Chapter 3
Disclaimer: There's this really brilliant, imaginative, funny, talented, thoughtful person out there. This person wrote a book. A book about a boy named Harry Potter. This Harry Potter was a wizard, a famous one at that, and he was a very loyal, friendly boy. This imaginative person wrote about another boy named Draco Malfoy. Draco Malfoy was Harry Potter's enemy until one day when a very magical thing happened. A faithful fan, who called herself Tine, decided to write a story (not wanting any money or copywrite from this wonderful person) about the two boys and their lives. That magical person is Joanne Kathleen Rowling. She is brilliant, funny, talented and thoughtful to the true meanings of those words. She wrote the Harry Potter series and it has inspired me greatly. JK Rowling, without a doubt, owns Harry Potter.
Rating: R
Author's Note: Sorry about the long disclaimer. I've been thinking about what an amazing person JK Rowling is. But enough of that. On with the story. Thank for the reviews! I would like to thanks these individuals. Yami Vixen (glad you like it), Quasy, areli (staying wth one tense is something I'm not good doing. I'll try harder to fix it), Copocobana (Well... a dash of D/H so I hope you like. it. Sorry for the G/H. I agree. It really id the most disgusting thing ever), Kimmy (I don't like G/H at all!), Luwana-Fluff-Dragon (thankd for reviewing!), LadyDeath (I didn't think the G/H was that great but I'm glad to see it wasn't horrible. I'll review your story as soon as I upload this chapter!), a (Yay! You reviewed! I'm so happy. I like Draco and Hermione. Not together, but they're cool as friends. Ginny/Harry is pretty digusting. Much dislike it!), DracoDormiens (hope you like this chapter. Like Cassandra Claire's stuff, by chance?), Insane Floo Pot (Cool name. Glad you like this story. As for Harry/Ginny breaking up. Might not happen for awhile yet. *Ducks as a sharp object flies past head*), Cyber (Don't worry. Good or not, it's still a review!), havelock (here's more!).
We'll be getting some of the good old Draco we know and love in this chapter. Might stick around for a bit, as well. The sarcasm and cynicism are back, Copocobana! Enjoy!
There's some much anticipated Draco/Harry in this chapter. You might not like the outcome of it though, so I apologize ahead of time. It tore my heart open to do this. Hope you enjoy it anyhow!
I was hugging the floor. Not by choice, that's for sure. I'd been knocked to ground by the very subject of my complex thoughts. Harry.
He'd been on my mind every moment of every day. It was highly aggravating, not to mention draining. Watching the person you love, with another. Because I love Harry. So very, very much. Harry was with Ginny, and the fact that Harry was right in front of me and I still couldn't gather him in my arms and smother him with kisses, made me really angry.
Harry was running to catch up to Ginny when he'd knocked me over. I got to my feet and watched the two lovers exchange words.
"Ginny!" Harry shouted, "Can I talk to you a moment?"
No! Don't talk to Harry, you bitch! Harry deserves better.
"What is it Harry?" she asked.
"I wanted to apologize for not saying anything nights ago. I really like you and I love being around you, I just... I don't know if it's love. Yet. Give me time!" Harry pleaded.
No! Reject him so he can come to me and I can comfort him. For a moment I thought my request had been fulfilled (the look on Ginny's face) but a second later, Ginny grinned, took Harry by the hand and began to walk away. I followed after quietly.
"Where are we going?"
"Well... we've got loads of make-up sex to look forward to. If we want to get it all done, we're going to have to hurry up!" she said. I reared back, turned on my heel and fled the corridor as fast as I could. I burst out of the school onto the front steps and hurtled down to the lake. I collapsed beside it. Then I let out a hopeless cry of rage, saddness and utter hope. Strange, there was no hope left in me and I still went on hoping. Maybe one day, one glorious day, Ginny and Harry would break up. Oh how I hoped!
