Chapter 6: Scarves and Hexes

The Three Broomsticks was packed with people when Harry and Cedric arrived. Chatter and laughter were ringing off the walls, making the room noisier than it's usual quiet self. Nevertheless, it was still a comfortable relaxed atmosphere and Harry felt content being there despite his sour mood. He did his best to ignore the stares and looks he was receiving, trying to make himself seem small and insignificant. He did so by partially hiding himself behind Cedric's taller frame.

"You alright?" Cedric asked, peering down at him.

"Yes, sorry," Harry apologized quickly, "I just hate when people stare at me."

"Do you want to leave?"

"No, I'm used to it. I'll be fine."

"Alright. There's a spot near there," Cedric said nudging his head towards the corner, "You get settled in, I'm going to talk to Madam Rosmerta."

Harry gave him a nod and started off in the direction he pointed at. Conversations died down briefly as he passed and he felt the eyes of dozens burning into his back. Why did people have to stare so much? Didn't they realize how annoying it was?

Sliding silently into an empty booth, Harry let out a sigh and leaned back in the cushioned seat. He felt tired and started to wonder why he hadn't declined Cedric's offer to hang out. Maybe it was because he didn't know him that well and would've felt worse than normal for declining his kindness? He didn't know but it made him uneasy and uncomfortable. It was strange he could easily run from Hermione and Ron, his two best friends, but hesitated when it came to him. He didn't really know what to think of it.

Not wanting to overthink about it Harry pushed the thought away and instead waited patiently for Cedric to come back. He drummed his fingers along the table, feeling bored as he waited. A glance at the line in front of Madam Rosmerta's counter told him he could be sitting there a while but he didn't mind, he could use the alone time to think about the conversation he wanted to have with Cedric, about his sudden disappearance after their encounter with Voldemort a few months before.

Thinking about it now, Harry still didn't know how they had survived that, or more so how Cedric had come out alive. Cedric had reacted so quickly and deflected Wormtail's killing curse but was immediately encased into a body bind afterward, stuck where the two had landed. If Harry and Voldemort's wands hadn't connected and he hadn't grabbed Cedric's immobilized body, neither of them would probably be there right now. Though he recovered from the experience just fine, he hadn't been sure about Cedric since he just took off without warning.

The table suddenly shifted and Harry jumped.

"Sorry," Cedric apologized as he settled into the seat next to him, "Rosmerta was talking my ear off."

"Why are you helping me so much?"

The question escaped from Harry's mouth before he could stop it. He bit his lip, rapidly trying to think of the right words to follow up with, "I mean we haven't talked much since-well, you know," he shrugged before continuing, "I just don't really understand why you're going so far out of your way for me. You're in your last year at Hogwarts, you should be enjoying it, not babysitting someone who has mental breakdowns for getting involved in something they knew wouldn't survive." Harry's voice had become shaky at that last part thinking of Draco.

Cedric looked at him for a few seconds and he tilted his head slightly to the side, raising an eyebrow.

"Just because we haven't talked since then doesn't make us not friends does it? Even if we never really got close to each other, I still care about you. I could've died in that maze and that graveyard but thanks to you, I'm still here, breathing and living. I owe you everything for that," He paused before continuing, "And I'm not 'babysitting' you Harry, I'm here because I want to be and I want to be there for you in your time of need like you were for me back then. I'm more than happy to help you."

Harry was surprised at the response and went quiet. He felt a little ashamed of himself for being so doubtful in Cedric's intentions and didn't feel like he deserved his kindness. But even still, he felt that uncomfortableness between them. It was making his stomach feel unsettled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off that crude," he apologized quietly, glancing up at the brunette, "It's just..hard."

"Not to worry, it hasn't even been twenty-four hours yet. It's not like I'm expecting you to be perfectly ok. Besides," Cedric smiled sadly, looking away as the silence lingered between them for a moment. "I know what this is like. I've been there and I understand."

Harry opened his mouth to ask what he meant but was cut off when two large mugs of butterbeer were set down on the table. Madam Rosmerta smiled at him and set down a platter of food too. It was full of eggs and bacon with different fruits stacked up on the side.

