The Exchange

'Where am I?'

Haley looked around. She was definitely still in Hogwarts as she recognized the corridor to the dungeons.

"Ahhhh!"

Haley jumped, startled at the scream. The source was easily found for when she looked to her right, she saw Pansy hiding her face and running as fast as she could down the corridor.

"Pansy?" Haley called, as the girl passed.

The brunette slowed down to a stop. She turned and uncovered her face.

Haley gasped, before throwing her hands over her mouth to fight off the oncoming urge to laugh. There, on Pansy's face, were boils the size of marbles. Just then, one particular boil on the brunette's nose began to grow even larger. The green-eyed girl watched on in amusement.

"Ewww…get them off!" Pansy whined. She turned and ran away once more.

"Hmmm…" Haley frowned. "That was extremely odd…"

"Hello there, my friend!"

Haley turned to see Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas standing behind her, grins on their faces.

"What are you two so happy about?" Haley asked.

"I know a little secret…" Dean smiled.

"Yes, and I found some money on the floor. Who wouldn't be happy?" The Irish boy shrugged.

Haley smiled at her friends.

"Well, I suppose we should be off." Dean said. "Come on, Seamus."

"Right-o." Seamus took Dean's hand and they both flew up through the castle's ceiling.

The Slytherin girl stared in wonder. 'What is going on here?'

"Hi! My name's Leir."

Haley spun around, and sure enough, the boy named Leir was standing there.

"Ummm…Hi Leir." Leir simply smiled and waved at the girl. "What's new?"

Leir laughed. "I am!" Haley, despite how odd this all was couldn't help but chuckle. "Bye now!"

"Bye Leir." She waved at the boy as he walked straight through a wall.

"Potter!"

Haley jumped and spun around only to come face to face with Draco Malfoy. She looked at him in confusion. "Potter?"

"How dare you betray me like this. Is this your sort of idea of fun?" The Head Boy looked extremely angry.

"Wait, you know?"

"Goodness, man, the whole school knows. They saw you transform. Including me!"

"What? Transform?" Haley looked down only to see that she was in fact a boy again. "When did this happen?" Harry reached up to touch his hair which was back to being short again.

"Come off it, Potter. I thought Haley was my friend. You were just using me. You were just playing with me."

"No, that's not true!" Harry instantly recognized the change in his voice, wondering how he could have missed the deepness of it.

"Like hell it's not true. I honestly thought Haley was a good person. She was one of my closest friends, maybe even one of my best. But, no. It was all just a game. Not only did you play with my emotions, you played with my heart."

"No, Draco, I can explain-"

"I don't want to hear it!" The blonde crossed his arms over his chest.

"But Draco, please. It wasn't a game to me and I wasn't trying to play you. I don't know how or when this happened but I swear, you mean a lot to me. More than I ever imagined."

"Bullocks." Draco sneered. "Even if what you said was all true, there's no way I'd be your friend. You're Harry Potter. The son of a Mudblood mother and a loony father."

Harry took a step back. Anger, betrayal, hurt, and disappointment shone through emerald irises. "How dare you say those things about my parents…What happened to the nice Draco? What happened to the Draco that let me borrow his sweater when I was cold? What happened to the Draco that calculated the time it would take for me to come see him? Why can't I be friends with that Draco?"

The boy in question took a step forward so that their faces were almost touching. Harry could feel the other boy's breathe upon his cheek.

"…That Draco died the moment Haley Jones became Harry Potter." There was no denying the hatred in his voice or the hatred in his eyes. Draco spun around and walked away into the dark corridor.

"Draco…no…" Harry felt his knees give way as he fought a losing battle with his oncoming tears. Sobs began to rack his shoulders as tears stained his cheeks. "When did this happen? How could this have happened?"

"Don't cry, Harry Potter."

Harry looked up. There, crouching in front of him, was Ethan Maxwell smiling gently at the raven-haired boy. "Ethan?"

"Don't tell me you already forgot about me now that you're back in Gryffindor." Ethan smirked.

"You…you're not mad at me? I mean, for lying to you?"

"Not at all. I'm sure I would have done the same thing if put into your position." The Slytherin reached up and wiped away the tears falling down Harry's face. "Don't cry, Harry Potter…" Ethan whispered, hazel eyes locked onto green. He pulled the other boy into an embrace that Harry gladly accepted.

Harry cried upon Ethan's shoulder. He cried out his confusion and his pain. He cried until all that was left was the sound of his own heartbeat. Harry frowned. His heartbeat was getting louder. Confused, he opened his eyes…

…To see a canopy of silver and green.