I lay back on the grass and stared up at the cerulean sky, clustered with white puffs of cloud. I groaned when one seemed to take the shape of a lightning bolt. I was just drifting off when someone plopped themself beside me very loudly and said: "Don't you just hate clouds. They always take the shape of horrible things." I cracked one eye open to find Ron lying there next to me.
I've had a lot of shocks in my life, but never one that big. Seeing Ron right next to me, speaking of the one thing I was thinking about, made me about ready to scream in terror and punch Ron, before running away. I didn't do that, obviously.
"Hey..." I greeted slowly, still rather surprised.
"Hermione says you're fun to hang around. She's spending the day with her roommates and she told me to come find you. I saw you running toward the lake and thought that now was as good a time as any to get to know you better. My two best friends seem to think you're not half bad. But there you are. Insane."
I stared at him. Was it possible for one person to say so many words without stalling? Yes. Hermione does that. Fits that the two of them would be dating.
"Er -"
"Sorry. When I'm nervous, I babble. So what is it with your sudden interest in the three of us?" I cocked my head to the side to face him. I shrugged.
"I enjoy talking to Hermione, 'cause she's smart. Harry understands me 'cause he's been through a lot of the stuff I have."
"Ah. I see. Tell me, what does Hermione say about me?" Ron asked. I smirked.
"Not a lot," I drawled and Ron laughed. At least he understood I was joking when I said things like that. Everyone else took them so seriously.
"Here I was thinking I was so very important to Hermione," Ron said.
"You are," I said shortly. Ron's eyes went wide. "She really likes you. I probably shouldn't say anything, but when you two took that kissing break, she wouldn't stop talking about you. Seemed if she couldn't get her hands on you, she'd talk about getting her hands on you instead." Ron laughed again.
"You should talk to Harry about that," he said and I frowned, "what?"
"Nothing. I'm guessing you did the same to him?"
"Give the boy a million galleons," Ron said in a very monotonous voice. I was surprised to hear myself laugh. "So what about you? Any love interests? Probably none of my business, but I'm curious."
"Everyone is. Well there's a Ravenclaw."
"Cho?" Ron asked right away. I stared at him, mouth agape.
"Er..." I began, "not my type."
"Prefer blondes?" he asked, eyes flicking to my own locks of hair.
"No, I love black hair. Just... she's.... too plain for me. I like mine complex."
"Something we have in common," said Ron, smiling.
"Yeah. So.... what's new with the Weasley clan?" I inquired.
"Bill's getting married next summer to this chick he met in Egypt. Her name is Ritzy! I don't like her, but there you are. Charlie's got a girlfriend. Carol. I love her. Reminds me so much of Hermione, it's scary. Percy and Penelope are on their honeymoon. They're coming home soon. It's supposed a trip 'round the world and it was going to last a whole year, but Penelope found out she's pregnant. Eww. I'm going to be an uncle. Uncle Ron (A/N: I have an Uncle Ron! Not that you care) taking care of nephew Percy Jr. *So* would not be surprised," Ron said when I looked horrified, "Fred and George are probably the most successful. They've opened this great shop in France. Met French twins! Can you believe it! Kind of scary. George said in his most recent letter that he's thinking of dumping his half and going out with this woman who keeps coming by the shop to talk to him. They learned French and wrote me letters that I didn't understand."
"Percy Junior!" I cried in detest, "that's a horrible name!" Ron laughed.
"Yeah I know. Says he's also considering Pheobe, Lydia, and Elcy. I think Lydia and Elcy are rather gothic names, don't you?"
"Lydia, but not Elcy. My grandmother's name was Elcy. So not gothic!" I was getting very used to Ron's laugh by now.
"So how's your wand-toating family?" the red head asked in nothing else but a curious tone.
"Well. Father and Mother are visiting Brazil on "business". I think they're hiding. That's it, really."