"Nice to see you again Harry," she said giving him a wrinkled smile, "Enjoy your food, let me know what you think of the new butterbeer!"

The two said a quick thank you as she walked off to help the next table. Cedric pushed the platter in front of Harry but not before taking a strawberry from the bunch.

"Eat," he said, though it sounded more like a demand, "I saw that you didn't have much for breakfast and even though you might not feel like you can eat you need to keep your energy up."

"You and Hermione are so alike it's unsettling," Harry joked, his stomach growling at the smell of the food. Instead of taking anything from the plate, he took a drink of the butterbeer instead. The new flavor was much sweeter and tangy than the original but in a good way. Licking his lips, Harry drank some more of it eagerly. It was addicting.

"Thirsty?" Cedric joked when he finished half the mug in mere minutes, he looked amused.

"Apparently," Harry replied, wiping his mouth. He saw his drink was still full. "Aren't you going to try it?"

"I'm honestly not a very big fan of butterbeer but Rosmerta guilt me into getting it."

"Why don't you like it?"

"If I tell you why you have to swear you won't tell anyone," Cedric said, "Especially my father."

"I don't think this is the place to be telling secrets," Harry replied looking around the room as if someone were already listening.

"Good point, that's why I casted a silencing spell around us so no one can eavesdrop."

"What? When did you do that?"

"While you were busy with your butterbeer," Cedric confessed, smiling sheepishly, "So it's fine if I tell you long as you swear not to tell another soul."

"You have my word," he replied, feeling more relaxed knowing that their conversation would go unheard, "What did you do?"

"When I was in fifth year a muggle-born friend of mine snuck a bottle of alcohol into Hogwarts-" Harry's mouth parted slightly in shock "-we decided to drink it late one night, to celebrate my achievement of getting prefect and well," Cedric smiled awkwardly and shrugged, "Let's just say a pitcher of stolen butterbeer isn't a good way to sober up quickly and the house elves had a big mess to clean up in the kitchen because of us."

"Was Dumbledore furious?" Harry said chuckling lightly at the idea of Cedric stumbling around drunk. He couldn't imagine an idolized student like him getting wasted, it was outrageous.

"He never found out, we took off before anyone noticed us," he laughed, his eyes twinkling, "They did add additional locks to the kitchens though because of that. So anytime I'm around butterbeer I always get reminded of that night and suddenly feel nauseous."

"That's very unlucky, considering butterbeer is one of the best drinks in existence."

Cedric laughed which made Harry smile. He had forgotten what it was like to spend time with friends and he hadn't realized how much he had missed it. Hermione had been right about him missing out, as she always was. He'd have to invite her and Ron to Hogsmeade once he felt more up for it. Being with Draco had been taking up so much of his time, he hadn't realized how little effort he was putting into his friendships. A frown was quick to replace his smile the moment he thought of the blonde.

"What's wrong?" Cedric asked when he saw the change of mood.

"Nothing, nothing," Harry said waving his hand. He fiddled with his drink. "Just thinking of.. You know. Him."

"Want to talk about what happened between the two of you?"

"Well..." Harry hesitated, clutching the butterbeer tighter. The urge to answer Cedric's question was strong but yet he found himself still biting his tongue, refusing to speak. He took a sip of butterbeer, the sweet drink somehow making him feel more confident. Letting out a deep sigh and he sunk into his seat, preparing himself for the story he was about to tell. "It all started about a month ago.."

Once Harry started telling the story about Draco, he couldn't stop. He told him everything that had happened between the two of them, from Draco cornering him in the bathroom to their argument in the locker rooms. He told him how he had come to him about the offer and their first kiss. Sneaking around to see each other, how none of Harry's friends knew aside from Hermione who had observed him for weeks before bringing it up to him and Ron, who remained oblivious to who he had actually been seeing. His shoulders felt less weight than before when he got it all out, but talking about Draco was saddening him so by the end his heart was aching and his throat was becoming constricted again. Cedric nodded along as he spoke and said nothing, letting Harry express himself freely with no judgment.

"That pretty much sums everything up, and well.." he said as he finished the tale. Harry noticed his hands were trembling and he clenched them tightly.

