Chapter 5

Crimson-Harry

It had been weeks since Draco had burst again, and since then Harry had rarely stayed in his own commons. Gryffindor felt much more like his home and the tension between him and the blonde boy certainly helped that, but still, there was something more. Something that Harry couldn't shake despite how hard he tried. Nothing could distract him from the thought that he and Draco would never be the same. He felt cold every time the idea crossed his mind. They had only know each other for a few weeks but there was something there that he didn't have with anyone in Gryffindor, not even Hermione.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice disrupted his contemplation. "You're doing it again aren't you." She crossed her arms and stood over Harry; sitting on the floor in front of the crackling fire. The boy snapped out of his trance and quickly shook his head, though not daring to look her in the eyes.

"No, 'Mione, I'm fine...really."

"No, you're really not, Harry." She positioned herself next to him on the crimson rug. Her face was illuminated by the flames and held a certain sadness. With a sigh she rested her head on his shoulder. "You know what I think about him."

"I have to do something...I just have to."

"There's nothing to be done, Harry. The Malfoys-from what I've heard they're not something you want to interfere with." With a shaky breath, Harry turned his head to look at the girl;

"What has Ron told you about them?" Harry's raven hair hung in his eyes but was parted in a way that allowed Hermione to see the famous scar just above his vibrant eyes. There was hope glistening within them but "The Boy Who Lived" always seemed to be recognized before 'Harry Potter.' Harry wanted none of this, and if it hadn't been for this bloody scar he could be right here with his best friend.

"Do you really want to know?" The boy hesitated but replied with a curt nod. "Well-"

"What are you two doing still awake?" came a drowsy voice from the stairs behind them as Ron came stumbling into the room.

"Just-talking," Hermione replied. She knew Harry didn't really want to share his relationship with Draco to Ron. The Weasley never had anything kind to say so he tried to avoid the topic to the best of his ability.

" 'Bout what?" he replied, rubbing his eyes.

"Malfoy." Harry burst in before Hermione could make any more excuses.

"Eck," he responded with a wrinkle of his nose. "Why? He's a prick, there's nothing more to it." He shuffled drowsily towards them and fell clumsily onto the sofa behind them.

"Ron, how would you feel if I said that about you?" She turned around to look at him defensively.

"Oh cmon, 'Mione," Ron replied. "They're all evil."

"Clearly you're biased."

"No really," the redhead raised his eyebrows and sat up; becoming more alert. "His own dad is one of the lead followers of You-Know-Who!"

"That doesn't make Draco evil, Ron! I agree that he's not...the nicest person...but he's Harry's friend! We need to be there for him and if you won't then I will!" She stood up and crossed her arms; her unruly curls bouncing around her as she did. Ron was growing more aggravated with each word she said.

"Do you know what he did to me the first day we met?" Hermione's defensive stance became more uncertain. Her brow furrowed and she looked down at Harry. "He ditched me for that bloody bastard! Why would I support him in his quest to get him back?" The redhead threw his arms in the air and stood from his position on the couch. Harry now sat on the floor between the two and covered his head in his hands. Everything was already falling apart. Maybe he would have been better off staying trapped under the stairs….

"Well I'm sorry that happened, Ron but Harry is our friend and what he needs right now is his best friend."

"No-" Harry stood up between them, looking sheepish, "He's right 'Mione." The raven-haired boy turned to his friend. "Ron, I'm sorry I left you on the train that day and...I understand if you don't care about Malfoy. You have more history with him than I do, but I have to try my best to fix this." Ron's face softened and he dropped his arms.

"Harry-I don't like him, and I never will, but I like you...so I'll help you. But promise me you won't ever bail on us for that snake again, alright? Now can we please go to bed now?" The boys grinned widely at each other and they heard a gentle giggle from behind them as Hermione came and hugged them both,

"Yes, I think we all need that right about now."

"Agreed," Harry said with a grin. He assumed his position for the night on the Gryffindor couch. The fire was reduced to embers flickering at his side and he let his eyes wander to the narrow window across from his makeshift bed. The stars seemed a million times brighter that night; each being reflected in the curious emerald eyes gazing out at them before they drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note: Hullo, everybody! Thank you for your kind reviews...this is the first fanfiction I've ever posted so I'm glad you guys like it :) Anyways, I will likely make 5 chapters for every novel, maybe give or take a few, but I really wanted to make the first novel into Draco/Harry's 'preposition' if you will, so the next one (as of now) will actually be related to The Chamber of Secrets. This chapter was a bit shorter than the others but it will pick up again in the next one so stay tuned!