"That's all. Well, tell me about yourself then, if there's nothing else about your family," Ron said, ripping a handful of grass out of the ground and throwing it a few feet away.
"Okay. I want to graduate, become Minister of Magic, I want to marry someone really honest and kind. Then I want to adopt a Canadian (A/N: Go Canada!) baby girl and name her Joanne. Not sure why. Just want to."
"Interesting. I want to graduate, become an auror, marry Hermione, have a girl named Jenny and a boy named Pierre. Hermione hates Pierre, though. Wants Ricky. As long as I get Jenny!" I laughed.
"An auror?"
"Yes, ever since Barty Crouch Jr. came and mentioned being an auror, I've been obsessed. Dad thinks I'm mad and that I'm going to get myself killed but he's just being the protective father he has to be."
"How is your dad?"
"He got a raise. Ginny and I got real dress robes, not ones from a second hand shop. Ginny's are light blue, mine are black, I think. Change colour. Mum's cool. Pulling her hair out. She knows I'm leaving this year and then Ginny next year. She says she's going to miss the two of us terribly."
"And she probably will," I said and Ron nodded his consent. We lay there in silence for about five minutes. Those five minutes were amazing. It gave me time to reflect upon everything. I knew Ron was my friend. And we didn't even have to say it. We just knew.
*
We were in Potions. Harry was my partner. He came over and plopped himself in the seat next to me and smiled.
"So... I don't know how to do this potion, I'll need lots of help." He brushed his hair out of his eyes and it was all I could do to not run my hands through it.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," I said. We set to work. Halfway through the lesson (during which I blatantly let my hand brush against his every so often) I saw he wasn't stirring properly. So I put my hand on his and and helped him stir the potion properly.
"Remember. In a smooth, rythmical pattern. It should feel very relaxed." Harry wasn't looking at the potion or our hands. He was looking right into my eyes. After a moment, the spoon was swallowed up into the potion. Suddenly, we couldn't seem to get closer to each other. His hands were around my neck. My hands were sifting through his hair, exploring the soft sensation of it against my bare skin. His mouth tasted just like I imagined it would. A mix of pepper and strawberry. His scent was intoxicating. I couldn't breathe but it didn't matter. I just kept on kissing him.... urgently, desperately.
I woke with a start, gasping and moaning. It was the feeling of slow, sad reality creeping back into my mind, body and soul. I was rather terrified. The dream had been so real. I'd actually thought I was kissing Harry, touching Harry, loving Harry. I realized that that wasn't reality at all. Harry had a girlfriend so he wasn't attracted to men, let alone myself.
I was so scared I started crying. Not loud, blubbering tears. Just little helpless tears that no one could hear. My hands felt cold and my lips... they were empty. I wanted Harry so badly, I would do anything to get him.
Anything. I thought about it, and I started to realize just what 'anything' was. I would do everything in my power to break up Harry and Ginny. And I knew I wouldn't even feel bad about it. The trouble was doing it without letting anyone know. I hopped out of bed and grabbed a roll of parchment and a quill. Then I sat down to think up ideas. After an hour, I had come up with plenty. I read the first idea off the page and grinned.
Lend "Life in the Fancy" to Harry in front of Ginny.
It was simple. I couldn't wait. Here was some of the old Draco coming back. It felt great!
*
"Potter!" I shouted down the corridor. Harry and his girlfriend stopped and turned to face me. It was a week after I'd started Operation Break Up. I hadn't been able to find "Life in the Fancy" until halway through the week, and then I hadn't found Harry and Ginny alone together. It was Friday, and there were two hours before supper. Operation Break Up was about to begin.
"Yes Malfoy?"
"I finished my book, so you can borrow it now, if you'd like..." I replied, holding it out for him. Ginny grabbed it from my outstretched hand and peered at it.
"What's it about?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, nothing -" Harry started to say but I interrupted him.
"The trials and tribulations of Jake and Doug, two wizards madly in love." Ginny ganced at me, then fixed her stare on Harry.
