been snogging me for the past week."
"Thanks for sending me to bad mental places. Now, where am I going to sleep?"
They had reached Ron's room, where the Weasleys had set up and extra bed for Harry, but not one for Draco. Ron was splayed out over his bed, limbs practically spread eagled.
"If someone wanted to rape him, he wouldn't know until it was too late," mused Draco.
"Can we please not think about that?" Harry and Draco changed into their pajamas on opposite sides of the room, purposely not looking at one another.
"I guess you're sleeping with me tonight," Harry stated nonchalantly.
"Again? What a treat." Draco threw Harry a sly smile, then climbed into bed. "It's gonna be hard not to do anything."
"So let's not try anything thing in the first place." Harry's expression was measured, purposely hiding his emotions. "No offense, but I am not going to snog you in the middle of Ron's bedroom."
"He probably wouldn't mind the show."
"Aren't you an exhibitionist," murmured Harry, setting his glasses on the bedside table and climbing in next to Draco. "Oh, you're warm."
"And you're feet are freezing. Get 'em off." Draco looked puzzled. "I thought you weren't going to snog me here."
"I said I wasn't going to snog you; I never said I wasn't going to touch you." Harry's hands traveled over Draco's exposed neck, making both of them shiver. Snuggling close, they slept peacefully, with dreams of only happiness and each other.
………………………………............................................................................................
Harry's eyes were closed, but he could sense the pulsing of Draco's heart against his own, his mouth smothered in their drunken kiss. He could feel Draco's tongue playfully teasing his, probing deep into his mouth. A delicious burning feeling covered his skin where it met Draco's.
"Harry . . ." The whisper came from right next to his ear, and the warm breath on his neck made hairs stand on end. Harry gasped, feeling Draco move so that they were perfectly aligned, still swallowing all of Harry's words in their breathtaking kiss. Harry was lost for a moment, floating in a realm somewhere between ecstasy and disbelief, unable to accept the fact that Draco was making him feel the most wonderful sensation he had ever felt in his life.
He didn't have to wait long to be found, because just then Crookshanks leapt onto Draco, who immediately rolled over, knocking Harry off the bed.
"You just can't seem to stay in bed very long, can you? Very low endurance you have there." Draco gave Harry a taunting look, himself looking very fetching with slightly mussed hair.
"Urgh. You interrupted my dream." Harry climbed back into bed and under the covers, facing the other boy. "And for once, it was a good dream," he added lowly, so only Draco could hear. "You would have liked for me to finish that one."
"Did it include you, me, a bed, and some handcuffs?" Draco's eyes sparkled, an impish grin revealing pearly whites. "'Cause we can always arrange that one."
"Everything but the handcuffs. And no, we won't be arranging that one any time soon. I am not sleeping with you, especially not in the Weasley's house." Harry pulled the covers tight around his neck, as if to guard against anything Draco would try.
"Ah, one of those no-sex-before-marriage types. Bugger." Draco slid out of the bed, disentangling himself from the sheets. "Oh, Harry, it must have been a really good dream. You were moaning in your sleep." Draco snickered as Harry curled into a fetal position and pulled the sheets over his head. "Oh, c'mon, let's go get some breakfast. Ron's still snoring away. At least he doesn't look like he's offering himself to somebody anymore."
Stumbling out from under the comforter, a miserable-looking Harry snatched his glasses and trekked downstairs and out onto the porch. He was able to catch a watery glimpse of the sunrise as he yawned, stretching his arms far above his head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Draco do the same, then sit down in a rocking chair. Harry dragged another chair over next to Draco's, and neither said a word, still waking up.
Finally, when their silent interlude was stretched to a breaking point, Harry let out a yawn and made to go into the house. After barely picking at his dinner last night, he was famished, and he hoped that the Weasley's kitchen would be well stocked. Obviously Draco had the same thing on his mind as he followed Harry without hesitation.