'What?' Haley sat up, her hair falling over her shoulders. 'My hair…it's still long.' She looked down. 'I still have breasts…'

Haley sighed. "It was a dream." Haley flopped back down into her bed, only to shoot right back up when she noticed that her pillow was wet. She touched her cheek and sure enough, there were trails of tears. "I was crying in my sleep?"

A knock came at her door. "Jones, are you up yet? I've been standing here, knocking, for ten minutes already."

Haley's attention shot towards the door. 'So that's what woke me up…' "Draco?"

"Well, who else would it be?"

"Snape, Blaise, Ethan…Hell, it might've even been Pansy trying to hex me."

"Blah, blah, blah…Just let me in already, will you?"

Haley quickly flipped over her pillow to the dry side and wiped her face with her sleeves. She hopped off her bed, instantly missing its warmth, and feeling the effects of her cold. She grabbed her glasses and hurried to the door. Outside was a slightly annoyed Draco, arms crossed and eyebrow cocked.

"Were you really out here for ten minutes?" Haley asked, not letting the boy in just yet.

"Nope. Probably only three, but ten sounded more dramatic."

Haley smiled and let the boy in before hurrying back into her nice, comfy bed.

Draco hopped on right next to the girl. "Since it's already well into the morning and you apparently missed your breakfast, I brought you some soup. Just as you did for me when I was sick." Haley smiled again as Draco handed her a thermos. "I decided not to get you a bowl because you're such a slob when you eat and I wouldn't want you to spill all over your bed."

The raven-haired girl scoffed. "Jerk." She shoved Draco on his shoulder before opening the thermos.

Draco smiled at their transaction. Had it been anyone else, he was sure that he wouldn't have let him or her off so easily. In fact, no one else really had the gall to even touch him, believing that he would hex anyone that did on the spot. But to him, Haley was different. And truly did enjoy the bouts they shared when they were all in good fun.

Haley grinned. Her insides were warm with heat of the soup. Or so she liked to think. "You know, this is nice. I think you should bring me breakfast in bed everyday from now on."

Draco scoffed. "You wish. You should feel honored that I'm doing this for you at all. It's completely beneath me."

The girl rolled her green eyes. "And just what makes you so high and mighty?"

"Not only am I rich and drop-dead gorgeous, but apparently I have the intelligence to match."

"Apparently, nothing. Didn't you know, Draco? Looks are deceiving."

"But in my case, dear Haley, they're dead on."

"Ugh…you're so full of yourself."

"And yet, you still love me."

"Love? Draco Malfoy, I have never, in my life, despised a person as much as I do you."

Draco didn't respond. Instead, in one brief moment, he leaned in and kissed Haley on the cheek, leaving the girl in utter surprise. The blonde smiled. "Now Miss Jones, if you truly despised me, why are you blushing?"

Haley snapped out of it and glared at Draco. "I am not blushing. How dare you take advantage of a person who is ill. You're disgusting."

Draco merely continued to smile. "Admit it, Jones. You fancy me."

"I think your cold is returning."

"Well then if I have a cold and you have a cold, I suppose we must take care of each other now, shouldn't we?"

Haley took a final sip of her soup and sighed. "I suppose we shall." She screwed the cap back on the thermos and placed it on her nightstand before sinking back into her bed. "Thank you for the soup."

Draco placed an arm around Haley's shoulders, making the girl snuggle in closer to his body. "You're very welcome."

From under the covers, Haley rolled onto her side and slowly felt herself getting sleeping. "Draco?" she asked lazily.

"Hm?"

"If I weren't who you expected me to be…would you still be my friend?"

The boy was quiet for a moment, mulling over the question. Then, "As long as you're you, I'll always be your friend."

Haley sighed, not really knowing if that answer was a good thing or a bad thing. But after a while, neither could have possibly cared, for they had both fallen asleep.

---

Well after lunchtime, Hermione was reading a book when she heard a tapping on her window. She opened it and in flew Hedwig. The owl dropped a piece of parchment into the girl's hand before flying away. Confused, Hermione opened the parchment and read it.

Hey Hermione. Let me in. Harry

Hermione rolled her eyes at the small command but did as she was told anyway. She made her way through the Gryffindor common room over to the entrance and sure enough, standing outside was her friend.

"Hello, Haley."

"Good morning, Hermione." Haley greeted through her stuffy nose.

"Wow. You sound horrible." Hermione frowned. "Why aren't you in the hospital wing?"

"Because it's just a little cold. I'll be fine. Plus, I wanted to talk to you about something. Can we go to your room?"

"Sure. What about Ron?"