"Why are you reading this?" she inquired.
"He really enjoys this kind of stuff," I said and Harry glared at me. (It hurt but I could forget about it momentarily).
"Malfoy! What are you talking about! I do not enjoy this stuff. I never asked for this book," Hary denied. I gave him a confused look.
"But you said you did. When we were having that conversation down that corridor. I asked if you wanted to borrow the book and you said -"
"I said absolutely not, Malfoy. Now get lost!" he said hastily. I nodded.
"All right. But just in case you change your mind, here it is anyway," I said, placing it among the books he was holding in his arms already, "cheers!" I turned and stalked off, smiling to myself. Phase one of Operation Break Up had begun.
*
"Professor..." I began, stepping up to the Potion Master's desk, "I really look up to you. Could you help me?"
"Depends on what you need help on, Mr Malfoy," Professor Snape answered. I nodded.
"See there's this person I kind of fancy. But..." I said, for there was no point in getting Snape worked up if he wasn't comfortable with tha kind of stuff, "but she's sort of already dating someone. I really like her, Professor. I think I love her. How could I possibly get her boyfriend and her to break-up?"
"I see. I shouldn't be telling you this, but seeing as you're my favourite pupil..." he motioned for me to sit down and continued, "jealousy, Mr Malfoy, is a very terrible evil. It corrupts one's mind and causes them to believe irrational things. If you can get this boyfriend of hers really jealous.... perhaps he'll break up with her." I nodded and wrote it down.
"Thank you, sir," I said and left the office. Snape can be really kind if he likes you, but he still creeps me out sometimes.
As I made my way back toward my private chambers given to me by my Head Boy privelages, I thought. Was I doing the right thing? Would this actually work? I truly hoped so.
As I stepped into the Entrance Hall, I was met by the sight of my two *favourite* people snogging each other's brains out. I yelped and they stopped. Harry looked guilty, while Ginny looked irritated I'd ended their make out session. I shuddered and forced a smile on my face.
"Hello. What do you think of the book?" I asked.
"I haven't started it yet," he said but his face told me otherwise. I nodded at him, with one of those knowing looks on my visage. Harry blushed crimson and I grinned.
"I particularly enjoyed the reunion scene with Jake and Doug. I think you will too," I said, smiled again and walked past him, brushing his crotch as I went.
I brushed his crotch! I actually brushed his crotch! It was great! Er... as far as touching crotches goes. Right?
So I had to deal with Harry looking at me differently during Potions, but it disappeared in Care of Magical Creatures, which was certainly eventful.
"Stroke the centaur softly.... with a rhythmical pattern... softly and deftly... make sure you're not hurting it, Pansy," Hagrid was saying. Everyone in the class had their own centaur, and I had... Firenze! I was actually really happy about it.
"Have you talked to Harry?" he asked me after a short silence.
"We're friends," I replied.
"Nothing more?"
"No, he's dating someone else."
"That's a shame. Well if you're meant to be, then you'll get together no matter the circumstances."
"I'm not sure I can wait, Firenze," I replied, placing a hand on his neck, "I like him too much to see him with someone else. It's tearing me up inside."
"I understand how painful it must be for you," he comforted.
"No you don't, " I said flatly, "I will do anything to get Harry. That's what I've decided. If that means I have to hurt him in the process, so be it." Firenze whipped around and stared at me.
"You are thinking only of yourself," he spat, "stop being so selfish!"
"I am not being selfish. I'm angry. Why can't I have the one person I want?" I demanded. He had a cold look in his eyes that made me shiver.
"You are being selfish, " he said, lowering his voice, "you are not thinking of Harry. This friend of his may be really special to him."
"But she's not! He told me he doesn't love her!" I said desperately, feeling on the verge of tears. Tears of frustration.
"Well.... until he can realize that he can't be with her because of that, you're stuck where you are."
