As the week went on, many girls had asked Harry to the dance, but he didn't know any of them. Whenever someone would ask, Harry turned them down each time. He really didn't want to go with anyone. Ron was surprised that Harry didn't jump on the first girl that asked him to the dance, but Harry made a point to bring up the Yule Ball. "I'm sorry," Harry bowed his head to the Ravenclaw girl, "I am going to have to decline…"

She frowned and tried to stop the tears from flowing as she nodded her head. "I understand," she bowed her head as well and ran off in the opposite direction.

Harry sighed rubbing the back of his head, he didn't notice that Draco had taken a seat at a bench behind him, "Sorry…," he called after her, he wasn't really sure what else to say. He turned around ready to head for lunch, when he noticed the blond. "Hey, Draco!" he then walked over to him and stood in front of him.

"Hey," Draco nodded to him, giving a small smile, "Still going solo to the dance, I see."

"Yeah, it's not a bad thing…," He shrugged, "But I didn't even know who she was. I felt bad, but I really didn't want the dance to be awkward." He ran a hand through his hair, "Besides, it would be best if she took someone who she actually knew."

Draco let out a snort, a small smile across his face. He stood up and walked with Harry down to the Great Hall. "A lot of people must have a crush on you."

"I don't know why," Harry shrugged walking next to him.

"Well, you're a hero, famous, a nice guy, and…," Draco paused, trying to calm himself down, "And, not awful looking…" Draco looked off to the side as if it were the most interesting thing, hiding his flushed cheeks.

Harry grinned, hearing that come from Draco made him feel really happy, "Oh, why thank you. I'm sure you're the lady killer yourself."

Draco almost let out a dark laugh, which came out as a snort, "Oh yeah, totally." He then quietly muttered to himself, "To bad I'm not interested."

Harry, not quite hearing that last part, looked over to him, "Hmm?"

"Nothing," Draco cleared his throat.

"Mmm, okay" Harry smiled once again, another hint flying right over his head.'

As they entered the Great Hall, Draco looked up at him, "Um...I guess I'll see you?" he then started to head for the Slytherin table.

"Yes, unless you want to sit with me, Hermione and Ron." Harry offered smiling, "Unless you don't want to, which I would understand."

Draco looked over at him shyly, "Would… would they mind?"

"I don't think so, they're usually too busy squabbling to notice," Harry laughed and nodded to his table, "Come on."

Draco followed him, "Alright, I'll sit with you today."

Harry smiled as they made their way over together, Harry sitting in his usual spot. Draco sat next to him, awkwardly keeping quite. "Hey guys," Harry smiled pulling a plate towards himself.

Hermione looked up "Oh hey Har-…," she then noticed Draco, and gave him a warm smile, "Hi Draco, how have you been?"

Draco blinked for a long moment surprised, "Um, hello… I've been… alright… you?"

"I've been great," Hermione nodded to him.

While Hermione and Draco shared a small conversation, Ron leaned in to talk to Harry, "What's he doing here again?"

"We're friends," Harry said simply.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well, alright, I'll trust ya mate." Ron shrugged and sat back in his seat.

Harry just smiled and nodded to him. Draco let his gaze flicker from Hermione, to Ron, to Harry and then to his plate, unsure of himself. Draco was broken from his thoughts when Harry spoke up to him, "Go ahead, eat. I know you're hungry" Harry smiled and filled his own plate.

"Oh, Muff… Sfee's gobba stob dis…" Ron rolled his eyes, his mouth full of food.

"Not all of speak stuffed face, Ron," Hermione stated simply, taking a small bite of her own food. Draco let out a small snort at this comment and decided to take some food for himself.

Ron rolled his eyes and swallowed before speaking again, "I said, 'She's gotta stop this, my Mum sends a letter everyday worried about my well-being."

Harry shrugged, "Just tell her what you tell her every day. Besides she's probably still really over protective at the moment, so just wait it out."

Draco froze, knowing exactly what they were talking about. He instantly felt horrible; he was on the side that caused all their grief. Hermione noticed Draco's sudden uncomfortable state, "Well, let's change the subject, what is everyone doing for the Halloween dance? Draco?"

Draco poked at his food with his fork, "I… I want it to be a surprise."