Haley sighed. "Not this time. As dear as Ron is to me, I don't think he'd take what I have to say seriously."

Hermione looked at her friend, worry evident in her eyes. "Harry, what's wrong?" She lowered her voice.

"Can we go to your room?" She repeated. The brunette nodded and turned to head towards her room, Haley trailing behind sniffling every now and again.

When they entered the room, Hermione paused and looked over her friend. "So, what's the matter?" They both took a seat upon the Head Girl's bed.

"Well…nothing's wrong. I just…I guess I reached some sort of epiphany that I just wanted to talk about."

"Go on…"

Haley hesitated. "Apparently…I have come to the conclusion that I have no preference."

"No preference about what?"

"About my sexual orientation."

Hermione blinked. "You mean you're bisexual."

"Not really…to be bisexual, you have to like people of both sexes. And other than Cho Chang, I haven't really found anyone else that I like in that sort of way."

"So basically, you'll like whomever it is you find attractive, no matter what gender?" Haley nodded. Hermione exhaled and looked to the side. "Wow. That's something very strange to learn of one of your best friends."

"You're not disgusted are you?"

Hermione looked back up at her friend. "Of course not! I'm a little surprised, yeah, but you're my best friend Harry, and it doesn't matter to me who you love as long as you're happy."

Haley smiled and hugged her friend. "Thanks 'Mione."

"No problem. So what inspired such a conclusion? Or should I be asking 'who'?"

"It's weird, actually. I was having an argument with Pansy and I just blurted out that I had no preference. And actually thinking about it made me realize that it's the truth."

"So Pansy thinks that Haley has no preference."

The Slytherin nodded.

"And this argument. Is this why you were given a detention for a week?"

Again, she nodded. "But she started it. She provoked me. She should have been given a detention as well. It's not fair. It's all Snape's fault. That man is out to get me, I swear."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Harry. Snape isn't out to get you. You're exaggerating."

The other girl simply crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. "You'd defend anyone that was a professor."

The girls just laughed.

"You know what I just realized?" Hermione said once their laughter had died down.

"What?"

"I haven't seen that much of you since the beginning of this transformation. You've been spending an awfully large amount of time with the Slytherins that you so claim to hate."

"I never said that I hated the Slytherins. Yes, they can be nasty and stuck-up but that gave me no reason to hate them."

"Fair enough. But I do recall you claiming that you hated a particular Slytherin that you don't seem to have a problem with anymore."

Haley blushed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Hermione laughed. "Oh please, Harry. I've seen how close you and Malfoy seem to be getting. I rarely ever see you two apart, even at meals."

Haley's blush only grew deeper. "It's nothing like that. We're only friends."

"Well, you should see Ron. He's getting positively jealous."

"Of what? There's nothing going on."

"I know. But think about it Harry. You and Ron have always been at each other's side since the first day you met. Sure there were rough times but you two always managed to pull through. And suddenly, you're not there anymore."

"But…I'm right here!"

"But instead of Ron at your side, it's Malfoy. The one person Ron can barely stand to be in the same school with."

Haley paused. "Where is Ron?"

Hermione shrugged. "He's probably in his dorm or out in the common room."

"All right. Keep your door unlocked. I'll be right back." And with that, Haley swiftly made her way out of the room into the common room to search for her redheaded friend. When he wasn't in sight, Haley made her way up the stairs to the boys' dormitories. When she reached the door that used to be to her own room, she flung it open, not caring who else might be inside. "Ron?"

"Hey! Girls aren't supposed to be up here." Seamus grinned. He and Dean were playing a game of Wizard's Chess on Seamus' bed. Ron was watching the two, giving tips here and there.

"He has a point you know." Ron said, smirking at his friend.

Haley simply rolled her eyes, but smiled in return. "C'mon Ron. It's time that you and I did a little bonding."

"Hey," Seamus pouted. "What about us? When do we get to bond?"

"Perhaps some other time, Seamus. I'm feeling a little ill."

"I'll hold you to it then." The Irish boy grinned before returning to his game.

Ron followed his friends out the door. "So what's this all about, Harry?" He whispered to the girl.

"It's just as I said."

"What? To bond?"

"Sure."

"Harry, mate. Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm perfectly fine, despite my cold."

The two made their way to Hermione's room, the Head girl still seated on her bed with a book in her hands.

"Hermione. I can't leave you for two seconds without you sticking your nose back into a book, can I?"

The brunette closed her book and tossed a half-hearted glare at the other girl.

"So…we're all here in Hermione's room…to bond."

Haley took a seat next to Hermione on the bed. "Yes."