They had been out there longer than they thought, for when they came in the entire Weasley family and Hermione were seated around the table. Sitting down, there was a general mutter of good morning, then they all commenced eating. Harry and Draco grabbed plates and set about stuffing their faces for the next few minutes. All that was heard in the time following was the clink and clatter of plates and silverware, and an occasional sound made in Mrs. Weasley's direction that usually sounded like "Good food, Mum."
When they had all finished and cleaned up, Mr. Weasley briefed them on what was going to happen in Diagon Alley.
"Nobody will be going anywhere alone today," he started. "Especially you two," he complemented, turning to Harry and Draco. "No matter what, you must have someone with you all times."
"Back to the Buddy System, just like kindergartners," Draco whispered to Ron, who was standing right next to him. Ron rolled his eyes and nodded, then jerked. Had he just agreed with Malfoy?
"-stop by Gringotts first, then we'll give each if you the exact amount you will need for book and robes, and we will set you loose. Do not spend any extra money on frivolous things, and try not to get into any trouble." He looked from Ron to Draco during this last part, and it seemed to Harry as if Mr. Weasley had dreamt all night of Ron and Draco hexing each other in the middle of Ollivanders. "Alright, then, Ginny, do you have the Floo Powder?"
Ginny grabbed the pot and passed it around. One by one, they all disappeared in a whirlwind of neon green flames, and appeared in the fireplace of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, the same ice cream parlor where Ron and Hermione had met Harry in their third year. Harry was relieved to come out here instead of the middle of Knockturn Alley. He stepped out of the fireplace and stood over by Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, waiting for the rest of the crew to come through.
The moment Draco appeared in the fireplace, the entire parlor hushed. Indifferent to the wondering stares, he strode over and stood next to Harry, eliciting a few gasps from various customers. Each waiter and waitress had reflexively reached for his or her wand, ready to jump between the two boys.
"Did I sprout a shrieking Mandrake from my head that only I can't hear?" Draco' voice was grim. "I knew I wasn't popular, but sheesh." He glanced over his shoulder, and the parlor turned back to it's ice cream, grumbling quietly about the lack of hostility between Draco and the others. "Now I know what it feels like to be the famous Harry Potter."
"Just ignore them. They'll forget about it as soon as something interesting comes along." Hermione looked Draco square in the face, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It comes with being around Harry- you get caught in the fringes of the spotlight, if not center stage." Her face brightened as Draco grinned, and she grinned back.
Harry stole a glance at Ron, who's face was beginning to turn a light pink. "Let's go outside. It's getting a little chilly in here." He pushed Ron in front of him so that Ron was walking next to Hermione, and winked at Draco, who smiled back. Maybe getting them to get along isn't going to be as hard as I thought, Harry ruminated as the warm London sun washed over him.
It took a few minutes for Mr. And Mrs. Weasley to get through, especially with many people arriving for last minute shopping needs. Heading over to Gringotts, it suddenly occurred to Harry that Draco had no way of accessing his vault without his dad knowing. He dropped back to where Draco was walking behind the Weasleys and grabbed talked with him quietly.
"How are you going to get any of your school supplies? Won't your dad know if you take something out of the vault?"
"Yea. That's why I'm not taking anything." Draco's tone was measured, his gaze almost empty. "I just won't get anything."
"But we need new books... and you need new robes." Harry had noticed that Draco's robes were getting extremely short on him, and he could see his socks. "You can just use some of the money from my vault. It's not like I'm going to go broke or anything."
"Look, Potter, I don't need charity. I'll survive," Draco hissed, his old stubbornness breaking through. "It's not like they'll expel me; I'll just have to owl out for books on the first day of school, and then they can charge Lucius."
Harry, a bit taken aback from being called by his last name, was beginning to lose his temper. "I know you don't like having to admit that you need help, Draco, but you can either accept this as a gift, or you can have everyone a little more suspicious than need be. It has to be hard for Mr. Independent to finally have to lean on somebody over something as simple as robes and books, but don't let your pride get in the way of not getting killed."