Hermione frowned, "But, I was really excited to know what yours was." She gave him almost a pleading look.

Draco smirked slightly, "Well, you'll just have to wait then."

"Aww," Hermione frowned and then turned to Harry, "What's your costume?"

Harry smiled, "Actually, it matches Draco's. I don't know what his is either, but I know that I match him." Harry then looked at Draco, "He wouldn't let me be a ninja…"

"That's because it doesn't suit you," Draco ignored his gaze and ate his food.

Hermione laughed and smiled, "Well, what is it?"

Harry looked to Draco and smiled, "Should I keep it a secret?"

"That's not fair!" Ron exclaimed when he asked this.

Draco just nodded and smiled, "It'll be more dramatic if you do." He smirked, loving that Weasley was squirming.

"HARRRYYYYYY!" Ron begged, which caused the blond and raven haired boy to laugh darkly.

"I am going to keep it a secret." Harry nodded, "But as a hint our costumes have feathers, that's the only hint I got from Draco."

"A show girl?" Ron asked, instantly getting an image of a showgirl dancing with Harry's face and shuddering at the thought.

"That's what I said when Draco told me feathers too!" Harry said, glad he wasn't the only one that thought that.

"It's very classic, I can assure you." Draco said, obviously smug.

"I'm gonna be a samurai!" Ron grinned, making sword movements with his fork.

Harry instantly turned his head to Draco, who had just smacked his own forehead, "Not everyone has taste like I do," he hissed.

"I'm just teasing," Harry smiled and pat Draco's shoulder, "I really like my costume actually, I feel classy in it."

"Well good, you usually lack it…," Hermione smiled and then looked to Ron, "Though, not as bad as him." They all looked at Ron, who once again had his mouth full and was reading over the daily prophet, slowly chewing. "I know… I love him, but yes, I know. But, I personally, have decided to go down the rabbit hole this year, I will be Alice from Alice in Wonderland."

Harry nodded in approval, "That was a good movie, well judging from as much as I could see over my cousin's fat head."

"I liked the book, personally," she admitted, never really seeing the movie, just images and bits and pieces.

"…What?" Draco spoke up with a rather confused look, "What are you two rambling about?"

"A book called 'Through the Looking Glass.' It's a really good book." Hermione explained to him; she forgot that many people haven't heard of that book in the wizarding world.

"It's about a girl who goes down a rabbit hole and talks to flowers, mad hatters, and animals," after he said this, Harry realized he how horrible that explanation was, "But the plot is a lot better than that sounds, really."

"… Right," Draco had his eyebrow raised at them, "Sounds fascinating."

"I could lend the book to you if you want to read it," Hermione was always willing to spread the word about her favorite books. "I usually bring it with me to school, along with my other favorite books."

Draco looked at her slightly shocked, "Oh, well… thanks," he then smiled slightly, "I'll have to read it then."

"Didn't the guy write it because of his obsession with a 12 year old girl named Alice?" Harry asked tapping his chin.

"It's still a good book," Hermione said defensively, "It doesn't matter the reason for it being written."
Draco let out a snort, "Really? It's about a pedophile's love interest?"

"Y-yes...but there are many authors that write books based on odd fantasies..." Hermione did her best to win this one.

Draco shook his head, "Well, I have class, I'll… see you around then."

"I think we have some classes together," Harry stood up with Draco and waved to Hermione and Ron, "See you two later."

Hermione smiled, "Bye you two," Ron, at the moment wasn't paying attention.

"Goodbye, Granger… and heathen." Draco then turned to walk with Harry to class.

Ron looked up wondering what happened, "Wha-?"

"Don't worry about it, Ron," Hermione pat his head and smiled.

"The way he eats is… revolting!" Draco exclaimed, he had been at it ever since they left the Great Hall, "How can she kiss that mouth?"

Harry just smiled and chuckled, "Opposites attract? They're happy together, so it works for them."

"I suppose that is true…," Draco then subconsciously started to nibble on his lower lip as many thoughts ran through his head about Harry.

Harry ran a hand through his already messy hair and then looked at the blond, "You okay?" he poked his shoulder.

"Huh?" Draco jumped a bit, looking over at Harry, his eyes slightly widened. "Yes, just thinking…"

"Alright, but if you need to talk, I'll listen," Harry smiled, always willing to help a friend out.