Ron shook his head. "Women…" He couldn't have possibly ducked in time to avoid two oncoming pillows. With a chuckle, Ron hopped onto Hermione's bed after giving his girlfriend a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Actually, Ron…. I do have something to tell you…" Haley said slowly.

"What? Did Snape finally find the antidote? Are you coming back? Will I not have to worry about the Quidditch game in a few weeks?"

"No, but now you're making me worry." Haley frowned. Again, she had completely forgotten about the Quidditch game that she couldn't possibly play in until Professor Snape found the antidote. And if they had no Seeker, they would have to either find a replacement or forfeit that game entirely.

"Now look what you've gone and done, Ron." Hermione chastised her boyfriend.

"It's not like I did it on purpose."

"All right! Don't start your squabbling just yet, you two." Haley interrupted.

"Right, right. What were you going to say to us, Harry?" Ron asked, hunching over so his arms rested on his legs.

"Actually, Hermione already knows. We were talking about it before I decided to come get you. In fact, I wasn't all too sure if I wanted to tell you at all."

Ron gaped. "What is so serious that I couldn't be informed?"

"I guess I'll take this moment to take a brief walk outside." Hermione interrupted. "Be back in a sec."

"Hermione!" Haley frowned.

"Go on. It'll be all right."

Ron was still looking at Haley, an expectant look in his eye. "Well?"

"Well…" Haley started. She looked over at Hermione who gave her a nod of encouragement, before the brunette went out the door. "It's nothing bad…it's just…"

"It's just what?" Ron asked, confused and a little suspicious.

"I…have no preference…."

"Over what?"

"Men and women…"

Ron only stared on, his expression blank. "What?"

"I have no preference over men and-"

"No, I heard you the first time. What does that mean?"

Haley sighed. "It means…I'm not straight…" Ron gasped at this. Haley quickly added, "That doesn't mean I'm gay either!"

"So what? Are you bi?"

"Not exactly."

"You're gonna have to help me out with this Harry. What does this 'I'm not gay, I'm not straight' bit mean?"

"It means exactly what I said it to be. I have no preference when it comes to the gender of a person I'm interested in. I don't prefer men to women and I can't really say I prefer women to men since the only person I've ever liked was Cho Chang."

"So you don't prefer men. And you don't prefer women…."

"Right. I don't care about gender as long as I care about the person."

Ron still looked confused. "How did you come to this conclusion?"

Haley shook her head. "I don't know. I just thought about it and it fit."

"But how do you know?"

"I haven't really been attracted to any girls since Cho. And I don't ever think I've been attracted to a boy either."

"So why does that have to mean what you think it means? Why can't you just say that none of the girls at this school are attractive to you and that it just means you're a picky straight guy?"

"Because I honestly don't care about gender!" Haley was getting upset with Ron's response. She never expected him to respond in such a manner that made him seem as if he were finding an excuse for his friend's decision. "Honestly, Ron, does it really matter to you if I'm straight? Would you not be my friend if I said I were a poof?"

Ron froze for a moment, his expression intense but still a little confused. Haley feared for the worse. "Harry, I…Of course I'd be your friend! How could you ever doubt such a thing?"

"I just – I don't know…" She looked down at the Gryffindor sheets.

"Harry. It's a little weird, yeah, but just because you can choose from both teams doesn't make you any less my friend."

The girl looked up and couldn't help but chuckle. "That's a nice way of putting it." She replied sarcastically.

Ron was smiling now. "You are my best friend, no matter who you go to bed with."

"Ron!"

"It's true."

Haley smiled. She threw her arms around Ron's neck. "Ronald Weasley, you're the best best friend I could ever have in the whole entire world!" She planted a kiss on her friend's cheek.

"Right, mate. Just please don't tell me you 'prefer' me! 'Mione would throw a fit!"

The two best friends laughed.

"Well, I'm glad that's over with." Hermione said as she came back into her room. "Did you tell him about Malfoy?"

If they could, Ron's eyes would have jumped out of their sockets. "What about Malfoy! Please Harry. Please do not tell me you prefer Malfoy!"

"No! Of course not. What Hermione is referring to is that fact that Malfoy and I are friends."

The redhead groaned. "But…Malfoy?"

"I suppose I should leave again." Hermione said, hurrying back out the door.

"You have to admit, he's been nicer over the years. I've pretty much forgotten the last time he ever truly tormented us."

"True…but Malfoy?"

"He's actually pretty nice when you're on his good side."

"Are we talking about the same Malfoy here?"

"Look. I know we've had history with him, but he's really not that bad. He's actually a pretty good friend. He even brought me soup this morning."

