I am completely unhappy with this one but there isn't much I can so at this point, it needed to be posted today. I'll possibly go back and adjust it later (I know I will) but for now, this is it. I hope it makes sense...


Harry was pacing the room in frustration, waiting for his boyfriend to show up. The disaster that was last night was still fresh and the pain was still there but Draco agreed to meet him, a fact Harry was beyond grateful for.

The door creaking open stopped Harry mid-stride.

"Harry, what is it?"

Harry was hurt to hear Draco's clipped tone but he ignored it for now, focusing on the problem at hand. "I'm sorry about what Ron said, it wasn't right."

Draco shrugged and looked away from Harry, not replying.

"I also informed Ron that if he insisted on making me choose, I would choose you."

Draco's eyes widened as he looked back to Harry. "Really, you said that?"

Harry frowned when he heard how vulnerable Draco sounded; Malfoys should never sound that vulnerable. Great, now I sound like him. "Yes, I did. If he was a true friend he wouldn't be giving me ultimatums. You should know that about me."

Draco's shoulders slumped and he rubbed a hand over his face. "You're right, I should have."

Harry knew that was the best apology he was going to get so he moved on. "Have you told your parents about us?"

Draco shook his head. "Father is in prison."

Harry winced at the slight glare Draco shot him.

"And mother won't care. How are you?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, playing dumb. They both knew that he was the one that wanted it kept a secret for as long as possible.

"You know what I mean. The school is going to be a huge problem, not to mention the public."

Harry was the one to shrug this time. "They were going to find out eventually, they just need to be ignored."

"Easier said than done," Draco said with a snort. "They're already hurling abuse at us."

Harry nodded, thinking back to the insults he'd received just this morning.

"Maybe..." Draco trailed off.

"What?"

"Maybe we should end things," Draco said, not looking at Harry.

"What?" Harry said breathlessly. "Is that what you want?"

"No, of course not but it would be easier," Draco said with an aghast expression.

"Screw easy, I've never taken the easy way before, I'll not start now." Harry enjoyed the bright smile that Draco shot his way and an idea occurred to Harry.

"What is it?" Draco asked when he saw the sinister smile on Harry's face.

Harry's smile just widened.


"You're nothing to me, I only wanted to shag you but you're too much effort now."

The words echoed around the silent great hall. Harry winced as if struck and he found the action surprisingly easy. He knew Draco didn't mean them but Harry was surprised to find those words still hurt.

"You-" Ron broke off, apparently speechless.

Neville had stepped up to stand by Harry's side, a fact Draco didn't seem to like. Ron's face was going bright red and Hermione was standing next to him with her jaw on the ground.

"I knew it!" Pansy shouted suddenly. "I knew he would never care for Potter like that."

Harry wanted so badly to glare at the girl but he needed to play his part. A lot of the Slytherins actually looked disappointed, not that they would say anything.

"You bastard," Ron snarled, taking a step forward.

Surprisingly, Hermione didn't stop him; rather, she looked like she wanted to see Ron hit Draco. It made Harry feel really great that they cared about him so much.

"You can't say stuff like that," Hermione said.

The groups dissolved into arguments and Harry smiled, great, just what we wanted.

"What is going on?"

Harry winced, damn Snape, I was hoping for McGonagall.

The group fell silent again and Harry turned to see Professor Snape's glare directed at him. The silence only lasted a moment. Quickly, voices started speaking over the top of one another. Harry waited until Professor Snape looked ready to burst, then he spoke up.

"It's my fault, Professor Snape."

The group turned to him, gobsmacked. Harry smirked inwardly, perfect.

"I could have guessed; fifty points from Gryffindor and three detentions with me, starting tonight."

The Gryffindor started to protest instantly but Harry just nodded and lowered his head, He still had a part to play.

"Shut it!" Professor Snape silenced the group instantly. "Off to your-"

"Professor," Draco said.

"What is it?" Professor Snape snarled out.

"If you give Harry detention, you should give me detention as well," Draco said, emphasising Harry's first name.

The group was silent again with gob smacked expressions on their faces, again. Harry couldn't hold back his laughter anymore and everyone turned to him.

"Honestly, Harry. You couldn't have held it together for a little longer," Draco said, rolling his eyes.

"S-sorry," Harry wanted to say more but he was laughing too hard.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, looking between the pair.

Harry took a deep breath, controlling his laughter with effort. "You wanted to protect me, right?"

"Of course, you're my best friend," Ron said, still not understanding.

Harry noticed Hermione smile slightly at him, shaking her head and Neville was holding back his own laughter now. "So, now that you know Draco is treating me right, you should be fine with him."

It took Ron a moment to understand but he was quickly shaking his head. "I don't like him or trust him," he said.

Harry's eyes softened. "You don't have to; you just have to trust me."

Ron opened his mouth to reply but he never got the chance.

"One hundred points from Gryffindor and twenty points from Slytherin," Professor Snape snarled out, "and you both have detention with me. Now."

Professor Snape strode away and both Harry and Draco, not willing to anger him anymore, followed quickly. Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw Ron send him a quick smile. Harry smiled back before turning away. Everything wasn't fixed but it was getting there. One obstacle down, many more to go.


(w.c 1,048)

WolfWinks –xx-