Penname: Page of Cups
Email: AndromedanPrincess@hotmail.com
Title: Everything Changes
Pairing: Draco Malfoy/Ron Weasley
Rating: R
Summary: No, he doesn't know how to knock. Especially not on his own dormitory.
Chapter Ten: "Don't You Know How to Knock?"
When Ron awoke the next morning, it was with feelings of confusion and then realization. He began to stir, slowly opening his eyes, and his first thought was to where he could possibly be. Where the familiar red velvet hangings from his four poster bed? Where was Seamus's voice, usually louder than anyone else in the entire dormitory, practically screaming for Ron to get his lazy arse out of bed? Harry should be prodding him awake by now. What finally prompted things into making sense came a split second later when he noticed Draco laying in his arms. His skin looked incredibly pale, a soft milky sort of white, next to Ron's freckled skin. The morning sun streaming in through the window painted wan rays on the two bodies, completely stripped with only a thin, green sheet to shield them. Draco's hair softly spilled across his pillow and, for a moment, Ron was able to forget all the bad things they had gone through to get to this point.
Brushing his palm over Draco's shoulder, Ron softly pressed his lips to the exposed flesh.
"I was wondering when you were going to wake up," said Draco, his voice so low it was almost in a whisper.
"How long have you been awake?"
"About ten minutes. We have to get up soon if we want to get to breakfast on time."
"It's barely light outside. We have plenty of time."
"If you go to breakfast having just rolled out of bed."
"Er - I do that."
"I don't. Perfection takes time, you know."
"I think you look perfect right now."
"Yes, well, as much as I'd like to go to class completely nude, I don't think McGonagall would allow it. Dumbledore might find it amusing, though. Merlin knows that man finds humor in almost every situation."
"I didn't mean it like that," said Ron. "Enough people have seen you this way as is. I'm not about to go sharing you with others any more. You're mine now."
"No one's seen me like this. I don't just let anyone spend the night. Sleeping makes one look so unattractive."
"I think you think about your appearance too much."
"I think you don't think about you appearance enough."
"Well at least we each have something to bring this thing we have."
"What? I'm the vain little twit and you're the carefree, laid-back one?"
"If you'd prefer to be the vain little twit," said Ron, smirking.
"I would, and this vain little twit has to get out of bed and shower. I need time to get my hair just perfect. Do we have any classes together today?"
"We had Potions yesterday and - no. I have Charms, History of Magic, and Herbology. I can come back here tonight, though, if you'd like."
"All right," said Draco, kissing Ron one more time before climbing out of bed, suddenly very aware of the fact he was naked, to take a shower. "See you tonight, then."
"See you tonight," said Ron, lying on his side and watching as Draco disappeared behind the bathroom door. Climbing out of bed, he dug through the discarded robes until he found his own and dressed quickly, wanting to be out of there before Draco came out of the shower. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to look somewhat presentable in yesterday's robes, before slipping into the prefects corridor and heading for Gryffindor tower.
No one was in the common room when Ron finally persuaded the nosy fat lady to let him into Gryffindor without knowing where he had spent the night. In fact, Ron highly doubted if many of the Gryffindors would even be up at this ungodly hour that Draco began his day. Making his way to the showers, Ron found that he had been very close. Typically, the showers were packed or empty because he was so late, but only Seamus was there, brushing his teeth.
Spitting out a large glob of foam and rinsing his mouth, Seamus said, "Where were you all night? We noticed you didn't come back after that walk Hermione sent you on."
"I fell asleep."
"In whose bed?"
"No one. I was in the Astronomy Tower."
"No, you weren't. I was up there with Parvati. Besides, those robes weren't slept in. They're definitely worn but not slept in. I have an eye for the difference."
"It's none of your business, Seamus," said Ron, walking over to the sink and splashing water on his face.
"Man, you reek of sex, Weasley."
"Thank you for that observation, Seamus."
"Just pointing it out. I'm going to get dressed. I'd grab a shower if I were you before Harry or Neville comes down here. You know how Harry hogs all the hot water."
"Right," said Ron, watching the door as Seamus left.
~*~
"You never came back last night," Harry observed, sitting down at the Gryffindor table and causing Hermione to glance up from her finished Charms essay, which she was reviewing on e final time, to look at Ron.