Harry's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as he realized what he had just said, then he immediately turned red. "Sorry. I didn't mean that last part about getting us killed. That was over the top."
"No, you meant it, and your right." Draco's eyes has softened from steel gray to a dark smoke, humbling him somewhat. "I'm being stupid. And I can pay you back later, don't worry."
"Oh, you'll pay me back alright. Just not in galleons, sickles, and knuts." Draco raised an eyebrow when Harry said this, then laughed.
"Oh, what people do for love."
"You mean, what people do for hormones."
"Same thing."
The rest of the visit went smoothly. Draco was amicable towards everyone, including the bewildered shop owners and patrons that gazed fixedly at him when he passed, chatting animatedly with the Weasleys. Although they weren't friends yet, Harry could tell that Draco's charming, open demeanor melted the sharpness of Ron's hostility, and the rest of the family was beginning to warm up. Hermione even apologized for slogging him in their third year, but Draco protested that it was the least he had deserved.
Hermione and Ginny went with Mr. And Mrs. Weasley to the ice cream parlor after purchasing all their books, but the three boys desperately needed new robes. While waiting for Draco to get finished measuring, Ron and Harry had the first chance to talk alone since they'd seen each other.
"Sorry for being such an insufferable git," Ron apologized, looking ashamed. "I know it couldn't have been easy for you to be pulled in two directions, but finding Malfoy in your room definitely wasn't the kind of welcome I'd anticipated."
"Ron, you sound like you walked in on us!" Harry laughed, but sobered quickly. "I shouldn't have expected you to be so welcoming to him all of a sudden. After learning what he was really like, I'd forgotten how horrible he used to be to us. Sorry."
"Aw, how cute. Now are you two going to kiss and make up?" Draco had finished while they were talking, and now strode over to them. "Your turn, Harry," he said, gesturing toward the back room. "Have fun- she's in a touchy-feely mood today." His smile widened as he watched Harry skulk into the back room, the other boy's expression one of horror.
"You just had to do that, didn't you?" Ron's voice was stern, although a twitch at the corner of his mouth gave away his amusement. "Can't you ever leave him alone?"
"Lighten up, Weasley, it's just a joke. Besides, don't you want to see Harry as the victim of a joke just this once?"
"How hurt will you be if I give the honest answer, which is, No - I'd rather French-kiss a skunk?"
"Okay, okay, I see- the whole loyal-to-the-death friend thing going. Gotcha. Ron," Draco continued after a pause, "I, erm, well, thank you." Ron's jaw dropped slightly as he heard Draco use his first name, then thank him.
"For what?" he asked stupidly.
"For letting me in your house, for not killing me in my sleep, for letting me borrow your underwear- just kidding on the last one." He smiled broadly as Ron choked and glared at him with open maliciousness. "Seriously, though, thanks."
"Whatever spell your father hit you with, it messed with your head. An stop grinning like that- you're going to hurt yourself. You haven't smiled this much in your life, and tomorrow morning you won't be able to move your mouth."
"Oh, if my mouth is sore, it's not going to be because of smiling."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Draco laughed, but let the grin slide from his face. "Moving on- what's going on between you and Hermione? Any action yet?"
Ron was gurgling something that was halfway between a yelp and a "None of your business' when Harry came out, looking pointedly at Draco.
"She was not touchy-feely, you little wretch. Your turn, Ron." Ron looked rather odd, Harry noticed, and the moment Ron was out of earshot, Harry began interrogating Draco.
"What did you say to him? Why did he look like he just ate slugs? You didn't use that spell on him did-"
"Relax, Harry. I just asked him if there was anything going on between him and Hermione, and he immediately became defensive and uncomfortable, so the answer is yes. Be careful before you enter your dorm room these days- don't want to walk in on them and hear something that would harm your virgin ears."