"How did Malfoy convince you in the first place? It's clear that you two despised each other ever since you first met, what exactly changed?" Cedric asked curiously, folding his arms across his chest.

"I don't know," Harry shrugged, "I just felt there was just something.. Different."

Harry chose not to elaborate on that, it still hurt. The reason he had gone with him was because of the feeling he had given him was something familiar, comforting even. He had been struggling to come to terms with the possibility of being bisexual or gay halfway through the previous year. He had been gaining the courage to make a move on Andrew, but then Draco came into the picture and when he had come to him, it was like everything had become clear. Harry suddenly knew exactly what he wanted. It was like he had discovered a lost piece of him and found it in Draco. Being with him made Harry feel whole. Every time they met up, Harry felt that feeling of completion.

"What do you mean different?" Cedric asked again, tilting his head in confusion. There was a glint in his eyes that made Harry turn away, shuffling uncomfortably. It wasn't hard to tell that Cedric was struggling to believe him but Harry wouldn't allow himself to open up any further, it was too soon and he'd already said so much. He pushed his butterbeer away from him, losing interest in the drink.

"Yeah, I don't know how to explain it really. It was just a different experience with him than anyone else I had been with so I guess that's why I got so wrapped up in it." Harry shrugged fiddling with his bandages.

"Well.. This is quite a situation you've gotten yourself into Harry."

"So I've been told," Harry replied, shrugging again. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy what I was doing with him though, I didn't care what others thought and I still don't."

Harry had enjoyed it, touching him, feeling him, and seeing him in ways others hadn't, it had been intoxicating and he never got enough of it. No matter what happened or how he felt, Harry knew deep down that he wouldn't hesitate to go back to him if Draco were to ask for him again. He both loved and hated the hold he had on him, it was maddening to feel this way.

"If you didn't care then why didn't you tell your best friends?" Cedric asked, confusion clouding his eyes. Harry laughed at this.

"It's damn near impossible to hide something from Hermione first off, she's so observant naturally and I can't control my emotions all too well. Plus we've known each other for so long, it didn't take long for her to piece everything together. She didn't come forward at first though, I think she wanted to be absolutely sure before she asked.." Harry explained, resting his head on his hand before he continued, "And as for Ron, well, he's my best mate.. He does know I've been seeing someone but he doesn't know who. I guess I do care about what he thinks because, well, because he and Malfoy haven't seen eye to eye ever since they met. I guess I'm a little terrified to tell him, I just don't want to lose my best friend over the fact that I fell for someone he despises.."

"I don't really know your friends as well as you do Harry, but if Hermione is able to accept you for what you chose, I think Ron would do the same," Cedric explained while Harry tried not to roll his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"I'm serious, he most likely will need some time to come to terms with it. He definitely won't like it at first but I doubt he would abandon your friendship altogether," Cedric leaned back, "Besides, isn't his older brother Charlie gay? If I remember right, I think he dated a boy in Ravenclaw before he took off to Romania.."

"Is he? He did?" Harry asked, his eyes widening at this new information. Ron had never mentioned that to him and he never really knew too much about Charlie since he was rarely around.

"I'm quite sure, but I was only eleven or twelve when I met him. Anyway, my point is, I don't think Ron would let your sexual preference come between the two of you."

He reached out and clasped a hand on Harry's shoulder. There was that uncomfortable feeling again, and Harry stiffened a little at the seemingly kind gesture. Cedric didn't notice and he gave his shoulder a light squeeze.

"At least consider it all right? He deserves to know. One thing I have noticed is he tends to get extremely hurt when he's left out of things you do with Hermione.."

Harry simply nodded and he looked at the table in front of him again to take in this new information. Perhaps Cedric was right about telling Ron. He had been hiding so many things from him and it might feel good to get the weight off of his chest for once. Harry poked at his food with his fork before taking a bite. He looked at Cedric from the corner of his eye, who was staring his way but his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere at the moment. He wondered what he was thinking about, recalling what he had said earlier about understanding what Harry was going through.

"You know," Harry said when it was too quiet for his liking, "I never got to thank you."

