Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling and everybody officially related to HP! I just have the plot and use her characters to play with.
Authors's Note: Wow! I've been gone forever, haven't I? I truly apologize for this very long gap, but I had a lot to do. I am taking a very important exam this January and I've been preparing for that. Been very busy. I wasn't planning on writing before then at all. But, I need to finish 5 papers by the end of next week before my finals but I just couldn't concentrate. And I had so many ideas for this chapter swirling in my head, I needed to get it out!
P.S. You guys have been so amazing. Thank you so much for sticking around. Everytime I get an email about a review or favorites or follows, it just makes my day better. Literally. Also, there hasn't been 0 views for any day at all, since I posted the first chapter of this story. I couldn't believe me eyes. Thank you everyone so much again!
P.P.S. I don't have enough time to thank each reviewer today. Please know that I appreciate each and everyone of you, even if you don't leave a review. I might PM every reviewer individually later.
Lots of love, -M.
**Draco**
Draco panicked as soon as he realized it was Harry that he'd been talking to this whole time. He'd shared so many things things with J, thinking he's doing so with a stranger that wouldn't be able to judge him, that suddenly knowing it was Harry who knew all his secrets was overwhelming. He needed to sit and think this through. His heart was thumping like it'd never done before and he didn't like the feeling. He knew he'd over analyze and over think it, if he were to wallow in this alone. So, the only other option was his godfather, Uncle Sev. He looked around to find his uncle, who was monitoring the hall alone from a corner, before making a beeline towards him.
"Uncle Sev! We have a problem. Can we talk? Now? Please?"
"Of course, Draco. Is everything alright? Come on, this way."
He was led back to the same abandoned classroom, where he had Polyjuiced into Harry. He slumped down on a desk before letting out a huge sigh of exasperation.
"Draco? Whats the matter? I thought you were going out to meet Harry?"
"Well, yes. But then I panicked… Wait! How do you know I was going to meet Harry? I was going to meet J.."
"Who turned out to be Harry, I know"
"But how? How did you know? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he told me about your internet chats just the way you did, right from the beginning of the term. I've always known. But it was not my place to tell you. He trusted me enough to confide in me, just like you did."
"B.. but I'm your godson!"
"And he's almost like a son to me too. How would you feel, Draco, if I'd told it was you to Harry?"
"Well.. when you say it that way.. I guess it makes sense."
"Hmm.. Now what was so important that you dragged me here?"
"I-I just went out, all ready to meet J, my internet friend, and I find Harry sitting there. I thought nothing of it, firstly as Harry had asked me to be there. And I'd almost forgotten what I looked like. So, imagine my surprise when I call Harry, he replies with 'M?'. After that it all came crashing down, Uncle Sev. I-I didn't know what to do. I'd shared so many things to this person and it turned out to be Harry. I mean, I should've known it was Harry since I found out he went to Hogwarts too, you know. He'd told me how people followed him everywhere and how he'd gotten mobbed by the press over the summer. The signs were all there and yet I was too oblivious to notice what was right in front of me. And then I panicked. And I came running here… So, yeah. That's what happened."
Severus thought for a minute and asked carefully, "Are you upset that its Harry?"
"Hmm.. no. I don't think so. Not really. He's not only the one I love but he's also my best friend, in two ways now. He knows almost everything there is to know about me now… Actually, I think I'm kind of glad that it was Harry. But he'll be mad at me."
"Why'd he be mad at you?" Severus asked incredulously
"He already accused me of trying to befriend him to get to the newspapers. I was the first person he suspected M to be when he found out I go to Hogwarts too, even though I had no idea what he was talking about, at that time."
"But his opinion of you has changed vastly, Draco. He doesn't hate you anymore. You two are friends. Almost best of friends."
"It wouldn't take too long for him to go back to hating me. He's got trust issues."
"He won't hate you unless you give a really good reason to do so."
"I don't know what to do. He must be out there looking for M. And then when he doesn't find me, than he'll go looking for me, Draco, his date for the night."
"Talk to him. Tell him the truth, Draco."
"Now?"
