Chapter Ten: Mass Confusion of an Utmost Degree

Halfway through Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ron looked over his book and punched Harry in the arm.

"Yeah?" Harry whispered, amazed that Ron was once again making contact with the outside world.

"Hermione says you're going to study with Malfoy."

'Oh please no.' "Yeah," Harry said in a funny sort of choking voice. "Well, you know, at first it was just Neville and I but you know Hermione."

"Yeah, she's such a savior."

"Yeah, heh. Anyway, you shouldn't come," Harry said quickly. "It's going to be really bad. Really stupid. Awful."

"Don't worry," Ron exclaimed, wrinkling his nose. "I wouldn't study for a thousand chocolate frogs. And I wouldn't study with Malfoy for a veela!"

Harry smiled, and all of a sudden, Ron's prior attitude didn't matter so much. "So, have you been talking to Hermione again, then?"

"Off and on," Ron shrugged. "I really don't get her problem." He made certain that Granger was still engrossed in her book. "She's such a mental case; I just don't understand her. So, do you think she's gay?"

Harry stared at the redhead. "Er." 'Honest to God, Ron.' "No. She said that, didn't she?"

"Yeah, but you never know with her. She's so obsessed with Bulstrode now, it's like they're best friends forever."

"I wouldn't go that far," Harry exclaimed.

"So you went to that gay club?"

"Eh. Yes."

Ron looked around and then asked: "How was it? Were you converted? Just kidding, Harry!"

"Ha ha. It was fine, really."

"That's good," said Ron off-handedly, looking at the back of Hermione's head again. "So are any of the good-looking girls lesbian? I mean, beside Millicent?"

"Er. Couldn't really say—"

"Aw, come on, Harry! Like, was Angelina gay?"

"Not that I know of, no, I think she goes with Fred."

"Yeah, but I wanted something to get back at him with. So that's out, I suppose. I wouldn'tve minded her being gay, though, she's very good looking."

Harry stared at Ron's stupidity, dumb-founded. "Oh yeah, totally."

"Maybe she could make out with Pansy Parkinson."

"You like Parkinson now?"

"No, but she does have a good ass. You think?"

Harry grimaced. "Oh yeah," he said, nodding. His voice felt very hoarse.

"Boys!" chirped Umbridge in her high-pitched voice. "I do believe this is a silent time!"

"Right. A silent time," grinned Ron, and made a face at Harry. They both went back to their books, but Harry found himself unable to concentrate.

He wasn't easily able to relate to Ron anymore, and it frustrated him greatly. If all Ron wanted to go on about was lesbians kissing and Hermione being difficult to comprehend, there really wasn't anything for Harry to say. He cared nothing for Parkinson's ass, and Hermione, for the most part, made perfect sense to him. It was Ron who was hard to understand.

--

"Neville, it's just studying. You don't need to have a nervous breakdown!" Harry said through gritted teeth. It was becoming challenging to deal with the boy. He'd taken out all of his clothing, and it was now strewn over the floor. Trevor made sad little panting noises from inside Seamus' slipper.

"I kno'. But they're gorgy, Harry!"

"It's okay—"

"But they're really gorgy! If I say something stupid, put a spell on me, okay?" Neville asked, rather dementedly in Harry's opinion.

"I'll put a spell on you now if you don't ease up!" Harry kidded, but he was honestly becoming vexed. Neville was way on the other end of the spectrum from Harry, for he had nerves of soft butter. And Harry was bolder than he should have been. But as soon as Neville started getting worried, Harry found himself dreading it, too. "Just wear that black shirt with those pants," Harry recommended, poking them with the point of his shoe.

"You think so? It's okay looking?"

"Sure. It's fine looking!" Harry declared as though he had no care about outward appearance, then through a glance over his shoulder at the mirror when Neville wasn't looking. "Just change for Godric's sake!"

Neville selected the clothes, tripped, did a sort of tuck and roll, and tumbled onto his bed. He casually closed the canopy as though he had meant to be there in the first place.

"Oh boys!" came Hermione's voice from the doorway, and she peered in.

"My god, Hermione do you knock?" grinned Harry, hearing a strange noise which must have been Neville's surprised reaction at her entrance.

"Well, I've been waiting for nearly ten minutes! And I thought—"

"Ten minutes? What time is it?" Harry exclaimed.

"Precisely three o' five."

"FIVE MINUTES LATE!" screamed Neville, and Hermione and Harry heard him fall out the other side of the bed. When he emerged, thankfully, he was fully clothed.

Hermione arched her eyebrows. "What in Merlin's name is wrong with you two? You said it yourselves, it's only studying." As Neville caught up with them, Hermione observed him. "Neville. You've done something with your hair."

He reddened. "Oh, have I?" He was wearing a spiked style he never had flaunted prior to this.

Hermione looked from him to Harry, giving the be-speckled boy a look that clearly said What's up with him? Harry smiled politely like he didn't know what she was inquiring and shrugged. The girl was obviously growing irritated.