"For what?"

"Last night. Most people would use it as blackmail and try to get me to do their bidding,' He paused, 'And for also hexing Ron so he could stay the night with me. It was comforting to have him there."

"It's not my secret to tell. When you come out it should be you saying it. Not someone else." Cedric said with a shrug, shifting in the booth, "And Ron is absolutely mad for coming up with that idea. But I found it impossible to say no to him. The antlers did look good on him though."

"Yeah, you're right," Harry nodded slightly, laughing quietly, "Also, earlier you also said that you kind of knew what I was going through... How do you?" he asked curiously, wondering if maybe something Cedric had someone else before he had met Cho.

He heard they had broken up just before the last task because Cho kept letting her jealousy get in the way of things. Apparently the amount of Cedric's 'fans' had tripled during the tournament and caused a lot of strain for their relationship. The final straw was when Cho was attempting to keep Cedric from seeing his friends until he finally had enough and called things off. This was all gossip Harry had heard though and he wasn't even sure if any of it was true since he wasn't one to get involved in those type of things. He did feel bad for him either way though since he knew how much he had liked her and to have lost her, Harry knew what that felt like.

Cedric went quiet at the mention of her and Harry thought that maybe he had taken a step too far asking him that. He was about to apologize when he finally spoke up.

"Well...I know you can trust me with your secret so I know I can trust you with mine," He fidgeted with his fingers, biting his lip slightly and he spoke in a low voice despite no one being able to hear them.

"Last year, after the Triwizard tournament, I don't know why but I began developing feelings for someone, really strong feelings. And it wasn't Cho, it was..." He swallowed hard, "It was someone I hadn't expected to ever develop feelings for and even more so it was a wizard. A boy."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise and he opened his mouth to say something but he quickly shut it, not wanting to interrupt him. Cedric continued on.

"I became really confused about these.. New interests. What was right and wrong, what would be accepted and not accepted, what I wanted and what I should want... I denied myself that I was interested in men but I eventually came to accept it and realized I was bisexual, "Cedric admitted, "That's why Cho was always so restricting when we were still together, she knew I was interested in someone else and kept trying to keep me from seeing whomever she thought it might be. She was trying to keep our relationship together in hopes I'd come around but I never did. I didn't want to hurt her more than I had already so I called it off between us a few weeks after."

Cedric sighed at the thought of his ex-girlfriend, and he looked at Harry, "And the wizard I was attracted to never came to know about my feelings. I was going to confess to him a few weeks ago but he's already with somebody else.." He smiled sadly, looking down at his hands, his bright brown eyes dulling.

Harry felt empathy wash over him as he looked at his sad expression and awkwardly gave him a pat on his back in an attempt to comfort him. He didn't know what to say that would help as much as Cedric's words had helped him but his gesture seemed to help because Cedric gave him a weak smile.

"Thanks... So, I know how you feel and it sucks, it really sucks, but I know you can get through it. I'm still trying to get over him but everything just takes a little time so don't give up just yet alright?"

Harry nodded, feeling better that he had someone to compare his problems with and although last night was one of the worst moments in his life, he was grateful that it was Cedric that found him in the Quidditch Pitch. Even if they weren't completely similar, they were still involved with the same issue. They were both in love with someone who would never love them back.

It was freezing outside when Harry and Cedric left the Three Broomsticks. The wind had become bitter and stung Harry's exposed face as they walked back towards the castle. He cursed to himself for not bringing his scarf and tried to keep himself warm by pulling his collar up as much as he could. He shivered when an icy breeze went through him, goosebumps immediately forming on exposed skin. Grumbling quietly in grouchiness, Harry kicked up a bit of snow as they walked.

"Cold?" Cedric asked simply, sensing his irritation.

"Yes, it's just chillier than I thought it would be." Harry mumbled back, trying to keep his teeth from chattering as he stared at the snow, silently cursing it and it's existence. It was much prettier when you looked at it from inside, where it was dry and warm, how Harry liked it. It wasn't long before he felt a warm fabric touch his bare neck, causing him to flinch. He looked up at Cedric, who had taken off his own scarf and was tying it around Harry, folding it into his shirt to keep the wind from getting in. Cedric looked at him when he noticed he was staring and smiled, his breath came out as icy air as he continued to fidget with the scarf.