"Oh yes, because I've never had ear sex." Harry burst out laughing at Draco' incredulous expression. "Sorry, couldn't help myself. But do you seriously think they've done anything together?"
"Judging by the way they react whenever one of us, okay I," he corrected himself at Harry's raised eyebrow, "whenever I mention them together, they get flustered and blush in unison. So I believe that it is fairly obvious that Ron and Hermione have something going on. And I don't blame Hermione; Ron has turned out to be rather fetching."
"Should I start all the over-anxious worrying about you being unfaithful, or can we just establish the 'look and not touch' rule?"
"To Hell with ground rules." Draco flirtatiously tilted his head so he had to look up to see Harry, making his eyes slightly darker. Harry felt his heart skip a beat as Draco did this, as had to resist the urge to kiss him fiercely right then. "They take all the fun out of the really intense moments."
"If I didn't know better, I'd swear Malfoy was just hitting on you Harry." Ron's face was still tinged a light pink as he emerged from the dressing rooms, new robes in hand. "All set to go?"
Meeting up with the rest of the group at the ice cream parlor, it was unanimously decided to buy sundaes for lunch. Miraculously, Ron suppressed the urge to levitate Draco's sundae into his lap. Ginny kept sneaking furtive glances at Draco, and Harry was having a hard time not choking when he caught Ginny doing this.
"Mum, can we please stay a while longer?" Ginny pleaded after their meal. "I promise I won't ask for anything, I just want to window shop." Mrs. Weasley glanced at Arthur, who nodded in approval, and they split up: Mr. And Mrs. Weasley went off to look for de-gnoming spray and the children dashed to the broom store, admiring the many novelties and accessories. Mesmerized by 1001 New Moves That Will Improve Your Quidditch Game, recently published by the Bulgarian Quidditch team, Harry and Draco were thoroughly surprised when Cho Chang walked in and made a beeline for Harry.
"Why, Hallo Harry," she said timidly, her freckles standing out against her newly tanned skin. "How was your holiday?" She flashed a bright smile at him, batting her eyelashes.
"Um, alright, I guess." Harry was looking very out of place, squirming under Cho's gaze.
"Er, you've met Draco before, right?" Harry edged a bit to his right, just enough so Cho could see Draco glance up and wave before returning to tip #791: The Perfect Posture.
Cho's face fell suddenly. Trying to conceal her surprise, she nodded curtly, then stepped back.
"Yes, we've met. Oh, I must be going. See you September first, then." Cho threw one last leery glance at Draco before turning on her heel and marching quickly out.
"Did I say something?" Harry looked very confused, his hair sticking out in all directions.
"No, Harry. I just exist." Draco slammed the book shut and tossed it back onto the display. "Mind if I get some fresh air? It's stuffy in here." Without waiting for an answer, Draco marched outside. Through the window, Harry could see Draco leaning against the ancient brick building, watching the crowds blunder by. And just when things were starting to look up, Harry thought to himself.
"Ron, Hermione, I'll be outside with Draco. If we don't come back in five minutes, we'll meet you back at the parlor in an hour." With that, maneuvered his way through the crowded shop, and went over to stand by Draco.
………………………………............................................................................................
"What's wrong with him?" Ron's eyes followed Harry with a look of dismay. "One minute, their at each other's throats, and the next, this!" He motioned towards the two boys outside, almost sending a tower of quaffles careening of the counter.
Hermione smiled deviously. "You're jealous."
"Am not."
"Are too. Don't worry, it's not like they're best friends. You know Harry- befriend the friendless, play the hero."
"But why Malfoy?" Ron frowned. "He's just such a stuck-up prat. And he's evil."
"Maybe he's not as bad as we think."
"Oh really. Then explain the past five years!"
Hermione sighed. "You have a point. What are we going to do with him?"
"He'd make a nice throw rug," Ron suggested with great seriousness.
"Ron!" Hermione's eyes widened in horror, her mouth slack.