"There's something going on," she said stiffly.

Neville and Harry raised their eyebrows at her innocently. "Don't know what you mean," Neville said with a look of fear in his eyes.

Hermione frowned. "What are we studying anyway? I made a general study plan, but just so I'm prepared"

Harry's eyes widened just a bit. "I think maybe—"

"Charms!" Neville burst out.

"Charms?" Hermione asked in a strange voice. "Hmm. Correct me if I'm wrong, but we don't have Charms with Slytherins."

"Yes but we—" Neville stopped short.

Harry gave a weak shrug. "We just—"

Hermione grew quiet, still looking suspicious. "I'll find out when we get there, I suppose."

They stared.

"Quit gaggling and let's go!" she exclaimed, and grabbed them both by the arms, dragging them out of the dorm room.

--

They had just emerged from the entrance onto the Hogwarts grounds. The spring sun was shining against the lake, and the grass had never looked greener. Still, Harry felt the mood was foreboding.

Harry felt as though he should brief Hermione on the situation, but then the other half of him didn't want her knowing, because she might say something embarrassing. 'Not being mean,' he thought,' she just gets in her moods where she thinks she's being helpful and she just isn't.'

"If you still don't understand a simple changing spell," she was saying to Neville," then you might as well accept that you'll never know it and just over it."

Harry sighed. They crossed the lawn toward the side of the campus, and Harry sucked in his breath. Near the end of the lake, on the far side of Hogwarts near one of the large trees, were Blaise and Draco. Even from his position, Harry could see that both boys were looking superior; for one thing, Blaise was wearing posh sunglasses and standing up with his arms folded. Swallowing hard in his throat, Harry motioned for Hermione and Neville to follow him, and they tramped along toward the Slytherin boys.

Upon spotting them, Blaise looked down and said something to Draco which made the blond turn around. Both Slytherins gawked at them.

'Oh no oh no oh no,' thought Harry, wondering where all the bravery had gone off to that he'd had while battling the dementors, Dark Lord, and Dudley, yes even Dudley. Somehow nothing seemed more formidable than what Harry was presently getting himself into. If Draco went into his Pureblood spiel in front of Hermione, this would be it. Kaput. Harry could kiss any hope of a relationship with Draco goodbye.

Hermione, not at all concerned (as was to be expected), bustled over to the Slytherins first. Harry was on her heels, while Neville hung back. "Hullo, all," she greeted calmly. "I'm so glad we could put aside our differences for the sake of knowledge."

Blaise made a strange sound in the back of his throat like he might choke.

Calmly, Draco flipped back his bangs and looked up at all of them. "Granger. So nice to see you," he muttered coolly, shooting Harry a glance. Harry shrugged quickly to indicate that he had nothing to do with any of it.

"Something's up, isn't it?" Hermione demanded, taking Harry by the arm and shaking him in a slightly violent manner.

"I don't know, Granger, you tell us. Or maybe Potter would be better at it. What's the meaning of this?" Blaise questioned hotly, matching Hermione's furiousness perfectly, to Harry's great dismay.

"Meaning of what?"

"Well, when you're going to do something, you'd better do it, Potter, and not bring your host of little friends with you all the time!" Blaise snapped.

"Huh!?" Harry was now deeply confused as well as shaken.

Draco stood up and rolled his eyes at Zabini. "Calm down, Blaise, honestly, are you in fourth year?" He turned to the Gryffindors. "I suppose this wasn't what Blaise pictured." He was speaking casually, but his fidgety body language said otherwise.

"Pictured?" Harry repeated.

"We're just here to study!" Hermione announced. "Honestly, what are you on about?" She was staring intently at Blaise.

"Study?" Blaise asked Draco. "Study?"

Draco's cheeks began to pinken.

"Look," Harry said," I have absolutely no bleeding idea about what's going on."

"If you think this is funny, Potter, then you really have a twisted sense of humour!" Zabini declared. "Come on, Draco. We're leaving." And reminding Harry desperately of Hermione, Blaise pulled his arm through Draco's and began to walk off.

"Blaise," Draco protested sharply.

"What's this fuss about?" Hermione basically yelled.

"Blaise! Stop! Quit it!" Draco shouted, pulling away. "I told him it was studying but I—" his eyes locked on Harry's and then he looked away, paling,--" I didn't think we were actually going to… I was being…secretive?"

Blaise stopped in his tracks.

Hermione blinked.

Neville was looking at each person in turn, fearfully.

"Ah," Hermione voiced, plainly, crossing her arms and trying to hide a smile. "I think I understand."

Harry shifted nervously. "Sorry. I don't."

Blaise made a face at Draco, and suddenly, Hermione and Harry were no longer the enemies. "What have I told you about being unclear? You are the worst communicator in the world!" He turned back to the Gryffindors. "Rather sorry for the mix-up. Draco here failed to mention to me that he was using studying as a cover for this meeting, you know, he told me we were hanging out with some blokes like us and then you lot show up with a straight girl, I was just a bit confused—"

"You didn't really mean we were studying?" questioned Harry, growing red in the face, but more and more hopeful by the second. He tried to ignore Hermione who was smirking at him.