"Sorry, I don't want you getting sick or anything. Your friends wouldn't trust me to watch over you again if I brought you back with a cold."

Harry felt his face turn warm as Cedric fiddled with the scarf and he looked away, staying quiet until he was satisfied with how he had placed the scarf. There was that uncomfortable feeling again.

"Thanks," Harry muttered, trying to hide his face in the scarf. It smelled like him. He sighed briefly, taking in the vanilla-like scent.

Cedric said nothing but responded with a smile and they continued their walk, silence lingering between them as they each dwelled on their own inner thoughts. Harry glanced at Cedric every so often and wondered what he was thinking about. Was he thinking about the wizard he liked? Because he knew how he felt. It would be lunch-time when they got back to the castle and Harry's stomach was starting to jump at the thought of seeing Draco. On one side, he hoped he wouldn't show up again but on the other, he hoped he would.

It wasn't until they were almost to the castle that Harry remembered what he wanted to talk to Cedric about. He stopped just before they were about to enter and turned to him.

"Hey, Cedric?"

"Hm?"

"Why'd you suddenly disappear?"

"What do you mean?"

"After the tournament, the graveyard, you just-" Harry hesitated, not really sure what to say, "You just..took off."

Cedric's expression was blank at first but then it turned sad, his eyes lowering to the ground. Harry immediately regretted asking him and was about to apologize when he spoke.

"Everything was overwhelming. The tournament, Cho, the graveyard, and you-know-who," Cedric explained looking at him, "I was just too overwhelmed with everything and I needed to take a step back to re-evaluate my self, understand what I wanted. But I mostly needed time to get over that experience. It was horrible you know?" His face twisted into discontent as if he'd eaten something bad. "I had nightmares for a while, I still do, and I felt depressed all the time like a weight was in my chest. I needed the time so I took it."

"I get it," Harry nodded in understanding, "Sorry to bring that up. I just-I was just worried about you is all."

"No need to worry Harry, I'm fine. Even if I'm not, I know I will be, everything will be fine in the end," Cedric said before they entered the school. "Will you be ok though?"

"Yeah, I think I'll be alright for now. It's like you said, just need some time I guess."

"Are you going to get lunch? I'll come with you if you don't feel comfortable being there."

"I don't want to be there but I'll be fine. I already missed going to the library with Ron and Hermione, they'll already be upset with me."

"Understood," Cedric nodded, "I hope things go ok for you Harry. Talk to your friends soon. Especially Ron. Alright?"

"Yeah, I'll try to.." Harry shrugged, "Oh, and about that wizard you like?"

"What about him?"

"I think you should tell him, you never know right?"

Cedric didn't respond, he simply smiled and gave him a brief nod before he started walking off in the opposite direction. Harry turned to leave when he realized something and called out after him.

"Wait, Cedric!" he unwrapped the Hufflepuff scarf still around his neck and he held it out to him, "Your scarf... Sorry, I forgot I was wearing it."

Cedric smiled and pushed his hand politely away, "Keep it, since you seem to always forget yours." He winked at Harry and turned away again, luckily not seeing Harry's flushed face.

Harry watched him leave and he gripped the scarf tightly, looking down at it. He wrapped it loosely around his neck before entering the Great Hall. He quickly caught sight of bushy hair that identified Hermione but there was no sign of Ron anywhere. Harry guessed that Hermione had finished her work before him and left him in the library so he could finish his. Harry ignored the stares and points aimed at the scarf around his neck and promptly sat down at his usual spot. Hermione didn't acknowledge him, her grip tightening on the newspaper she was hiding behind.

"Hermione, let me explain-"

Hermione slammed the newspaper to the table before he could muster another word out, making the students around her jump at her sudden fury. Harry even flinched a little, he wasn't expecting her to be this upset.

"We waited for over an hour for you at the library and you didn't even show up!" She snapped angrily as she glared, "Do you understand how worried we got and we had to find out from Angelina that you galloped off with Cedric somewhere instead of coming to meet us like you promised?! Since when do you choose others over us?!"