"He never came back?"
"I fell asleep," said Ron. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"In someone's bed," said Seamus, smirking. Ron threw a piece of toast at him, scowling.
"Where did you sleep?" asked Hermione. "Why didn't you come back? Were you that terribly angry with me?"
"I wasn't terribly angry with you. I fell asleep."
"He said he was in the Astronomy Tower but I know he's lying because I was there and he definitely wasn't. His robes weren't slept in either," added Seamus. "I can tell. Believe me, I know the difference."
"Where were you all night?" asked Harry.
"I went to a friend's," said Ron.
"Could your answer be any vaguer?"
"Keep out of it, Seamus," said Ron.
"Er - your Slytherin friend?" asked Harry.
"You have a Slytherin friend?" asked Seamus. Ron glared at him, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Yes, I have a Slytherin friend, and yes, that's where I went."
"I thought you two were fighting. Did you make up?" asked Harry.
"Yes, we made up. I had no where else to go and so I went there."
"Er - we meant to talk to you about that," said Hermione, rolling up her parchment. "Please don't think up impertinent, but - Harry?"
"What are you trying to get at?" asked Ron.
"You said it was a he," said Harry.
"I don't get it," said Seamus.
"Don't you have friends to talk to?" snapped Ron.
"No."
"What's your point?" said Ron, looking back to Harry. "My Slytherin friend is a he."
"But you've been telling us it was a she," said Hermione.
"And you were - er - seeing each other," said Harry.
"What's your point?"
"You've been shagging a guy?" asked Seamus, looking impressed. "Here I thought I was the only bisexual Gryffindor in our year."
"You're bisexual?" asked Harry, staring at Seamus.
"Who said I was bisexual?" said Ron.
"You've been shagging a guy, Ron. That kind of makes you attracted to the same sex," said Seamus. "I didn't know you were into guys."
Ron remained still, staring dumbly at his breakfast.
"I hadn't even realized it," said Ron. "I mean, I knew he was a guy but I hadn't realized that would make me gay, or bisexual, or whatever I am. I just knew I cared about him and I found him attractive. He finds me attractive. I never stopped to think about it."
"That's the way to be," said Seamus, raising his goblet in what seemed to be a toast before downing his pumpkin juice all at once. "Don't think about it, Ron. Just go with the feeling."
"Is that a problem?" asked Ron, oscillating his glances between Hermione and Harry with Seamus occasionally thrown in there.
"Not a problem," said Harry. "You just took us by surprise. Apparently we took you by surprise as well. You really didn't realize?"
"Not at all."
"I support you in the new discovery," said Seamus. "Congratulations, Ron. Welcome to the elite."
"That - er - goes for me, too. Though I don't have the same enthusiasm as Seamus does," said Harry. "I don't want to screw anything good up for you by making you think about it."
"Does that mean you spent the night in Slytherin?" said Seamus, looking sick. "Was it cold down there? How did you get into without Malfoy noticing? Does that mean you know the password? We could break in and pull pranks."
"Don't be ridiculous, Seamus," said Hermione. "You still shouldn't have spent the night out of the common room, Ron. What would have happened if you had gotten caught."
"Hermione, he was inside," said Harry. "It wasn't like he was in the corridors. What would happen? Snape walk in and find Ron in a compromising position with one of his precious Slytherins?"
"Harry, you know what I mean," said Hermione, growing irritated.
"You know what, I don't need this right now," said Ron. "You can fight over me and what I do with my life up to your heart's content but I don't want to hear it. I just had the best night of my life and you aren't taking that away from me."
"You tell 'em, Ron!" said Seamus.
"Oh shut up, Seamus," chorused Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"I'll see you in Charms," said Ron. "I have to get my books from Gryffindor anyway."
Standing from the Gryffindor table, Ron left his spot with food still half-piled onto his plate.
"Do you get the feeling Ron is going to start hating us soon?" wondered Harry, watching Ron as he left the Hall, practically knocking over Malfoy on the way out.
"I have good intentions," said Hermione, sadly. "I really do. I love Ron."
"You reckon we should go after him?" said Harry, watching as Malfoy, still staring at the doors to the Hall where Ron almost ran him over, joined the Slytherin table.
"Let him go. He wants his space."