"Harry," Draco looked at him painstakingly. "You have yet to learn the act of subtlety."

"I really didn't—"

"Oh, you two!" Blaise snapped. "You both need lessons in something, I'll tell you what!'

Hermione uncrossed her arms and shook her head, smiling. "You know, Harry, you could have just told me—"

"I know, Hermione, but I thought—"

"You've made me go and look like a fool, though. It's perfectly fine for you to be on a double-date! Just tell me next time. I'll leave now!" she exclaimed, her voice strained as though she was bewildered but still trying to be friendly.

Harry gaped at her and then looked to Malfoy. "It wasn't—"

But Neville stepped in, looking completely bewildered. "HARRY! YOU SAID IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THAT!"

"It's not anything like that!" Harry affirmed. "I mean, Malfoy, unless you got that impression, if you did, I'm sorry, I mean I guess I did say it was with Neville, so you might've thought…"

"Well, you were sort of acting like I had to be nice to him for some reason. I wondered—" Malfoy trailed off.

Neville stared blankly at him. "You thought Harry and me were dating?"

"A little," Draco shrugged. "He said good things about you is all."

"Well, thanks Harry!" Neville smiled.

Harry nodded weakly. 'It's worse than I thought! Draco thought it was a double-date so he brought BLAISE! I can't believe it… of all the stupid things.'

"I can leave," Hermione offered nicely, and Harry thought she sounded very much like the lonely girl he'd met in first year.

He had no idea of what to say to her. If her staying meant it being awkward, he was almost wishing she'd get going.

Hermione's shoulders slumped a bit. "I'll talk to you later, then," she said quietly.

But Blaise shook his head intently. "No way. You're not leaving me with these bloody wankers, Granger, I need someone else who can keep a cool head." With that, he took her by the shoulder and sat her down, complaining about his grade in charms. Harry was relieved for Hermione was looking extremely flattered.

Neville, Draco and himself, on the other hand, stared stupidly at each other for about a minute until finally Harry said dryly," So. Malfoy, this is Neville."

Draco grinned mockingly at him. "Potter, I'm not blind. I know perfectly well who he is." Again, his voice was biting and confident, but he was rocking back and forth on his heels. "So. Longbottom. You're gay, then. I never would've thought it."

"Actually," Neville started, his voice quavering badly, it was apparent that he regarded Draco as something from a higher plane," I'm not gay. I like girls. Always have. Blokes are a plus." His blue eyes were wide.

"That's me, too," Draco nodded. "I mean. I like girls," he added briskly.

Harry nodded, suddenly feeling like the odd man out.

"And of course, Harry is gay," Draco put in wisely, giving Harry a smirk. "But that was pretty obvious."

"Ha ha," Harry said wryly. "Careful, or I'll put scars on your foreheads, too." 'Wow, that was stupid.'

Neville snorted but Draco just stood with his hands behind his back. Harry was searching for something clever to say when Neville spoke again. Harry was beginning to realize just how much he didn't know about Neville, because it seemed just a second ago, the worried little klutz from first to fourth year was back. But when Neville spoke this time, he said something very astonishing.

"So," Neville said clearly. "Can you explain to me why it's taken you so long to be human?"

Draco blinked. He seemed taken aback, and for good reason. Harry would have prodded Neville in the ribs but it would have been much too obvious. However, a second later, Draco gave a cocky little grin and shrugged. "I am human, so I don't get what you mean, Longbottom."

"For one, my name is Neville. You don't need to call me Longbottom anymore. And for two, you've always been so cruel! But that ain't you, I've always known it, and I see it now!" Neville took a deep breath. Hermione and Blaise seemed to sense a serious vibe, because they looked up and listened as well. "You don't need to act that way, you know. I mean, you can't help it if you're really an ass, but you didn't have to be so mean all those times."

"I guess I never really thought about it," Draco said quietly. He was staring at the grass, as though he were ashamed. "I never meant to—". He trailed off, fell silent.

Neville approached him quietly, and gave the boy a very friendly hug around the shoulders, then stepped back. Draco remained rigid but didn't protest. "We want to hang out with you, Draco," Neville said. "You don't need to act like that anymore."

Harry was stunned, and even more stunned when the blond drew in a long breath and nodded at no one in particular. "All right. Neville," he voiced calmly.

"I think someone's making some progress!" Blaise declared snarkily, and turned back to Granger as though nothing very note-worthy had happened. But everyone knew the truth. Lines had been breeched. And although no one understood Malfoy or his intentions, he was suddenly on the same level as them.

Afterward, as Draco and Blaise waved at them and headed off toward the dungeons, Hermione put her hand around Neville's shoulder: "You really make me think I shouldn't be in Gryffindor," she told him quietly.

Harry couldn't have said it better.