Harry gave her a moment to let out any other outbursts. When she scoffed and hid behind her now crinkled newspaper, he decided to speak up.

"Look, I'm sorry," -Hermione snorted- "I was having a hard time this morning and I was going to go to the library but I ran into Cedric, he wanted to talk, we got caught up and we lost track of time. Look," his voice lowered down to a whisper, "He's experienced something similar and he was able to have some insight. I'm really sorry to have scared you guys and for not showing up. Please understand though, it was just too hard this morning but I feel better now.."

Hermione didn't say anything, but she lowered the newspaper slightly, her brown eyes still burning with anger and hurt. Harry tried to pull his best 'I'm-sorry-for-being-an-arse-please-forgive-me' look that he knew Hermione couldn't ignore. She huffed loudly, blowing her curled bangs out of her face. Her eyes softened but continued to hold their sharpness as she slowly lowered the paper to the table.

"At least give us a warning next time. Not even a note or anything.." She muttered under her breath in an annoyed tone, taking a bite of her sandwich. She motioned to the plate next to Harry's elbow, where a duplicate sandwich and several fruits and veggies sat, waiting to be eaten.

"Eat something," She demanded, pushing the plate in front of him. "If you're going to be running off everywhere you at least need the energy to be able to do so."

"Thanks.. and I'm sorry again." Harry said, squeezing her hand gently before taking a bite of the sandwich, "Where's Ron?"

"In the library still. He kept slacking off and was keeping me from my work so I set Pince on him, told her he needed help with research so he's pretty much stuck there until he's done. Why do you ask?" Hermione said as she folded her paper up.

"He's gonna be pissed that you did that," Harry chuckled, "After me and Cedric talked-"

"What did you two talk about exactly? And also, why are you wearing what I assume is his scarf?" Her eyes flicked down to his neck, eyebrows furrowed again.

"I forgot mine and he loaned his to me so I wouldn't get sick. I'm just borrowing it." Harry lied quickly, not mentioning Cedric had given it to him, "And I told him basically the same thing I had told you when you had come around asking questions."

"Speaking of which, are you ready to talk about..you know?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head immediately, "Not in the slightest."

Hermione sighed, rubbing her temple. It was her way of destressing herself. She reached over and squeezed Harry's hand, giving him a small sympathetic smile.

"Let me just say this, you're way too good for her anyway."

"I don't really believe that but thanks.." Harry said, giving her a weak smile. "Anyway," he continued, lowering his voice, "I was considering telling Ron about it too.."

Harry took a sip of his water, trying to avoid Hermione's gaze when her eyes snapped back up to look at him.

"Really?" She whispered out as she leaned forward, her eyes wide.

Harry swallowed the bite he took of his sandwich before he answered. "Maybe, it's only been a day and I'm not sure if I want to pull out another issue. The last thing I want is for Ron to get angry with me with everything going on.."

"Harry I told you again and again. He'll only be upset with who it was. And I've been trying to get you to tell him for over a month and within a day Cedric convinces you?" She said this somewhat bitterly.

"Hermione, please, I wasn't in the right state of mind then." Harry pleaded with her before she went into another rant. "I'm just trying to fix everything that's gone wrong and this is the start I've decided to go with.."

"Well," Hermione sighed, her anger mostly disappearing, "I suppose you're right. But even still! Listen to me more often!"

She tried to swat him on the head with her newspaper but missed, hitting his shoulder instead. Harry chuckled softly before he continued eating. Although he was feeling better after talking to Cedric, he still wanted to go to his room for the rest of the day. Now that he was considering telling Ron, that was another thing he would have to worry about and it was already stressing him. How would he even start that conversation with him? Should he just come right out and say it? Should he was bisexual first and had been experimenting his interest in men and Draco had been the first and only? It had been easier with Hermione since she had basically figured everything out on her own, and all he had to do was confirm her suspicions. With Ron, he'd have to come clean about everything and explain that his 'secret girlfriend' had actually been Draco all along.