"Yes. The longer you put this off, the more he'll feel betrayed later when he finds out."
"Okay. I think you're right."
"Good. Lets go back then."
"Have I changed back yet?"
"Completely."
"I just hope Harry takes this easily and then I can hit my bed. I feel exhausted from all the running already."
"You're right. I've had enough drama for the night anyway." Severus chuckled.
He could not have been anymore wrong.
**Harry**
Harry followed, who he was sure to be M, into the Great Hall, but he could not find the somehow familiar looking black haired person anywhere. He wasn't sure if he'd seen that person somewhere, what with his face covered in mask, but when he ran away, he felt like he'd seen that hair somewhere. He walked around glancing left and right to see if he could spot any black haired guy that looked out of place. All he could find was happy couples around him. With a sigh that he'd lost his internet friend, he looked around to find Draco. He was nowhere to be seen either. At least Draco's blond hair should've been easier to spot in the middle of dancing bodies, but he wasn't there at all. He remembered asking Draco to meet outside the Entrance Hall. Shaking his head for being forgetful, he made his way towards the door. As he passed the dark alcoves along the wall, he heard some heated whispers and frantic snogging? Craning his head to see who was there, he saw it was Pansy Parkinson. She must know where Draco went, he thought. But as he neared what he assumed to be Pansy and Blaise, he saw a flash of familiar red hair and stopped in his tracks. Was that really Pansy making out with Ron? He ducked into the shadows to figure out what was going on here. Maybe someone slipped them Love Potion, he thought. He inched closer to hear what they were whispering about.
"Did you dump him yet?", said the familiar voice of Ron.
"No. Not yet. I'll create a huge scene in the middle of the Great Hall in a while."
Ron laughed. "I can't wait to see stupid Zabini's face when he realizes you're with me now."
Harry stood there gobsmacked as he listened to Pansy's betrayal to Blaise. He'd never felt too comfortable around that girl. But he'd ignored his instinct that was telling him not to trust the girl. He should've known better than to do that. With that in mind, he thought over what he should do next. He couldn't let Blaise be humiliated in the middle of the Great Hall, in front of everyone. He'd come to think of him as a good friend, and he was Draco's best friend. Maybe telling him directly of his girlfriend's betrayal might not be a good idea. He decided to tell Draco first and then they could both tell Blaise. Now if only Draco could be found nearby…
Harry looked everywhere outside the Entrance Hall and inside the Great Hall but he could not find a trace of the blond Slytherin. He found Blaise however, and decided to just tell him before Pansy got to him first.
"Hey Blaise"
"Hi Harry. Where's Draco? I thought he was your date?"
"Oh! I was hoping you could tell me where Draco was. We had decided to meet outside the Entrance Hall. He said he'd be there in few minutes but he never showed up."
"That's odd. I'll keep you company while you wait for Dray then."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"No problem, Harry. Is everything alright? You seem anxious."
"I.. Yeah. I need to tell you something, Blaise."
"Alright. Go on! I'm listening."
"Do.. do you love Pansy?"
"Yeah, sure. But not in the way you're asking."
"What do you mean?"
"Pansy's just a friend. A very good friend, but just a friend."
"I thought she was your girlfriend?"
"She was. But I'm gay. I wasn't too sure about coming out but I was determined to do it, when you announced yourself as gay to everyone."
"Then why are you two still together?"
"I didn't want to. But Pansy said she wouldn't have any date at the last minute, for the ball. And I decided to tag along. Just for the night. But we're done. Why are you asking all this? Is everything alright?"
"Not really. I-I just saw and overheard Pansy with Ron. They.. well, they were snogging outside. Apparently she's been with him for some time now and wants to humiliate you and create a scene in the middle of the Great Hall sometime tonight. I had to warn you, before she caught you by surprise. I'm so sorry, mate."
"Are you absolutely sure, Harry?"
"Definitely. I stood in the shadows to listen. I saw Pansy. I thought it was you two, and wanted to ask if you'd seen Draco, but then I saw Ron and decided to snoop around a bit."
