Chapter 20

Disclaimer: Harry & Co. belong to J.K. Rowling, blah, blah, blah, blah, etc, etc…

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No love ain't the question and love ain't the answer
For two head-strong people too set in our ways
We can't stay apart and we can't stay together
A couple of misfits that love cannot save

We've got love for giving and got love for taking
But there's no forgiving, there's no giving in
So love ain't the question and love ain't the answer
From the beginning it was destined to end

Billie Jo Spears - Love Ain't the Question (Love Ain't the Answer)

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When school reconvened on Tuesday Harry didn't bother to go down to the dock and watch everyone return. He sat in the common room silently staring at the fire surrounded by a very concerned Ron and Hermione. They kept asking him to talk to them about his problem. But he stayed there without speaking. Other than meals, which he reluctantly picked at, he had been there since his vision on Saturday. They finally gave up, leaving Harry in peace, but every morning they'd return, faces full of worry for their friend.

Harry ignored them. Maybe it was a false vision he thought. Maybe I'm just worrying for nothing since he went away for the Easter weekend. Hiding up here won't solve anything, he decided. Ron and Mione are going mad with worry. Even if my world is crumbling I should put on a brave face for them.

"I'm sorry I worried you guys," Harry said getting up and stretching. "That dream from the other night just seems to be hanging on. Why don't we go to breakfast?"

"Harry, if it was that bad, don't you think you should go see Dumbledore?" asked Hermione. "I was thinking about getting McGonagall because you were so upset."

"I don't think there's anything he can do about this one Mione," Harry said sadly. "Sorry I was so bad."

"Harry, we don't care if you're upset. We just want you to talk to us about it. We want to help," said Ron.

"I'll do that from now on. I promise," said Harry, knowing that he wouldn't say anything about this to anyone.

The three of them made their way down together chatting about Quidditch, and ideas to prank the Slytherins. Ron suggested they put a filibuster firework into Snape's underwear drawer, which made them all laugh. Harry did his best to be cheerful, but he was still distracted.

During breakfast Harry talked animatedly with Ron and Hermione trying not to look over at Draco at all. Piling a bit of everything on his plate he appeared to be eating enthusiastically, but in reality he was just pushing everything around on his plate in the same way he had all weekend. Hermione looked at him with a frown, and made a point to catch him alone later.

The three of them went to potions, walking into the room just as the bell rang.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for tardiness," said Snape's voice from the front of the classroom. "Now I'm sure you're all feeling really lazy after the long holiday, but I won't put up with any slacking. The directions for today's potion are on the board. If I find anyone not doing their share they'll find themselves in detention for a week with me." At this he looked pointedly at Harry.

After a pause he continued, "Today we'll be working in pairs. So the pairs I've set up are…"

Harry ignored the groups that Snape was listing until he came to his own name.

"Malfoy, and Potter," he said.

Harry gave Snape the look of death and walked over to where Malfoy was standing. How did that man know exactly when he didn't want to work with the Slytherin? He must have some sort of internal sensor or something.

Tossing his bag on the floor he slid into the seat opposite Draco. Pulling out his notes, and ingredients he looked at the other boy for direction. Draco looked at him with a hidden smile, and affection shone from his eyes.

Harry looked down quickly and felt his heart breaking. He would need to talk to Draco about this as soon as possible. He shouldn't just assume the worst. Pulling out a scrap of parchment he scratched a line across it in his messy handwriting.

It said, "Meet me in our room. First free period."

He didn't even bother to put their nicknames on it or anything. Knocking a bottle of powdered dragon scales off the table he snuck it into Draco's bag. Standing up, he glared at the other boy and nearly meant it.

Draco made it to their room first since it was closer from the charms classroom. He sat down and relaxed on the sofa. Harry walked in shortly after and stalked over to the Slytherin without saying a word. Draco had stood up to meet him, but saw the look in his eye, and knew something was terribly wrong.

Harry pulled away from the hug, and grabbed his arm instead. Without a word he ripped the sleeve of the blonde's shirt up to the elbow. There staring him right in the face was the Dark Mark branded into Draco's skin. Turning on his heel he walked toward the door.

"Wait, Harry let me explain," Draco said grabbing his arm, and holding him back.

"I told you before you left that if you got the mark we're through, Malfoy," Harry said flatly and pulled his arm out of the other boy's grasp. He hoped Draco didn't hear his voice wavering.

"I didn't have a choice Harry. My father came to get me on Thursday, and I had to go with him. You have to understand, I didn't want it."