Thinking of the blonde stirred the urge to look at him across the room if he was even there since Harry hadn't looked for him when he had first come in. Gripping his spoon tightly, Harry forced himself to look at the bowl of pudding in front of him. It was hard to keep himself from peering across the room in hopes of seeing a glimpse of Draco but he allowed himself to glance up very quickly. Hermione was blocking his view, still reading the paper. She was probably sitting there on purpose, knowing he would look. Clever.

Sighing to himself and trying not to feel disappointed, Harry continued to eat, his mind swirling around the blonde he desperately wanted to see.

"If only things had ended differently.." He gloomily thought as he played with his food, sighing again.

"I SAID I'M FINE SO FUCKING FUCK OFF!" A voice suddenly bellowed in the Great Hall, echoing off the walls. All chatter ceased to exist, replaced by the creaking noises of students turning in their seats to look over to where it had come from. Even the teachers stopped talking. Harry immediately recognized the voice and felt his skin prickle, with excitement or fear, he didn't know.

With Hermione's head turned, Harry didn't waste a second and quickly looked for blonde hair. His heart jumped when his hearing was correct and it was Draco that had screamed out loud. He was standing in front of Zabini, his face red and his chest was heaving up and down. Harry watched him throw his robes on before storming towards the door, Zabini hesitating for a second before going after him.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked, more to herself as she turned back, "What do you-Harry? Where are you going? HARRY!"

Harry didn't hear Hermione as he stood, his eyes were stuck on Draco. His instincts were practically screaming at him to stay where he was but his heart was telling him to go after the blonde. He wanted to make sure he was okay because as much as he hated it, the urge to keep Draco safe was too strong. Harry ignored the stares and walked quickly, his eyes never leaving Draco's back, while trying to keep himself from running after the two Slytherins disappeared behind the heavy door. Harry heard Hermione behind him, calling him back, but he ignored her and pushed the door open, stepping out as they shut once more.

His heart jumped when he saw Draco, he wasn't even ten feet away from him, and their eyes met. Draco looked the same as last night, his hair was slicked back, his jawline more prominent than ever and his grey eyes dark and clouded with unreadable emotions. He was so beautiful, it rendered Harry speechless for a few seconds. There were just so many things Harry wanted to say but there was only one word that managed to slip from his lips.

"Draco.."

Harry barely took a step forward, when a sudden whip of robes and a much taller and scary looking Zabini stood in his path, blocking Draco from view.

"Back off Potter." he said immediately in a voice laced with venom.

"Or else?" Harry quickly retorted in a challenging tone, his anger rising as he stood his ground.

"Or else you'll regret it scar-head."

"Well, aren't you original? Thought of that all on your own, did you? I'm shocked." Harry said sarcastically, meeting his intense gaze. He could practically see Zabini's skin ripple with anger and felt his own fury beginning to rise. He was in his way of getting to Draco and Harry didn't like it in the slightest.

The Great Hall's doors banged open again, making Harry turn his head. Hermione had followed after him, a pissed off expression on her face.

"Harry!" She hissed, "What are you doing?!"

"Hermione, I was just-"

Harry was suddenly shoved back, and he nearly lost his footing, but Hermione managed to catch him. Zabini took another step forward, jaw clenched and nostrils flaring, his anger becoming more evident. Harry caught a glimpse of Draco, who was turned away and staring hard at the floor. He seemed to be oblivious to what was happening right beside him.

"I said back off Potter." he repeated loudly, gaining Harry's attention once more as he blocked Draco from view again. He whipped his wand out this time and pointed it at Harry's chest. Harry felt the lion within him growl, unafraid, and he stood straight back on his feet, Hermione trying to pull him back.

"Harry!" She whispered angrily into his ear as she struggled to keep her hold on him, "Let him go! It's not worth it!"

"When it's about him it is." Harry muttered back, causing Hermione to sigh loudly in frustration.

"Funny you say that considering certain things." Zabini started, having heard him. His grip on his wand tightened.

"Locomotor wibbly!"