"And just think, whenever he gets dirty we could just take him out and beat him." A smile pulled the corner's of his mouth into a broad grin. "And I wouldn't mind placing a coffee table with sharp, pointy legs right in the center."
"I must admit, at times, that's an amusing thought. But just try, for Harry's sake. You know how he hates it when his friends wage war on each other."
"Oh, all right," Ron conceded. "But if he was a rug, would he be black or green?"
………………………………............................................................................................
"What is wrong with you?" Harry stood directly in front of Draco, arms crossed, a scowl pulling his mouth into a frown. "Your having mood swings- are you PMSing?"
Draco glared at Harry, his eyes colored steel. "I am perfectly fine," he said in a tone as cold as ice. "It's the rest of the world that seems to have a problem with me." He turned and made to head off towards the ice cream parlor, but Harry blocked him.
"Draco," Harry's tone made Draco stop and look up. "I know it's hard, I've gone through it. Just ignore them. What does their opinion mean as long as your friends know who you really are?"
"That's the problem: my friends don't know who I am."
"So why don't you tell us?" Harry stepped so close that the distance between could have
been measured with a hand, but the air was filled with a challenging tension instead of heated passion. Darkened green reflected in frozen steel as the old rivalry arose, the battle of wills that constantly clashed. "We can never find out who you really are unless we have a little help from you." They held the other's gaze for what seemed like an eternity, but finally Draco broke and lowered his head. When he looked back at Harry, however, his face was full of fear.
"Lucius." Eyes widening, Draco jerked his head ever so slightly to the right. Harry made to turn, but Draco caught him. "No, don't. He'll be looking for me, and he can't resist the chance to torment you or the Weasleys. Don't call attention to us, just act like you normally would if you were talking to a friend."
"Draco, you're not exactly the most inconspicuous face in the crowd." Harry's posture was relaxed, but his eyes had taken on the same look as they did during a Quidditch match- he needed to find a solution, and find it fast.
"The moment he's out of sight, we'll head over to the Magical Menagerie." Harry had no idea where his plan was going, but it seemed like one place Lucius wouldn't go.
"What are we going to do, buy a rat and stick it down his pants?" Draco had a skeptical look. "That would be funny, but very ineffective."
"Just do what I say. Is it safe?"
"Yea."
"Okay, just walk over there, together, as if nothing was going on."
Side-by-side they crossed the street, narrowly avoiding an old woman with several large bundles, a gaggle of schoolgirls who pointed and whispered as they passed, and a small house elf who was following a pompous looking lady who was shouting orders at him.
"Ok, so what do we do now?" They had reached the front door, and Draco hesitated.
"Are you sure this is the best plan."
"Do you have any ideas?" Harry was fast becoming exasperated and wanted to get out of public view.
"Right, into the menagerie." Draco stepped across the threshold and felt a tugging, as if a hook had been placed right behind his navel. He tried to turn his head to look at Harry, but found he couldn't as he was hurtling through a vortex of swirling color. He could feel Harry next to him, banging into his shoulder as they flew through space.
After what felt like an eternity, Draco's feet were slammed into the ground, and he tumbled forward onto his hands and knees, gasping for breath. Draco crawled over to where Harry was lying on his back, breathing shallowly, and collapsed next to him.
"What happened?" Draco choked out, his lungs still feeling like they'd been compressed.
"Portkey," Harry wheezed. Harry's eyes widened as a shadow fell over them, making them both shiver. Looking up, Draco froze, immobile.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy. Have a nice holiday?"
………………………………............................................................................................
References:
"How hurt will you be if I give the honest answer, which is, No - I'd rather French-kiss a
skunk?" -Blackadder
"What are we going to do with him?"
"He'd make a nice throw rug," Ron suggested with great seriousness.
"Ron!" Hermione's eyes widened in horror, her mouth slack.
"And just think, whenever he gets dirty we could just take him out and beat him."
- a variation of the conversation between Mufasa and Zazu in The Lion King about Scar