"What? Malfoy brought you soup this morning? Draco Malfoy brought you soup?"

"I know. I would have thought it a crazy notion as well three weeks ago."

Ron sighed and looked at the bed. "Well just tell me one thing then. Just tell me that you don't fancy him and it'll all be all right." The momentary silence struck panic in the blue-eyed boy's heart. "Harry. Please tell me you don't fancy Malfoy."

"I…errr…." The girl looked away.

"Harry!"

"I did tell him that I found him attractive."

"You what?" Ron stared in shock.

"He asked me if I found him disgusting and I couldn't just lie to him…"

"Sure you can. I do it all the time. My mum asks me if I've done my chores, I say 'yes, ma'am.' It's as simple as that."

"Well unlike you, I can't simply lie to a person I'm close to-"

"Now wait a second! Now you're close to him? I thought you were just friends, buddies, pals. Sure you find him attractive but friends are attracted to each other sometimes. But now you're close to him?"

"Ron, you're blowing this out of proportion."

"I don't think I am. Did you or did you not say that you couldn't lie to Malfoy?"

"I did-"

"And did you or did you not just say you could lie to people that you're close to?"

"Well, yes but-"

"Well, enough said! You're close to Malfoy!"

"Ron! Calm down, will you?"

"I am calm!"

"No you're not!"

Ron opened his mouth to say something more, but Haley held up a finger to silence him. The two sat in silence for a moment, eyes locked upon one another.

It was Ron who was first to break the silence. "Just answer me this. Would you still feel the same way if you weren't a girl right now?"

Haley exhaled, looked at her hands before looking back up at her friend. "I honestly don't know. Maybe if the potion changed me into a guy that looks completely different from me and I still had to live with the Slytherins, I might end up feeling the same. But I can't know that for sure because I did change into a girl. A girl that just happened to befriend Draco Malfoy enough to see his good side. And as a boy or a girl, I'd still have to admit that Malfoy is pretty attractive, despite how big of an arse he can be." Ron opened his mouth to say something, but Haley continued on. "I don't fancy him and I don't prefer him. And I might never fancy or prefer him. But right now, he's the greatest friend I could have in a den of Slytherins. And I need to know right now, Ron. If I ever did start fancying or preferring Malfoy or any other person you might not like, would you still be my friend?"

"Of course. I may never understand why you would ever want to prefer him, but if you do, I'll be there by your side, no matter what. That's what best friends are for."

Haley smiled. "Thanks Ron."

Ron stretched his legs and rested his head on his arm. "Why couldn't you prefer someone better…like Seamus or Dean?"

Haley scoffed. "I think they have a preference of their own."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"When it comes to matters of the heart, you're completely and entirely blind to it, Ronald Weasley."

"Speak for yourself, Harry Potter."

"Anyway…next time you're with both of them, pay close attention. They're awfully close. If they're not already, they'll end up being more than friends."

"Well…they are always with each other…and I oftentimes catch Dean staring at Seamus."

"See. I think they already prefer each other."

Ron scoffed. "Next thing you'll tell me is that Lavender and Padma prefer one another."

"You never know. Hormones are flying everywhere in the halls of Hogwarts."

Ron snorted. "Moving on…so what did Hermione think of all this talk about Malfoy? How did she react when you told her you found him attractive?"

"Actually, I didn't tell her."

"Really?" Ron's blue eyes lit up. "I know something Hermione doesn't? That's brilliant!"

"What's brilliant?" Hermione asked, as she entered her room once again.

"Well, I just told Ron that I-"

"No wait! Just let me bask in my superiority for one moment."

"What?" Hermione looked a little confused as she took a seat on the bed beside her boyfriend and best friend.

"He's happy about the fact that he knows something you don't." Haley filled her friend in.

"That I do." Ron said, smugly. "Wow, 'Mione. Is this what it feels like to be you everyday?"

The girl simply shook her head. "Just what is it that he knows that I don't?" She asked Haley.

"Just that-"

"Wait! Just give me another minute or so." Ron interrupted, leaning in so that his head came in between the two girls. Both girls looked annoyed but allowed the minute to pass without interference. When the minute was up, Ron sat back and said very calmly, "Proceed."

Haley shook her head but turned to Hermione. "It's nothing big, really. It's just that…I happened to have told Malfoy that I thought he was a bit attractive. That's all."

"You do?" Hermione stared at her friend incredulously.

"Well, he's not that bad." Haley defended.

"For a smarmy git." Ron mumbled under his breath. The Slytherin chose to ignore the comment.

"I can't argue with you there…"

Ron stared, shocked at his girlfriend. "Hermione!"