Harry didn't get a chance to ask what he meant because a jet of orange whizzed past his ear towards Zabini, who barely dodged the stream of light as the jelly-legs curse collided with the wall instead. Hermione pulled him away, taking advantage of his distraction and Zabini regained his composure, shielding Draco once more. Harry peered over his shoulder and immediately recognized his red-haired best friend running up to Hermione and him.

"OI! WHAT THE FUCK?!" Ron shouted as he came into view, having casted the spell. Throwing his book bag aside before he threw himself in front of Harry and Hermione. It seemed he had finally finished his work and had come down from the library just in time. He and Zabini stood eye to eye, both around the same height and wands pointed at one another. Harry could almost see the sparks shooting from their dark glares as they eyed one another warily.

"Why don't you ask him?" he said, jerking his head towards Harry.

"What the hell is he talking about Harry?" Ron asked, not taking his eyes of Zabini.

"Don't tell me he hasn't told you his little secret?" he sneered, "Such a shame, I must have mistaken how well you knew your best friend."

"Sorry but I think you're mistaken." Ron said confidently although there was still doubt within his voice, "Because unlike people like you, we watch out for each other."

Harry felt the color drain from his face when he saw the wicked glint in Zabini's eyes and he realized that he knew. He knew about him and Draco, and he was using it against him. He was going to out him to Ron. He glanced at Hermione, whose eyes were filled with disbelief and fear.

"Oh really?" Zabini said, his lips curving into a smirk. "Well, that's interesting since-"

"SILENCIO!" Hermione shouted loud and clear.

Whatever Zabini was going to say went unheard, his lips moving but no noise coming out. This only seemed to piss him off more and he raised his wand but Ron was quicker than him.

"Locomotor mortis!"

Draco, who hadn't said anything this entire time suddenly leaped to his friends' aide, and yelled, "Protego!" as he waved his wand. The purple spell was blocked successfully, but rebounded and shot back at the trio.

"WATCH OUT!" Ron shouted, shoving Harry and Hermione to the side.

The spell hit Ron straight in the chest and immediately his legs snapped together. He flailed frantically for a moment before falling flat on his face, a small crack ringing through the air. Hermione dove towards him, rolling him over and helping him sit up. Ron was holding his nose that was bleeding profusely into his hand. It was obvious it had broken when it had smacked against the hard floor. Harry quickly moved in front of his two friends, his arms up in surrender when Draco raised his wand to shout another curse.

"Stop! STOP! Leave them out of this!" Harry said, his legs trembling but he refused to reach for his wand. It's not like he would've been able to, he didn't have it in him to fight back against him and Draco had the upper hand here.

Draco's eyes narrowed dangerously, his lips pursed tightly together but Harry could see the hesitation. Eventually, he slowly lowered his wand. He stared at Harry for a moment, his eyes cold and emotionless, daring him to make a move. Harry licked his dry lips and decided to take up on his dare.

"What's your issue?!" He asked, trying to indirectly ask him what was wrong.

"You." Draco snapped, grabbing onto a still mute Zabini who was trying to yell curses to no avail. He began to leave but Harry, unsatisfied with his answer, shouted again.

"What the fuck did I do?!" He said angrily, offended that Draco was angry with him for no apparent reason when the angry one should be him in this situation.

Draco said nothing, except give him one last glare before turning away, latched onto Zabini's arm. Zabini also glared at him and mouthed what looked like a "Watch your back Potter." and the two Slytherin's disappeared around the corner, leaving the three Gryffindors alone in the corridor.

Harry's arms lowered to his sides, his heart throbbing as he watched them leave. It was like the Quidditch Pitch all over again, Draco leaving him behind with no explanation. His eyes started to blur as tears formed but he blinked them away quickly. Harry turned to his friends, kneeling down to their level but he couldn't look at them. He already knew Hermione had a disappointed expression on her face and Ron's confused and angry look would be full of questions waiting to be answered.

"Oi, 'Arry." Ron's muttered, his voice sounding congested since his nose still clogged with blood, "Thwat the 'ell ith going on?"

Harry sighed, looking first at Hermione who lowered her gaze and began saying the counter-curse to free Ron's bound legs. He looked at Ron, his best friend, and simply said,

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Sorry for the absence. Hope you enjoy~