"I can't believe she'd do this to me. We've been friends forever. I thought she understood me. She'd been distant lately but I chucked it up to her not wanting to be around me."
"I'm sorry, Blaise."
"Its alright. Thanks, Harry. At least now I'll be prepared when she comes to me."
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
Before Blaise could reply, however, Pansy made her way towards them, Ron right behind her, trying and failing to pull off a smirk. It looked more like a smiling grimace, if that's even possible.
One second Ron and Blaise were glaring murder at each other, and the next, they were fighting, rolling on top of each other, throwing punches left and right, not caring about how much trouble they'd into. Almost everyone in the Great Hall were now staring at two. Harry tried to pull back, with no result at all. He'd gotten a rather vicious punch on his jaw. The best he'd done so far was to cast Expelliarmus and collect both their wands so they wouldn't curse each other off.
He'd never felt so relieved as he did when he saw Severus and Draco making their way towards them, through the throngs of crowd. Hagrid had gotten their soon after and he'd pried the two fighting boys apart swiftly.
"What is going on here?" Severus snarled.
"Zabini was provoked. By Weasley." someone from the crowd said meekly.
"Draco, take Mr. Potter to the hospital wing and get his jaw fixed. Weasley. Zabini. Follow me to the Headmistress's office. You may go to the nurse later."
Everyone started to disperse as they felt Snape's glare around the room. He then led the two fighting boys away.
"Are you okay?" Draco asked him concerned.
"Yeah. Lets go to the hospital wing? I'll tell you on the way."
"Okay. Lets go."
On the way to the hospital wing, Harry relayed what he'd overheard and what had happened afterwards to Draco. He was furious at Pansy.
Soon after Harry was realized from Madam Pomfrey's care, they slowly made their way back towards their common room. They'd decided they didn't want to go back to the dance after all.
"So, where did you disappear during the dance? I looked for you everywhere, you know." Harry asked as they climbed through the portrait into the common room.
"I-I had to talk to Uncle Sev about something. Something important and urgent."
"Oh? Its not about your parents, is it?"
"No. But I'm not ready to tell you yet. I will, some time later. Just not now. I'm so tired." Draco claimed.
"Okay then."
"I might just go to bed. Night Harry."
"Night, Draco."
With that, Draco pulled the curtains around his four poster bed and pulled out his computer to write an email to Harry. He knew, he was being a coward, taking the easy way out, but he didn't want to face the wrath of the Gryffindor.
On the other side of the room, Harry pulled the curtains around his bed similarly and pulled out his computer too. He was thinking of writing a rather long email to M, demanding he better explain why'd flee so fast, when he saw M was actually online. Harry messaged M, interrupting Draco in the middle of the email, he was supposed to be writing.
J: That was you, wasn't it?
M: Err… Yeah. Sorry.
J: Why'd you run off? I'd been looking forward to meeting you.
M: I was scared you'd hate me.
J: Why would I hate you?
M: You've always kind of hated me, Harry. We were never in good terms.
J: But I haven't been hostile to anyone, this year.
M: Yeah, well. I kinda forgot about that. I only realized later.
J: Will you meet me now then?
M: Errr...
J: I swear I don't hate anybody at the moment. Unless you're Pansy Parkinson or Ron Weasley?
M: No. I'm not either of them. I-I just don't know how to show you who I am.
J: Alright. Answer my one question. Are you in 7th year? Or 8th year?
M: 8th year.
J: You're obviously not at the ball. And I'm in my room too. So, meet me in the 8th years common room. Now.
M: That won't be necessary. Also anyone can walk in at anytime in the common room.
J: So, what do you propose we do then? Where do we meet?
M: … I kind of like the privacy of our room.
J: If only you'd tell me who you are, I could come into your room, or you could come into mine.
M: Harry!
J: What?
M: I said I like the privacy of OUR ROOM!
J: Huh? What do you mean?
M: Open your curtains, you prat!
Harry opened his curtains wide, thoroughly confused. He looked up from the screen to see Draco waving at him, his curtains open wide too. His eyes opened up wide in realization.
J: Draco?
M: Yes, Harry.
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