"What? I was just going to say that he wouldn't be all that bad to look at if I hadn't ever have known him as the Malfoy I know now."

"You find him attractive, too?" Ron blanched.

"It's not like I'm going to cheat on you with him, Ron."

The redhead rolled his eyes. "Well that's something every boyfriend wants to hear from his girlfriend."

"Anyway." Hermione said, forcefully, as to quiet the other Gryffindor. "As you were saying, Harry."

"It's nothing much. Sure, he has nice features but that doesn't mean I like him or anything in that sort of way. He's just a friend."

"A friend that brings you soup in the morning." The boy said under his breath.

"What? He brought you soup? When?" Hermione asked. She looked somewhat giddy.

"It was nothing. It's because I'm sick. And I had brought some soup to him just the other day-"

"Wait. You brought him soup too?" Ron asked.

"He was sick."

"You never bring me soup when I'm sick."

"You're rarely ever sick, Ron!"

"So what happened after that?" Hermione leaned in.

"Nothing. We just fell asleep."

"We?" Both Gryffindors said at the same time.

Haley covered her face in her hands at her slip.

"What do you mean 'we fell asleep?'" Ron asked, an eyebrow cocked.

"I'm ill. I was tired. I had snapped out of my slumber rather abruptly. I couldn't help but drift off."

"And he was there?" Hermione prodded. Haley simply nodded. "Did he fall asleep in your bed?" Another nod. "Harry!"

"I was under the covers and he was resting on top of them! It's not like we did anything. We just fell asleep."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from my best friend…" Ron shook his head.

"I don't see why I bother telling you two anything…" Haley groaned.

"We believe you when you say nothing happened. We know you're not like that." Hermione reassured the girl. "So what happened when you woke up?"

"What made you such the gossip queen?" The Slytherin questioned her friend.

"For the past seven years, my two best friends have been boys who would never talk about anything like this, especially since one of those boys is my boyfriend."

"What is it with girls and gossip?" Ron frowned, lying back on the bed.

"I'll have you know that boys gossip as much as girls do." The brunette said, matter-of-factly.

"I highly doubt that." Ron replied.

"Weren't you and Harry just talking about Malfoy while I was out?"

"Yes but-"

"And before Harry pulled you out of the dorms, what were you and the other boys in the room talking about?"

"Err…the Patil twins."

"See."

"I hate it when you're right."

Haley blinked. "But she's usually always right."

Ron frowned. "That's right…"

Hermione shook her head. "Go on, Harry."

"I woke up. He was still asleep. He finally woke up, so we got up and went our separate ways. Simple as that."

"Again, I highly doubt that." The redhead added.

"It was already past lunch time so he said he was hungry and I decided to come over here. And that's it. I swear. You two make it out to be more than what it is."

The two Gryffindors laughed, only serving to make Haley shake her head once more.

"Wait. Harry you're sick." Hermione started.

"That's rather rude, don't you think?" Ron chuckled.

"You know what I mean." The Head girl chided. "I meant, you're ill. And you've only had some soup to eat?"

"Well, I just woke up and I came right here."

"Then we should get you something to eat. I'm sure Dobby wouldn't mind seeing you either."

"I suppose. I am getting hungry, now that you mention it."

"Right, and I could do with some cheesecake." Ron grinned. "Let's go."

The trio hopped off the bed and proceeded to make their way to the kitchens. The trip itself was fairly uneventful, filled with the sounds of Hermione and Ron's chatter and Haley's sniffles here and there.

"Have you two ever heard of a guy named Leir Valex?" Haley asked.

"No…" Ron said.

"I have." Hermione replied. "He's one of Lavender's and Pavarti's guys they totally find attractive. He's also supposed to be pretty smart. Why?"

"I don't know. I met him yesterday. I never even knew he went here. It made me sort of realize that being in Gryffindor all these years, I've seen mostly the same people in my house and I've passed by the same people in the corridors. But having my schedule change and my house change, I see different people whom I may have never seen in all the time I'll be at Hogwarts."

"You do have a point. I can't really name more than ten people I know and interact with in Ravenclaw." Ron added. "Maybe we should change that."

When they approached the painting of the bowl of fruit, Ron did the honors and tickled the pear. The painting swung open as the three entered the kitchens. They were soon bombarded with numerous offerings from the house-elves. Hermione and Haley passed on the various snacks while Ron snatched up all that he could. The Head girl frowned at her boyfriend, knowing of the stomachache that was sure to follow.

Being in front of the other two, Hermione and Ron paused after their friend had, looking up at what she was staring at.