"There's always a choice Draco," Harry whispered. "I told you that in the very beginning. You know I can't trust you while you have that brand on your arm."

Harry walked out slamming the door behind him as he left.

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"Red Lion," he told the Fat Lady, and stormed up to his bedroom. Flinging himself onto the bed he dissolved into tears. He skipped the remainder of his classes, pulling the curtains around his bed and trying to deal with what had happened.

He could manage without Draco. He had done fine before they became friends, and then lovers. He could go back to how it had been before. Lying there in the dark he stared up at the ceiling and tried to forget the last six months of his life.

Ron and Hermione hurried up the stairs as quickly as they could. Harry hadn't been to any classes, and they were worried about him, especially since he had been so distant lately.

"Harry, are you here?" Ron called seeing the curtains pulled around Harry's bed.

"Go away," called a muffled voice from behind the curtain.

"But…"

"Just go away, Ron."

Ron walked down to the common room and told Hermione what had happened.

"Let me try and talk to him alone," she asked her boyfriend.

"Hermione, it's the boys' dorm."

"It's not like I'm going up there to jump Harry or anything. I want to talk to him."

"What makes you think he'll talk to you? He won't talk to me, and I'm his best friend," Ron grumbled.

"At least let me try."

Ron reluctantly led Hermione up the stairs and let her into the dorm. She stepped in, making sure the red haired boy made his way back to the common room.

"Harry…" she began.

"I thought I told you to get out, Ron. I want to be alone."

"It's Hermione."

"Well, you can leave as well."

"Harry I'm not leaving until you talk to me. Is this about Malfoy? I noticed you wouldn't even look at him during breakfast, or during potions. Then you skip half your classes along with lunch, to hide up here in your room. Please talk to me. Ron and I are really worried."

Harry pulled his curtains open, and Hermione saw that his eyes were red, and his face was covered with tear tracks. She walked forward, and pulled him into her arms. Rocking him gently she placed a kiss on his cheek.

She brushed his hair out of his eyes and said, "I was worried this might end badly. Why don't you tell me what's going on?"

"Well you're always right Mione, Harry laughed cynically. "It happened like this…" he started.

Harry told her about the dream he had on Saturday night, and how real it had been. He told her that he hoped it was a false vision, and tried not to condemn Draco before he was certain.

"It was so real Mione…" he sobbed into her shoulder, finding that he did have tears remaining. "I felt so betrayed."

She whispered consoling words into his ear and tried not to say anything disparaging. With Malfoy's family history she felt that this was going to be the outcome of their relationship, but she didn't want to point out that Harry should have prepared for this. He had been so happy the past few months, and she didn't want to ruin it for him.

"Today I met him in our room, and I couldn't let him touch me until I knew," he continued. "If he had, I would've stayed with him, not giving a damn whether he was a Death Eater or not. I couldn't put us in that kind of danger Mione."

Harry wiped his eyes, and went on, "I grabbed his arm and ripped his sleeve. It was right there just as I saw it in my dream. He tried to say something about not having a choice, but that's just a lie. I would have protected him Mione! Dumbledore would have protected him!"

Harry put his face in his hands. "Why did he do it? Why?!"

"What are you going to tell Ron?" Hermione asked.

"What is there to tell?" Harry said. "It's all over."

She stood up and walked to the door. "I'll just tell him you're having romantic problems. I won't say who, but I'll let him know that it's over, and that's why you're upset. Will that work?"

"Sure."

"Want us to go get you some dinner from the kitchens? You don't look like you're up for it."

Harry looked up at her, a smile slowly appearing on his face. "That'd be great. Thanks Mione…for everything."

She smiled at her best friend, and walked back downstairs.

Ron bounded upstairs before Hermione finished explaining what was going on.

"Why couldn't you tell me about this?" he asked somewhat irritated that his best friend didn't want to share with him.

"We were keeping it a secret, Ron. He'd be in danger if anyone knew I like him. Just like you are Hermione are in danger. I can't seem to get rid of you two though," Harry gave a small half-smile. "Now, please I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"He??" asked Ron gaping at his friend.

"Yes…he. That's another reason why I never said anything."

"Hell mate I don't care if you're going after all the guys in Hogwarts or the girls either. Just don't start shagging Malfoy, that's too gross to imagine," Ron made a face.

Harry laughed sarcastically, "I don't think that'll happen Ron." Harry could feel his heart breaking. No, he would never be with Draco…ever again. Plastering a smile on his face one lone tear ran down his cheek.

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