~*~
"Did you see what just happened?" asked Draco, sitting next to Goyle.
"Weasley almost killed you flying out of here."
"Do you think he was upset?"
"How should I know? You're in love with him. Can't you tell?"
"I am not in love with him," spit Draco, sneering. His gaze fell back to the doors.
"Honestly, Draco, how you've come so far with him is a miracle to me. If you want to go after him, go after him."
"What? I don't want to go after him."
"Then I'm ordering you. It's no wonder you get into so many fights with Weasley. Go after him, Draco."
"I haven't even eaten!"
"You know you want to know what happened to him. Do you really want him upset already after you spent the night together?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Saw him leaving your room this morning."
"What, do you stalk the prefects corridor? That's twice you've seen him leave my room."
"I enjoy the atmosphere there."
"Piss off."
"Go, Draco. You know you want to."
"You," grumbled Draco, standing from his seat and not even bothering to finish his train of thought. He left the Great Hall and headed for the Grand Staircase.
"If I were Weasley, where would I flee to? If I were Weasley . . . I'd kill myself," pondered Draco, groaning. "Gryffindor common room. I should go to the Gryffindor common room. I don't even know where the Gryffindor common room is!"
Turning off onto the fourth floor, Draco started wandering down the hall. He could ask someone if they had seen Ron, but that would look strange. There was always the possibility of wandering until he was graduated. The Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, floated past him gazing at Draco with a great deal of distrust. The world was clearly out to get him.
"Where the fuck did you go, Weasley?" Draco muttered.
"Are you looking for Ronald Weasley, dear?" said a voice, and Draco turned around until he saw the portrait of a plump witch in a purple gown waving at him. "Over here, darling."
"Er -" said Draco, feeling foolish talking to a portrait. "Yes, I am."
"Violet just told me moments ago that Daphne saw him up on the sixth floor. He seemed to be heading for the Gryffindor common room."
"I don't know where the Gryffindor common room is," said Draco, glancing around for anyone who could be overhearing this conversation.
"Well, Caroline guards the entrance, of course," said the witch.
"Who's Caroline?"
"Honestly, don't you know anything?"
"Can't you just tell what me what floor it's on?"
"Well, seventh, dear. Why didn't you just ask that in the first place?"
Without bothering to thank her as Draco didn't think her attitude merited thanks, he started off for the staircase again. Making his way up to the top floor, Draco started wandering the halls with the thought in mind that at least Weasley would have to be by this way. Turning a corner, he stopped abruptly to see Ron leaning against a wall, his head rolled back and his eyes shut. The sight caused Draco to still in his footing but he mentally willed himself to move again, slowly making his way toward Ron. Checking to see if the hallway was clear, Draco ran his tongue over the exposed flesh of Ron's throat before placing his lips there. As he stepped back, Ron's wide eyes were on him.
"What are you doing?" asked Ron.
"Weasley, aren't you glad to see me?"
"Just go away, Malfoy," he sighed.
The misery in Ron's voice caused words to die in Draco's throat, catching him off guard.
"What? Why? What happened, Weasel?"
"Nothing. Go - away."
"What did I do?"
"Nothing yet. That's why I want you to go away. Before you say something to ruin what happened last night."
Draco's expression softened as understanding settled in. He had asked him to spend the night. Didn't Weasley realize what that meant to Draco?
"Weasley . . ."
"Go, Malfoy. Don't taint this for me. At least give me that one moment."
"Come on, Weasley - Ron," said Draco, holding out his hand to Ron.
"What are you doing?" Ron was staring down at Draco's hand as if it were one of Fred and George's trick sweets, about the explode the moment he accepted it.
"Come with me. Let's ditch class and just go. We'll spend the day together. Alone. We can go to Gryffindor or something. That way I won't have to run around aimlessly the next time I need to track you down."
"Are you serious?" said Ron, frowning.
"Yes, I'm serious. Last night meant a lot to me. Come with me and you can tell me all about what happened with Potter. I'm assuming it was Potter."
"My temper is pushed very easily."
"You've always been like that, Ron. It's endearing."
Reluctantly, Ron nodded and grabbed Draco's wrist to pull him in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
"You were looking for me?" said Ron as they walked down the hall.