"Hello Malfoy." Hermione greeted the boy sitting at a table. Ron simply frowned while Haley continued to stare.

"Granger. Haley, shouldn't you be resting?"

"I…err…" the girl started.

Ron leaned in towards the girl's ear. "Your man's concerned. You should answer."

Haley responded by hitting the redhead in the ribs with her elbow. "I was hungry."

Draco merely watched her and Ron's transaction with a cocked eyebrow.

"Haley Jones!"

All four darted their attention to one particular house-elf who was currently charging towards Haley to give her a hug. Haley smiled. "Hello Dobby."

"Dobby has not see Haley Jones in a long time!" The elf smiled. He leaned in. "Dobby heard of what happened in potions. Dobby sorry for Harry Potter."

"Ummm…thank you Dobby."

"Haley Jones and friends must sit down." The elf took Haley's hand and sat her next the Draco. The other two sat across from them. "What is it that Haley Jones is hungry for?" Dobby said, excitedly.

"Hey Dobby. I could go for some cheesecake." Ron said around the mouthful of apple he had been given by another elf.

"Ron! He was asking Haley." Hermione chastised.

"It's quite all right, Hermione Granger. Anything to satisfy the friends of Harry Potter." He winked at Haley, causing the girl to stiffen and glance over at Draco. He didn't seem to have noticed, although his expression seemed to have shifted at the name of his nemesis.

"So, Draco…what're you still doing here? I thought you'd be finished eating by now." Haley said, trying to grab the boy's attention.

"I am. I was just talking to Dobby."

"Yes. Draco Malfoy was good to Dobby. Dobby friends with Draco."

Ron scoffed. "Malfoy good?" Four pairs of eyes glared at the redhead.

"Ron Weasley should not speak badly of Draco Malfoy." Dobby defended.

"He didn't mean it, Dobby." Hermione soothed. She tossed her boyfriend another glare. "I think we should be off."

"What? We just got here." Ron pouted, his fork hanging from his mouth from having taken a bite out of his cheesecake.

"You've had quite enough to eat."

"But what about Haley?"

"She'll be fine. Let's go." Hermione stood and pulled Ron up by his arm.

"Guys-" Haley started.

"I need to stop him before he gets out of control." Hermione said, still dragging her boyfriend.

"I will have you know that I have complete control over – hey! That looks good." Ron picked up a sandwich a house-elf was trying to offer him.

"See what I mean? I'll see you later, Haley. Bye Dobby, goodbye Malfoy."

Ron waved as best he could with a plate of cheesecake in one hand and a sandwich in the other. "Goodbye, Haley. Don't do anything I-"

Hermione just smiled, having blocked Ron's mouth from finishing his statement. Both were out the door, leaving Haley alone with Draco. Haley was alone with Draco. Again.

"You should eat something, Haley." The blonde said to the girl.

"Huh? Oh yeah. I guess…I'll just have some bread."

"You haven't eaten all day. Dobby, bring Haley some chicken and potatoes."

"I'm really not that hungry."

"But you're all skin and bones."

"But just last night you said I was heavy."

The Head boy rolled his eyes. "I was lying, Jones."

"I wasn't. You're fat."

The two just laughed as Dobby arrived with Haley's food. Apparently, the elf agreed with the Head boy on Haley's weight and piled a large amount of chicken and potatoes on her plate. "Eat up, Haley Jones. Grow strong."

"I…thanks, Dobby." The house-elf beamed before dashing off to join the other house-elves with various chores.

"So how do you know Dobby?" Draco asked.

"I've been down here before." At least that wasn't a complete lie. Harry had in fact been there during his forth year with Hermione. "I met him and we became friends."

"Really? By the way Dobby talks about you, you'd think you've known him for years."

Haley shrugged and took in a spoonful of her mashed potatoes. "What about you? You and Dobby seem pretty close."

"He used to work for my family up until my second year in Hogwarts. Dobby was the one I'd talk to when my parents had dinner parties or whatever that I was too young to attend."

"Hm." Haley didn't realize how hungry she really was until she started on her third drumstick. Even a large portion of her potatoes had been finished off.

"So what were you doing here with Granger and Weasley?"

"Hermione suggested that I eat something since I missed breakfast and lunch and because all I've really had to eat today was some soup."

"Is that who you went off to see when you woke up?" The girl nodded. "Why?"

"What do you mean 'why?' Hermione's my friend. I'm allowed to see her and tell her things."

"Like what?"

"Like none of your business." She blew a raspberry at her friend before continuing with her chicken.

"Are you saying that there's something you can say to Granger that you can't say to me?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"Then it must be about me."

