This chapter dedicated to Musouka
Playing Games Part 3
Subaru
Something happen? Harry couldn't concentrate on the papers he was reading. Snape's parting words rang through his head. Yes, something had happened as a matter of fact.
Harry put the paper he was staring at down. He leaned back in the chair and stared into the blazing fireplace instead.
And Harry could remember that happening quite clearly.
Yes, five years ago, closer to six really. Harry amended. There had been a party like no other he'd seen at Hogwarts, put on by the students leaving Hogwarts for summer vacation for the last time.
flashback
Hermione could talk nothing but of it. Well, she was the head of festivities, so that was only natural. And she was bursting with ideas from the Muggle world.
Ron kept blushing and smiling at Hermione and Harry felt disconnected. He couldn't believe he was going to be leaving!
"Harry, aren't you excited! That party's tomorrow! All the lower grades have left for the summer and it'll be only us!" Hermione sang. Ron shot a look Hermoine a look and she blushed beet red.
"Yeah, it'll be fun!" Harry agreed, shaking off his melancholy with effort.
They continued with their dinner as Hermione explained certain ideas like a broom stick race and a dance and lots of food, all made by the students and giving the house elves the night off too.
Harry tuned her out and let his gaze wander out over the dining hall. He caught Draco's searching gaze and Harry stared back, too surprised at the genuine smile that Draco had on his face. Harry smiled back, wondering at how Draco had changed. From a snobby brat to a person who could be related to a god of the moon. Harry flushed and looked away.
Yes, Harry had come to the conclusion that he was, indeed gay a year ago.
And boy, had that changed a lot of things. He could remember with painful clarity Oliver staring at him like he'd turned into a snake with the bubonic plague before his very eyes.
Thank goodness Fred and George had argued they needed the best player or they'd lose at Quidditch for the rest of the year. Even now, Oliver tried to make as little contact with him as possible.
Dean and Seamus had delighted him by telling he wasn't the only one, and so they had consequently become great friends and had many long talks.
Ron and Hermione had of course, stood by him and Harry was grateful. Ron, in fact, had told him he was relieved, as he'd thought Harry was a competitor for Hermione.
"Harry?" Ron waved his hand in front of Harry's face.
"Yeah?" Harry asked, blinking. Draco was leaving, his silvery blonde hair glinting as he passed out of the hall.
"Dinner's over."
"You were a million miles away, Harry. Is there something wrong?" Hermione added, falling into step with the two.
"I can't believe we're leaving forever!" Harry sniffed.
"I know! It seems like forever ago that you asked my mum how to get onto the platform…" Ron slung one arm over Harry's shoulders, the other about Hermione's waist.
"We were so young!" Hermoine sighed, blinking her own tears back.
"I, for one am overjoyed that I'm leaving this place."
The three turned.
"Malfoy." Hermione stated.
"Crying, are we? So weak. Well, here's an idea for the bash tomorrow." Draco handed her a folded piece of paper and left in a swirl of billowing robes.
------
Harry sat up that night. He couldn't sleep and he'd had another dream about Voldemort. He was getting stronger and Harry knew he was no match for him. He crept over to Ron's bed.
"Ron?"
"Mmmphf?" Ron asked, rolling over. "What's wrong? 'Nother dream?"
"Yeah."
"Hop in." Ron pulled back the covers and scooted over.
"Thanks." Harry said, crawling in.
"No problem. Wanna talk 'bout it?" Ron yawned.
"No, it's okay. I just…want some company."
"It's okay. He can't get into Hogwarts. You know that Harry." Ron said hugging his best friend.
"I know. But the dreams are so vivid."
Ron didn't know what to say to the so he kept silent. "Ron?"
"Yeah, Harry?"
"You'll always be my best friend even when we're a hundred years old, right?"
"Beyond."
"Okay. See you in the morning." Harry said, yawning himself.
"Night."
------
Harry winced. Loud, exciting and continuous. Three words that could only describe Hermione's party. He scanned the room. No teachers. Had they gone home? No. There was Snape and…
He was getting down with McGonagall to some strange dance music. Harry's jaw dropped open.
"You look stupid, Harry." Draco reached over and shut Harry's mouth.
"But that's Snape!" Harry protested, still staring.
"Fancy him, do you?" Draco said nastily. Harry turned to give some biting retort and stopped. Then stared. Draco was wearing a silver robe so loose as to seem it was falling off his shoulders. It showed a very nicely defined chest.
"You are drooling." Draco informed him triumphantly.
"Heh." Harry cleared his throat and made himself look away.
Draco made an annoyed noise. "I may not have actually said anything to the whole school," Draco said, leaning in to whisper into Harry's ear. "But I fancy boys too." Harry jerked his head and watched as Draco stood.
"Meet me in front of the Fat Lady if you dare, Harry." Draco smiled evilly and flounced off.
Tbc
*Thanks to all who reviewed my chapters 1&2: nortylaK, Black Goddess, Beth825, Alix Vitesse, and Unicorn Chick.
