I do not own Harry Potter.

Ch.7

Hogwarts was a somber place to be without Hermione. Even though she hadn't been close with many Gryffindors, the whole house mourned her absence. The other students cast them sorrow filled looks and more than once someone had broken down in the hallways. No homework was assigned and classes were shortened, except for Snape's. Searches had been lengthened. No one said it, but everyone knew that they were only looking for her body now. She had been gone too long. It had been more than a month. A student wouldn't just vanish from Hogwarts without something terrible happening. Classes were almost unbearable without Hermione raising her hand and giving all of the answers.

Ron seemed to curl into himself and not even Harry could penetrate his shell. He was nearly emotionless, but Harry knew that inside, he was a wreck. One of these days when Ron wasnt responding to Harry's hugs, kisses,whispers, or touches, Harry decided to go to the library. It was quiet there and he needed a good book to read, to keep his mind off things. Plus, it had been one of Hermione's favorite places. The stacks were empty except for a couple of students here and there reading or making out, that could have been him and Ron, there was no one around. He grabbed one of Lockhart's books and sat in a secluded corner to read. This chair was comfortable and soon everything melted away except for the story. He had to admit that Lockhart was a fool but, he was a great storyteller. Halfway through the third chapter, a throat cleared very close to him. He looked up. Draco Malfoy was standing at the edge of the corner, alone, shifting his feet and looking everywhere but at Harry.

This was a different Draco than Harry was used to, but he kept his attitude.

"What do you want Malfoy."

It was then that Draco looked him in the eye. They were sad and hurt, but one was black and blue.

"I... Need to talk to you."

Harry sighed and set aside his book,"Then talk."

Draco looked around once more and walked closer, stopping about two feet away," I know you hate me but..."

"I don't hate you." That statement shocked Draco.

"But... I like you Harry. A lot actually. Its extremely hard to keep my eyes off of you. I get jealous when I see you with Ron. I wanted for the longest time to be in his place, for you to look at me the way you looked at him. I only recently learned that you preferred guys and though that that would be my chance, but again it was Ron. I don't care what Snape does or... I don't care what anyone says. I guess all I can say is I love you Harry Potter."

An awkward silence hung between them and Draco turned away, prepared to leave.

"Wait,don't go." Harry stood and closed the distance between them.

He was the same height as Draco and could look directly into his eyes,"What happened to your eye? Did Snape do this?" Harry lightly touched it.

Draco grabbed his hand and held it there as Harry was pulling away," Snape has beat me many times for looking at you. Not everything heals right away with magic, but I am willing to get hit many more times if it means I can see you. Just imagine what he would do to me if he knew what I was thinking or about this..."

"You should..." Harry never finished his sentence.

Draco's mouth had crushed his in a desperate kiss. He smelled of peppermint and pine trees. He tasted like chocolate. It was so similar to Ron, but much more intoxicating. Draco pressed his body against Harry and deepened the kiss. Together they backed up against the corner. It was almost completely dark here. Their hands explored each other almost as much as their minds. Harry didn't resist. He craved the love and affection that Ron had so deprived him of. He didn't want to be alone anymore. Ron could be selfish by himself.

Before anything more could happen, Draco pulled away. He was red, hot, sweaty, and breathing hard.

"Let that, Harry Potter, be a reminder of how I feel about you. I have to go. See you later." He barely brushed his lips against Harry's before leaving.

Harry straightened his glasses and tried his best to fix his hair. He smoothed his shirt and put the book away. Leaning against the a bookcase, he took a deep breath. He had just made out with Draco Malfoy in a secluded corner of the library. What about Ron? Now he felt guilty. In lack of better words he had betrayed him, cheated on him. Should he tell him or keep it to himself as if it never happened? He had gotten caught up and lost control. That was the only way to explain it.

He gathered himself and left the library. Guess who he ran into at the entrance? Ron.

"Oh hi Ron! Its good to see you out and about." He leaned in to kiss Ron on the cheek, but Ron pushed him away.

"Don't give me that bullshit! I saw you with Draco in the library!" Harry looked stunned, "Yea I saw you! You sure didn't look like you were resisting to me."

"Let me..."

"Let you what!? Explain? I doubt any amount of explaining will help you right now."

"First of all Ron. You completely put barriers up between us and everyone else. We could have gone through this together, but you needed to be alone. Did you think about how that made me feel?! You were selfish and I found someone who actually cared about my needs despite their own!"

"And it was Draco!? He's a huge git! Why would you..."

"He is not a git! He's been through more things in his life than either of us put together. You just don't know him!"

"And you do!? Did you ever think that maybe I was hurting because I needed you and thats why I couldn't tell you!?"

"You're not making any since!"

"You just don't know how to listen!"

"Boys!" McGonagall came running down the hallway she was soaking wet. Her hair was not in it's perfect but and her eyes were red from crying.

"Ron. Harry. Stop arguing and come with me. Hurry!"

She turned around and ran back the other way. Ron and Harry looked at each other and followed. Something was very wrong. They came to the Hogwarts infirmary. All of the teachers were standing around a single bed. Dumbledore and Hermione's parents were among them. A couple of ministry officials were there too. Almost everyone was weeping or had their head bowed. Harry hung back with McGonagall, but Ron slowly made his way through the crowd and to the front. Harry knew what he would see. A wail of lamentation broke the near silence.

"Hermione. Please Hermione. Open your eyes. This isn't fair Hermione. Open your eyes!" Ron wailed.

Harry crumpled to the floor near the door. Hermione was dead. A hand rested on his shoulder. Harry looked up into the stony face of Draco Malfoy.

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