After our conversation in Transfig, the atmosphere between us was significantly more easy, but I still felt I owed him a debt. I'd hurt him, of that at least, I was sure. I have to make it up to him. God, I feel like a dick. Damn Hermione and her rightness about everything!

We walked to the Great Hall together, but our fingers didn't intertwine this time.

"So," Draco cleared his throat as I looked up at him. "You're going to tryouts after dinner?"

"That's the plan. I'm honestly not sure how long they'll take, but I'll meet you in the common room after?"

"Sure." He smiled at me just as we were settling into our (now) usual spots at the Gryffindor table.

"Harry. Draco," Hermione greeted us, eyeing Harry suspiciously.

"Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Neville," Harry greeted all parties present, and I offered a shy nod.

As we began our meal, I noticed the brunette to my left was deep in thought, and frowning at his food. I wasn't sure if I should say anything, however. If he's still agonizing over how I don't see him as an equal, I still don't know what to say. God, this is frustrating. I wish I knew how to ease his mind.

I wonder if anyone sees me as an equal. Probably not, considering my past… A shock passed through me as I realized, Harry worries what others think of him just as much as I worry what they think of me. Jeesh, I know we're similar, but it's a little eerie at times. Still, as similar as we are, there's no way we could ever be equals. Not when I fucked up so bad and he literally saved the world.

"Trouble in paradise?" Seamus commented, noting our silence. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harry cast him a scathing glance and Seamus blanched.

"It's nothing like that. I've just got a lot on my mind."

"My bad, I-I didn't mean to…" He cleared his throat, and I cocked an eyebrow as I wondered, Do people fear Harry, too? For completely different reasons, for sure, but it's not like I can blame them. He does have some fearsome power.

"Harry's worried nobody-" Hermione started to interject.

"Hermione! Must we?" I hesitantly glanced over to see her roll her eyes.

"Honestly, Harry, for you to worry about the opinions of others at this point…"

"I don't! It's not about their 'opinions,' it's about their treatment of me. And it's not just 'others,' it's you guys, too. Tell me, does anyone at this table - besides Hermione - feel like equals with me? Hm?" He glanced around at our faces, and I ducked my head.

"Well… You can't blame us for looking up to you, Harry," Neville intoned bashfully.

"That's not what I mean."

"I do," Ron muttered.

"Hermione's right, Harry." Seamus interjected. "Who cares what other people think about you?"

"It matters when it's people close to me. All I did was what I had to do, and for some reason now everyone's lips are on my arse?"

My eyes flew open in shock. All I did was what I had to do, and now everyone's got it out for me. Oh shit…

"Nobody here's lips are on your arse," Hermione scoffed. "Well… Save one…" She implied cheekily. My warm face grew hotter.

"Mione!" Harry accused. Hermione's 'What? I'm sorry, okay?' was lost in the collective groans of everyone else as I covered my brow with a hand.

Just great. Thanks, Hermione.

"Look, it doesn't matter if everyone thinks you're God's favorite or the scum of the Earth. Your decisions define you, not your tabloid potential or the public opinion about you."

The entire table was stunned silent as something akin to wisdom came from Ron's mouth. Harry subtly straightened as we all stared at the redhead. He took another bite of pasta before realizing the attention he'd earned from us.

"What?" He asked around his mouthful, casting a confused glance from face to face.

"Ron's right," Hermione agreed. The Gryffindor in question immediately choked on his food, and was sent into a coughing fit for a moment.

"Excuse me?" He asked, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

"Oh, chew your food, Ronald," she chastised before turning back to Harry. "He's right, though. You're deciding to let others' treatment of you get to you. Your character isn't subject to anyone's opinions, even mine. You are who you choose to be."

Silently, Harry turned back to his food. The next bite he took was frustrated. I could see him wrestling with himself internally, and wanted for all the world to ask what was going through his head, but… He'll probably tell me next time we're alone.

This thought sent another wave of shock through me. I guess… I am privy to some private parts of him that the others aren't. I already know plenty about him no one else knows.

The embarrassed flush in my cheeks turned to a pleased warmth, and I felt Harry's green eyes glance at me.

The subject wasn't touched again for the rest of our meal.

'It is our choices that show what we truly are' Dumbledore had said. How could I forget that? I'm so stupid…

As Draco and I exited the Great Hall, I had a million and one thoughts to share with him, but no coherency to voice them. I've got to figure out what I'm going to say before we meet up later tonight…

"You're… Off to tryouts, then?" He asked as I subconsciously turned toward the Quidditch pitch. I halted, and turned to face him. Again, regret twisted my heart.

"I'm… Really sorry, Draco. I feel like a petulant child, taking out my frustration on you," I decided to say. He shoved his hands in his pockets and blushed at the floor.

"I don't blame you, really. I know you want me to, but…" He offered a small smile up at me. "I… I think I sort of understand your situation. It's aggravating to have the public opinion of you based on something you couldn't control."

My cinched brow relaxed as I returned his smile.

"Thanks. It's… Really nice to have someone understand me as well as you do."

His cheeks darkened slightly, and I couldn't resist pulling his face toward mine and kissing him. Predictably, my pulse accelerated in my veins.

"I'll see you tonight," he uttered against my lips after our kiss ended. Nervousness and excitement flooded adrenaline into my blood at the thought, but I only grinned at him.

"Can't wait."