"Yes, and I had no idea where your ruddy common room was. I felt like a fool."
"Take notes, then, Malfoy. You may have to find me again."
"I don't doubt it."
"I see you've found him," said one of the four witches that had crammed themselves into the fat lady's portrait. The other witches were whispering behind their hands and giggling whenever Draco's eyes landed on them.
"What?" said Ron, grinning as he looked to Draco.
"Nothing," grunted Draco.
"He's a Slytherin," said the fat lady, who Draco presumed to be Caroline.
"He's with me and don't you dare tell a student about this," said Ron, gravely. "I'd have half a mind to come back down here and accidentally spill tea on you and that's nothing compared to what Draco would do."
"He's right," said Draco.
"Well," said the fat lady, annoyed.
"It's time for our breakfast!" cried Violet, the fat lady's friend as she moved out of her portrait. The two other witches started fanning themselves, following Violet. The fat lady was about ready to leave as well until Ron's words stopped her.
"Wait! You can't go. You've still got to let me in the common room."
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" she asked, sternly.
"Would you just let me in?"
"You haven't given me the password."
"Good one, Weasley," muttered Draco.
"Er - right," said Ron, blushing. "Rilian."
The fat lady gave a disgruntled sort of humph, opening up to allow Ron and Draco's entrance. Ron glanced into the common room before motioning for Draco to come in.
"Everyone's in class," he said.
"So this is the Gryffindor common room," said Draco, looking around the warm and friendly room. "I prefer Slytherin."
"You would," said Ron. "You want to stay down here or should we go up to the dorm?"
"Dorm," answered Draco, looking at the setting before the fireplace with something akin to disgust.
Ron led him up the winding staircase that led to the seventh year boys' dormitory and he nudged open the door, peering in to make sure no one had stayed behind before allowing Draco access. Shutting the door behind him, Ron turned around to find Draco inspecting the place.
"Oh my gods, I can't believe I'm in Harry Potter's room," Draco said in the most girly, sarcastic voice he could possibly make. Ron snickered, crossing the room and wrapping his arms around Draco's waist.
"You're in Neville Longbottom's room, too."
"How do you live with these people?" asked Draco in disgust.
"How do you live with Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Leave Goyle alone. He's the one who made me come after you. I wasn't going to because I didn't think you'd want me to."
"Goyle knows about us?"
"Er - yeah. He figured it out on his own."
"He's that bright?"
"He's a lot smarter than you'd think. So - where's your bed?"
"Always trying to get me in bed, aren't you, Malfoy?"
"I have a hard time resisting the temptation you possess."
Pulling Draco over to his bed, Ron collapsed onto the mattress with Draco falling on top of him. Pressing his lips to Ron's, Draco ran his tongue along the length of Ron's bottom lip before rolling over to lie next to him.
"You look tired," Draco observed.
"I am. You wake up at an hour I didn't know existed."
"So sleep."
"I can't. We're supposed to spend the day together."
"We will be. We'll be together tonight, too. Sleep. If I hear anyone coming, I'll hide under your bed."
Ron grinned up at him, rolled over in bed, and sighed as Draco's arms came around his chest.
~*~
"Remind me why we're here?"
"Because he may be upset."
"But why did we have to come?"
"Because we're all his friends and we have to see if he's okay."
Seamus grunted something unintelligible as he turned the knob to the dormitory. Walking in, he paused in the doorway, staring at the two bodies wrapped around each other and fast sleep. Gaping, he turned around and headed back into the hallway, shutting the door behind him.
"Well?" said Harry.
"He's in there all right," said Seamus. "At least I think so. I may have been imagining it."
"Imagining what?"
"His Slytherin lover in bed with him."
"In bed?" said Harry. "They were shagging?"
"No. In bed. Fully clothed and sleeping."
"Who was it?"
"Er - I think I must have imagined it."
"Then go back in and find out," said Dean, who was getting sick of standing in the hallway.
"I don't think that's a good idea," said Neville. "What if you aren't imagining it?"
"Then at least we'll know," said Harry. "Grow some balls and get your arse in there."
Seamus gritted his teeth at Harry, but turned around and opened the door. The four boys filed into the room, and stared across the room at Ron's bed, which he hadn't even bothered to pull the curtains around.