"I… I guess I could… talk…But it's really personal… and private," Draco frowned, not really sure if he should say anything.

"I won't force you to," Harry smiled and pat his shoulder.

Draco frowned and looked at the floor, "Right, let's just get to class."

"O-Okay," He watched Draco as they made their way to the class room, noticing that Draco looked a little defeated. His shoulders were slumped and his head was bowed. "Are you sure that there is nothing I can do to make you feel better?"

Draco gave him a sad smile, "I don't think now is the right time to talk about it… I… I might scare you away."

"Well, alright," Harry had many things run through his head, but nothing that would make him want to stop being friends with Draco. "Though, I doubt you could scare me off…"

"It's … It's bad… You'll hate me…" Draco said shaking his head, sitting at the seat next to Harry.

"I highly doubt it's that bad Draco, I mean, we're older now, and I doubt that anything can really phase me now," Harry thought back to his days traveling around in a tent and hiding from people who were trying to kill him, "But, just let me know whenever you need to talk, or a good fly its therapeutic."

"Yeah…," Draco found himself completely lost in thought, as class started writing notes here and there when he would come back from his day dreams. Harry was doodling in his notebook drawing Quidditch items, random dragons, and other wizarding objects. He watched Draco nervously fidgeting with his quill, staring off into space. He then started to draw something, determined to make it as good as he can, but unfortunately it didn't look as good as he imagined in his head. He passed it to Draco after he folded it up. Draco blinked down at the paper and looked over at Harry questionably before unfolding the paper and looking at the picture. He read the note under it that said; 'I tried to draw you, but I'm not really an artist… Sorry I was bored –Harry.' Draco let out a snort and cracked a smile, writing back on the other side of the paper; 'No you're definitely not an artist, but thank you.' Harry smiled back and wrote something back to him passing it over, he watched him as he read it; 'There's that smile.' Draco blushed and bowed his head, trying to hide his smile behind his hand. Thankfully at this point Harry didn't notice, he had decided to actually start taking notes. Draco smiled to himself and paid more attention in class as the teacher's lecture went on. Harry felt a little more at ease now that he knew the other boy was feeling better, if only he knew what was really going through Draco's head. At the end of class, Draco slipped the note into his pocket and followed Harry out of the class.

"I don't get it," Harry ran a hand through his hair.

"Don't get what?" Draco looked up at Harry, confused as to what he meant.

"What we were just learning in class…," Harry pouted not having many notes at all.

Draco chuckled and shook his head, "Were you not paying attention in class at all?"

"Kind of in and out…," Hary admitted, " I was distracted…"

"Distracted by what? A girl?" Draco teased him as they made their way around the halls.

Harry shook his head, "No, it wasn't a girl."

"Thinking about Quidditch?" Draco asked him once more.

"No, I was just… worried… about you," Harry stared down at his feet as he said this, "You seemed down before class."

"O-Oh?" Draco felt his face warm up as a light pink color filled his cheeks. "You were worried about… me? Why?"

"Like I said you were down this morning and I wanted to cheer you up," Harry looked him in the eye this time when he said this, he felt a chill run down his spine as he looked into those grey eyes.

"But… why should you care how I'm feeling?" Draco studied the boy.

"We're friends, and friends care!" Harry smiled and pat his shoulder.

"Friends… We really are friends, aren't we?" Draco looked away from him, feeling a flitter of happiness inside his chest.

"I consider you a friend," Harry smiled, but his smile soon faltered, "I mean if you don't want to be-"

"No, no! I want to be friends," Draco hoped he didn't sound as desperate as he felt.

"Great!" Harry grinned widely and nodded to the boy.

Draco smiles at him slightly, "I have a free period now… I think I'll head out to the lake."

Harry let out a sigh, "Alright, I have to head to charms next unfortunately," he then repositioned his bag on his shoulder, "But, I have a free period around lunch thankfully."

"I'll meet you up for lunch then?" Draco looked to him, trying not to seem too hopeful.

"Of course," Harry grinned, "I'll see you around, I have to run, I'll see you later, Draco!" Soon Harry was running down the hall, hoping not to be late to charms. Draco watched him run off before making his way down to the lake the while time thinking about Harry, and cursing that he was straight.