Everything Changes

by T.K. Yuy

Chapter 5- Gryffindor Loyalty, Slytherin Pride

Ron hadn't said much during breakfast, not that Harry had minded, but he ws a little worried. Ron had known about his preference since the end of 4th year, and true, he didn't have a problem with it, but he had been taking this whole deal with Malfoy a little too easily. Especially since he was constantly bitching about him and his 'goonies'. The rest of the Gryffindors had been much more accepting, given the fact that Malfoy had yet to play any sort of pranks on them or make any sort of deragatory comments. Seamus, to say the least, was absolutely in love with the idea, and had been trying to talk Harry into taking Draco to the Halloween Ball that was coming up. Hermione argued the point, saying that there was less than a month to prepare, and with Malfoy's fashion sense, they would have the hardest time trying to find costumes that pleased the Slytherin. Harry had been ignoring this conversation, his ears trained on Ron and Dean talking about the Cannons, his eyes searching for any sign of Draco.

"Harry, you alright?" asked Hermione, nibbling on her 4th piece of toast, "you've been awefully quiet this morning."

"I'm fine, 'Mione, just worried is all."

"About Malfoy?" Ron's voice was unexpected, and Harry almost jumped.

"Yes, Ron, about Malfoy."

The red-haired boy merely nodded, and glanced up at the Slytherin table. Pansy Parkinson had just walked back into the Great Hall, with Draco on her arm and a smile on her face. With a quick glance at Harry, he confirmed his hunch about his friend being Slytherin at heart as normally open green-eyes narrowed and flashed angrily. He quickly stood up and motioned to the door when Harry looked at him, sending Hermione a 'wait here' glance, which she nodded to. The two boys walked out of the hall quietly, and Ron moved to a corner far enough away that he could speak without having to whisper.

"Harry, look," he started, "I don't have a problem with you and Malfoy, really, I don't, but why the bloody hell is he allowed in your room when 'Mione and I aren't? It just doesn't seem fair to me."

"Ron, I didn't have a choice in the matter when I was given my room. Things… things have changed since then."

"Changed? How so?"
"Dumbledore… well, let's just say that Dumbledore's authority means jack shit next to mine."

Ron looked at him like he'd grown two heads, and then smiled.

"The Heir of Gryffindor thing is that important huh?"

"No, but it's part of it. Ron, I want you and 'Mione to meet Draco outside the Fat Lady tonight at about midnight. I have a few things I need to tell you."

"Outside the Fat Lady? Harry, isn't the entrance to your room inside the Commons?"
"Yes, and no. The bookshelf just outside the portrait leads to my room."

"Oh. Malfoy already knows about this then?"
"He's a part of it, so yes, he does know. Ron, please, believe me when I tell you this development with Malfoy is new. I mean brand new. Last night was the first time we'd had a decent conversation, no insults, no hexes, and most certainly no punches, in nearly 3 years."

"I believe you. I'd be a fool not to. But Harry, there's more to your relationship with him than just what you're going to tell 'Mione and I, isn't there?"

"Meaning…?"
"You care about him. A lot. And don't say you don't, 'cause I saw the way you looked at Parkinson when she walked in with him. You were ready to rip her head off!"

Harry laughed and put an arm around Ron's shoulders, noticing for the first time exactly how muscular he'd gotten since he started his training. For 2 years now, he'd been trying out for the House Team, and had been refused. As captain, one would think Harry'd have the final say in the matter of who gets on the team or not, but in all honesty, the rest of the team votes on the candidates, and the one with the most votes wins the spot. The only time Harry had ever picked a replacement, was when Fred and George had graduated, three years ago[1]. The rest of the team couldn't pick the two best Beaters at the try outs, and had come up with a 4 way tie. Harry then just put the four names in a hat, and picked two. Needless to say, Nathalie Sparks and Zia Lumara, both currently 4th years, [2] have lived up to the Weasley Twins reputation, and Gryffindor has won the cup ever since.

But Ron wasn't about to give up, and he was determined to play on the team this year. He'd taken to getting up early, jogging out around the lake twice, doing pull-ups in the gardens, push-ups and sit ups in the dorm, and then showering before going down to breakfast. He'd even gotten the team's Keeper, Robbie Zimmerman, to join him. Harry wondered why neither of them had girlfriends…

As they walked back into the Great Hall, which was still bustling with conversation, the Gryffindor table the loudest as Seamus blew up his water (he still hadn't gotten the hang of turning his water into rum yet), Harry noticed how pale Malfoy was, and how his eyes darted across the room almost immediately, seeking him out. He stopped, and Ron stumbled, the loss of weight on his shoulders throwing him off balance. He just had to look at Harry's eyes, and he knew. Without a second thought, he straightened up and much to all of Gryffindors surprise, walked right over to the Slytherin table. Crabbe and Goyle were on their feet in mere seconds and as Draco saw Harry's look, snorted.

"Sit down." he ordered, "Pansy, be a dear and pass me those fresh biscuts."

"There's a basket right in-"
"They've been there for 5 minutes, I want the ones that were just set before Creed."

"Draco, there's-"

"I believe, Parkinson," Ron said darkly, stopping behind the two, "that Malfoy told you to do something."

"Fuck offf, Weasel!" she spat, ignoring him while Draco turned his head to look at him.

"I'll ignore that. Malfoy, a word if I may?"

"I don't have time, Weasel."
"Then make time, Ferret Boy, because we need to talk. Now."

"He said he doesn't have time, Weasel, now get-" Pansy growled before Draco stood up.

He followed Ron out of the Great Hall through the Slytherin side door, and had anyone been looking, they would've seen Harry turn on his heel and leave right after them.

"What," Malfoy started, "the fuck was that about Weasel?!"

"You should thank him for saving you from Pug-faced Parkinson." Harry laughed, walking up to the two, "Ron, that wasn't necessary."
"I wasn't about to let you make it public knowledge, ya know!" was the light reply, and as he left, Ron winked at Harry.

"That's a perk of being the Heir, isn't it?"

"Possibly, but what did you expect, he is a Gryffindor. Loyal to the House until the fat lady- scratch that, she does sing."

"And does he always take Slytherin pride into consideration when approaching my Housemates?"
"No, not normally, but you have to remember, he knows."

"How much?"
"Enough. Now, what say we skip the rest of breakfast and head to the dungeons?"

"That eager to start Potions, Potter?"
"No, just eager to feel you…"

Unaware of the pair of the dark eyes that watched from the shadows by the Slytherin door, Harry slid his hands under Draco's robe, pulling him into a tight embrace. As their lips met, they disappeared in a flury of red, and the owner of the eyes returned to the Hall.

"Blaise?" a 6th year by the name of Tory asked, noticing the smirk on his friends face. "What's that look for?"

"Just eat your breakfast, I'll tell you later."

~TBC~

A bit of a lighter chapter. It was actually supposed to be a lot longer, going into their classes and getting up to just before Harry gives Ron and 'Mione their explainations, but the Goddess of Inspiration was not so kind tonight. And, well, I wasn't going to make you all wait until it came back before giving you something to munch on. Hopefully that part will be easier to write tomorrow. Either way, it should be up by Friday or Saturday. As always, questions and comments received with much enthusiasm.