"I don't think he was expecting us until later," said Dean.
"I told you it was a bad idea coming in here."
"Shut up, Neville," hissed Dean.
"You see it, too?" said Seamus.
"That's Malfoy," said Harry, grimacing. "What's Malfoy doing here?"
"I think that's obvious," muttered Seamus as Harry headed for the bed. Neville left out a frightened squeak.
Ron was sprawled out on his stomach on one side, fast sleep. Draco was beside him, lying on his back with one arm thrown over Ron's back. His lips were slightly parted and not looking at all like the Slytherin Harry hated so much and Ron claimed to hate. Harry wanted to kill him.
Roughly grabbing Draco's shoulder, Harry shook him with as much force as he could exude without waking up Ron in the process. Ron mumbled something but didn't wake. Draco was a different story. His eyes shot open and he wrapped his fingers around Harry's wrist in a death grip.
"Don't do that," sneered Draco, sitting up in bed. "I swear, if you touch me again, you're going to loose that hand, Potter." Releasing the grip on Harry's hand, Draco removed his other hand from Ron's back and perched himself on the side of Ron's bed.
"What is going on here?" hissed Harry.
"What are you doing here, Potter? Don't you know how to knock?"
"On my own dormitory? I have every right to be here. What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was sleeping before I was so rudely interrupted." Draco brought his hands up to his head, smoothing back his hair. "Would anyone happen to have a mirror?" The other Gryffindors just stared at him. "I suppose I'm asking the wrong people. Stupid question."
"I want to know what's going on here," said Harry.
Ron shifted in his sleep, leaving out a soft sort of whisper as he did so.
"Now you're going to wake him, Potter."
"I think we should wake him. I want to know what this is all about."
"I'll tell you whatever you want to know, but let him sleep. He's tired. Haven't you done enough damage? Honestly, I can see why he loses his temper with you and Granger so often."
"Explain, Malfoy, and do it fast."
"You're going to have to give me something to work with, Potter. I don't know what he's told you and I don't know exactly what you want to know."
Shifting again, Ron rolled onto his back and seemed to tense up.
"Open your eyes, Weasley, I know you're awake," said Draco.
Slowly lifting his eyelids to reveal his bright blue eyes, Ron glanced nervously up at Draco and then to Harry.
"Harry. Hi." That was when Seamus snickered from the corner and for the first time, both Draco and Ron noticed the presence of the other three boys. Ron left out a shriek and fell off his bed.
Peering over the side, Draco said, "Are you okay down there, Weasel?" Ron paid him no attention.
"Seamus. Dean. Neville. Oh shit, Draco."
"Now that we're all acquainted . . ." said Draco, not bothering to finish his sentence.
"What's going on, Ron?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" said Draco. "Are you really that daft or do you just want us to come out and say it? I'm his boyfriend, Potter. Get a bloody clue."
"You're my boyfriend?" said Ron, raising his eyebrows and climbing back onto the bed.
"You didn't even know?" said Harry.
"He said we were enemies!"
"I thought enemies don't shag, Weasley."
"You've been having sex with Malfoy?" said Harry, looking sick.
"Lucky bugger," Seamus muttered from across the room, receiving five nasty glares.
"I told you about this, Harry," said Ron. "Don't act like it's come as a big surprise."
"You told him?" said Draco.
"You didn't tell me!" said Harry.
"Yes, I did."
"In all fairness," interrupted Seamus, "he did tell you. He said so just at breakfast. Malfoy's a Slytherin and clearly a guy. That kind of makes him meet the requirements."
"But Malfoy?"
"Yes, Potter. The sooner you accept the fact your darling Weasley is mine, the sooner we can all get on with our lives."
"For future reference, Draco, can you tell me what you consider out status before you tell everyone else," said Ron.
"We'll talk about it later, Ron."
"Right."
"I can't take this right now," said Harry, holding his head. He didn't look at either Draco or Ron as he left the dormitory.
"Should I go after him?" said Ron.
"I think he wants to be left alone," said Seamus. "We'll just be going now. We have classes and all. Er - we'll bring you back your assignments and let Professor Binns know you aren't feeling well."
Ushering Dean and Neville out of the dormitory, Seamus shut the shut the door behind them.
"So," said Draco, turning to Ron, "that went well."