The Nature Of A Man
Disclaimer: The usual. The characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling and this work represents a poor fumbling attempt at a Harry Potter story. I really wasn't sure where the story was going but it's rated PG-13 just in case. Read and review. You like it or you don't, just drop me a line at jadewing@hotmail.com if you want to rant or praise longer. I know you guys want me to update a little faster so this is the second story for today. You might have figured that I update once every other day but then, I go online only once every other day anyway. Hope you guys like this as well. And, thanks again!!! Your reviews always make my day!
"Harry, could I have a word with you?" Cho Chang looked as pretty as she always had and her smile was dazzling enough in the warm candlelight. Hermione and Ron looked at each other and then at Harry.
"Er, Harry … er, Ron and I have to go see Professor Grey so we'll just get going," Hermione told him brightly, giving him a meaningful look. She grabbed Ron by the sleeve and dragged him away even as he started protesting loudly. Cho watched them leave with an amused smile on her face.
"Er, what's up?" Harry asked her lamely. It was odd talking to her but it was even odder seeing her smile. Why did I get the idea that she should be crying? Harry thought to himself.
"Well," she began, "I was wondering if you'd like to go out to Hogsmeade next weekend with me? It's the first Hogsmeade outing then and I thought I'd like to get to know you a little better." She clapped a hand to her mouth and giggled. "Oh, dear. I feel so outrageous being this forward."
"I … I thought you and Cedric …" He couldn't finish. He didn't know how to finish.
Cho's face clouded over. "It was terrible, Harry." She paused to look him in the eye. "But we had just started going out. Anyway, I can't be sad over him forever, right?"
Her words, more than anything, shocked him to reality. He looked her over. She didn't seem so pretty anymore.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "But I'm going with Hermione and Ron."
A flash of anger crossed her face but she giggled again, cheerful once more. "Oh, well. Maybe some other time then." Cho waved at him and then, walked away, her hips swaying just a little. Harry shook his head. What happened to her? How did she turn into this?
"Some girls like a guy because of what he is, Potter – not because of who he is." Malfoy was leaning against the wall, staring at the departing Cho. He fixed his eyes on Harry's. "Fame and prestige are more important to them than other things."
"How long were you …?" Harry broke off, his face turning red.
"Long enough." His face was blank of all emotion, a mask of nothing. "I won't mention a word."
Harry didn't know why he felt so angry or why he said what he said. "I saw you with the pegasus." It was as if he had slapped Malfoy. The blonde's face paled and he clenched his fists, taking a step towards Harry. "What? Can't stand to be without your good friends? I saw you crying the other day because you were all alone and everyone hated you!"
For one moment, Harry thought Malfoy was going to cry again; his eyes seemed too silver with the tears welling in them but the blonde quickly turned away and walked off, leaving Harry standing there, feeling like a jerk. Why had he said that? It was such a horrible thing for him to do. Harry knew where Malfoy was going though. He dashed out of the castle, ignoring squeals of protest from a couple of third-year girls, muttering quick apologies to Professor Sinistra when he bumped into her. It was a quick trip to make; he knew where he was going after all. Within moments, he saw the clearing ahead. Malfoy was already there and he turned around as he heard Harry approaching.
"Go away, Potter!" Malfoy spat. White Wind was standing several feet away, keeping a careful distance from Malfoy. She seemed unnerved and every time the Slytherin moved a step closer to her, she moved a step back. It had a distressing effect on Malfoy and he sank to his knees, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably as he wept into his hands.
Harry's heart twisted. It was all his fault. Before he even knew he was doing, he was kneeling besides the other boy, his arms around Malfoy. The blonde boy resisted at first, trying to push him away but he collapsed against Harry a moment later, sobbing into Harry's shoulder. Awkwardly, Harry patted him on the back but the other boy's soft sobs didn't cease. There was a snort and then White Wind was snuffling Malfoy's hair. Malfoy lifted up his face and, seeing White Wind, he smiled, tears still in his eyes. He wiped at his eyes and stood up, stroking. "You forgive me?" She nodded her head.
Harry stood up as well, feeling decidedly odd. He handed Malfoy a handkerchief who took it after a moment and began dabbing at his eyes. "I'm sorry," Harry said to him uncomfortably. "I shouldn't have said what I did but … I guess I just went crazy. Sorry."
"I guess I shouldn't have been eavesdropping in the first place." Malfoy sniffled again then looked into Harry's green eyes. "I can't believe I was crying on your shoulder."
"Well," Harry told him, "You don't tell anyone and I won't tell anyone."
"All right," Malfoy smiled.
"You know, you'd be nicer if you were just more like this." At Malfoy's incredulous stare, he hurried on. "I mean, more polite and more … nice, I guess."
"If I was nicer to you, I wouldn't be me, would I?" Malfoy told him drily.
Harry patted White Wind who began lavishing him with some wet snuffles. "I don't know. I'd say that White Wind thinks differently."
Malfoy turned to stare at the mare with a sad look in his eyes. "It can never be. Never."
"Because your father is a Death Eater and one of Voldemort's greatest supporters?" Harry asked him quietly.
Malfoy grinned mirthlessly. "I forgot that you knew for a moment. Yes. That … and more." He gave Harry an unfriendly look. "You and I are enemies, Potter. Go away."
"My only enemy is Voldemort." Harry looked at the blonde Slytherin, remembering how his face just now had been twisted in pain and grief. "And I don't think White Wind made a mistake in choosing you."
Malfoy laughed. "You fool yourself, Potter. She's wrong. You're wrong."
"Are we?" He shook his head. "All I'm asking for is a truce, Malfoy. No fighting, no sneers, no petty comments, no snide remarks. Do that and I'll leave you alone as well. Without Crabbe and Goyle, I don't think you'd have to try and prove yourself."
Malfoy was silent for a moment. "Done." He sounded weary. "I'm tired of it all anyway. All of it."
Harry didn't look at him. He patted White Wind who trotted away and began grazing. He looked down at himself. The left shoulder of his robes had a big wet patch on it. Malfoy turned a little red when Harry glanced at him. "Looks like I'll have to wash this soon."
"Sorry." He looked embarrassed.
"Nah." Harry smiled at him. "It'll remind me of how you cried in my arms."
Malfoy growled and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Stop it. Truce, remember?"
"Right." Harry grinned again. "But if you ever need a shoulder to cry on …"
Malfoy moaned. "Corny jokes now … Give me strength!"
And the both of them laughed. Long loud laughs. And when they were done, they looked at each other in embarrassment and both felt a little awkward. How could they not? How did they change from enemies to something less than friends but more than acquaintances? That night as Harry lay in bed, just after taking the Sleeping Draught as he had been for the past few nights, he wondered at the changes that life brings.