Haley almost choked on her chicken. She took a swig of her pumpkin juice and faced Draco who had a smug look on his face. "And why must it be about you?"

"Because you usually talk to me about everything. But if you were talking about me and how much you like me, then of course you wouldn't tell me. You'd go straight to your next friend which is what you did."

"Ugh. You're so arrogant and full of yourself. Just because I usually talk to you about everything doesn't mean I do tell you everything. And I was not talking about you with Hermione."

"Mm-hmm. And just what were you talking about that you couldn't tell me?"

"If you must know, oh nosy one, we were talking about Leir." Again, not entirely false.

"Leir? Leir Valex?" Haley nodded. "What? Do you fancy him or something?"

"No, that would be Ethan."

Draco flinched. "You're not serious are you?"

"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's just something that's between myself and Hermione and that's none of your business." Haley spun back to resume eating.

Draco was silent for a while. He watched the girl finish her meal and top off her pumpkin juice before saying anything more. "Do you fancy Maxwell?"

The girl looked at her friend. "Does it matter?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Just answer the question."

"Right after you tell me why it matters." The blonde remained quiet while Haley just looked at him expectantly. "Well if you're not going to reply, then I don't see why I have to reply. And because I'd much rather be relaxing in the common room, I will be off." She stood up and looked over to where the house-elves were. "Goodbye, Dobby. I'll see you on Christmas if not sooner."

The elf walked over to her. "Must you go, Haley Jones?"

She nodded. "I'm getting a little tired. Bye, Dobby."

"Goodbye Haley Jones."

Haley looked back at Draco who was still watching her intently. "Later, Draco." She waved at the boy who didn't respond. She simply spun around and headed back towards the dungeons.

"You don't think she likes him, do you Dobby?" Draco asked, looking at where Haley had disappeared.

"It is not Dobby's place to say…" The elf replied. "But Dobby very much doubts it, sir."

Draco looked at his former elf and smiled. "Thank you, Dobby. I'll see you some other time."

"Goodbye, Draco Malfoy."

The Slytherin gave the elf a curt nod before following Haley's path towards the common room.

'She can't like him…' The blonde thought. 'Maxwell's an arse. And a lying scumbag.' He spun the ring he received from Haley on his finger, a growing habit of his for whenever he was deep in thought. 'I'm supposed to protect her, and protect her I shall…' He sighed. 'I swear, I've seen her somewhere before…her attitude is so familiar…and her eyes…' Draco shook his head. He had already arrived at the entrance. He mumbled the password and stepped on through into the common room. There he saw Haley lying down on one of the couches with an arm draped over her eyes. He made his way over and sat down next to her head.

Haley didn't have to move. She knew exactly who it was.

"You told me that I'm supposed to protect you. And though I don't question your judgment of character entirely, I do completely question his morals." Draco explained. "I'm just looking out for my friend."

Haley was quiet for a moment to let his words sink in. Slowly, she moved her arm off of her eyes. "No…I don't fancy Ethan." This earned a smirk from the boy. "And before you say anything else," she quickly added. "I don't fancy you either."

Draco scoffed, but his smile remained. "Oh. By the way, Jones. I lied back there."

"About what?"

Draco paused. "You are fat."

Haley rolled her eyes before placing her arm back over them. "Not half as much as you are…"

Draco chuckled before letting the silence settle in. No more words needed to be spoken for now, for they were both quite content just by knowing that the other was there.

Author's Notes/Disclaimer: Why bother? If you don't know by now, you'll never know.

And as for notes, I hope you like this unusually long one. Chapter nine wasn't really supposed to end where it did but it sounded like a good place to end. It was actually supposed to end somewhere in this chapter, I suppose. And this chapter was supposed to end somewhere as well, but it didn't seem fit to cut it anywhere so I just kept it extra long. Not that you mind entirely.

There were parts that I wanted to cut out. I didn't know if I really wanted the trio to talk about what they were talking about. I wasn't sure if I really wanted Ron there, like it says but I thought he should know being the best friend and all. I didn't know I was going to put a kitchen scene but when they said that Haley should eat, all I could picture was Draco sitting at a table talking to Dobby as the trio walked in so I tossed it in there. The reason why Hermione leaves the room when Ron and Haley are talking is because I didn't know what else to do with her. When there's three of them, all who have something to say, it's a little hard to sort that all out. It's easier when there's only two. So I kicked her out of her own room. Twice. Same reason goes for why Ron and Hermione leave Haley and Draco alone in the kitchens. And no. Haley doesn't fancy anyone right now. But she will. Muahahaha...

Thanks for reading.