"Yes, or I go along with my plan and split them up."
"Draco. If you go along with that plan, you'll ruin what it is you've got with Harry right now. Don't do that, Draco. Trust me as I've trusted you. Do not do that to him. You will regret it." I stared at Firenze, thinking hard. Finally, I nodded slowly and Firenze's gaze softened. Then we went for a walk around the lake, where I had time to sort out my ever complicated thoughts. What if Harry never realized he couldn't be with Ginny because he didn't love her? At the end of the class, was still fretting over that question.
*
The four of us together for the first time since we'd become friends. Ron, Harry, Hermione and I sat in the library, surrounded by books.
"The NEWTS aren't too far away."
"They're in June, it's November," Ron pointed out.
"Yes, we'll get a head start. You think it's a good idea, don't you Draco?" Hermione asked, eyes travelling to me.
"Huh? Oh... yeah." I'd been drifting off into my thoughts lately.
"If you don't want to be here, you don't have to be," Hermione said. I knew she was offended.
"Hermione, I was just thinking. Of course I want to be here. I'm sorry." Hermione smiled and nodded.
"Well, might as well get going. Dinner is in ten minutes. Let's go," Hermione said and we all stood up. As we got into the corridor, Ron and Hermione grew interested in each other and it gave me a chance to put my second plan into action. It didn't work out.
"Harry. Can I talk to you a second?"
"Sure Malfoy, what is it?" he asked. My surname hung in the air unpleasantly.
"Well," I said, sighing, "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me on Saturday. I want to go to Hogsmeade and I was thinking you'd like to join me."
"I would, but I'm meeting Ginny there," Harry said and his eyes seemed to apologize for him. It wasn't enough.
"Harry," I said letting out a short laugh, "you can't keep this up. Staying with Ginny. I know you don't love her." Harry gave me a strange look and there was a long silence where I wished I could grab my words out of the air and take them back.
"What gives you that idea?"
"You told me."
"Right," Harry remembered.
"You don't have to continue going around with her," I tried again.
"Want saome gum?" Harry was pointing to a pack of gum in his hands. I shook my head. He put it away and we walked on some more. "And yes I do," he said.
"No you don't."
"You don't quite get it, Malfoy. Ginny loves *me*. If I break up with her I'll be hurting her. I don't liked hurting people, Draco. I'm going to ask her to marry me sometime this year." I gaped at him. This was impossible. "I know we're both young, but I think we're ready. She loves me and -"
"You don't love her. You can't do that, Harry."
"You just said my first name. You've never done that before."
"Yes I have, you just never noticed before now," I said with a trace of regret in my voice, "You can't lie to yourself. It wouldn't be fair to you or Ginny."
"Okay, so what? I break up with Ginny and she gets hurt. Wow. I'll be the Weasley brothers' target for years."
"Better she find out now, than later. If she finds out you've lead her on, she'll be furious."
"That's why I'm going to tell her I love her," Harry said.
"That's a lie!" I shouted loudly.
"Be that as it may, it's for the benefit of someone else. Malfoy, I'm not going to hurt anyone here. I refuse to. We'll both be fine. Stop worrying about it." Then he turned and actually walked away.
The problem was he was hurting me so badly right then, it was like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and stomped on furiously by he himself. So he was hurting someone. Me. I doubted whether he'd ever stop hurting me. And now it was too late. I'd waited too long. I had to no one to blame but myself.
That was short. I couldn't think of anything else to put after that. So the next chapter will be nice and long.
I didn't want that to happen, my muse Todd made me write it. I'm so sorry! To make up for it, there will be more Draco/Harry in the next chapter but you probably won't like it then either. Hell, you'll hate it. I apologize before I put the chapter up because I know you're all going to hurl tomatoes and sharp objects at me when you read it. So... Sorry!
But what did you think? Other than the fact that you hated it with a passion. Let me know. I need feedback, whether negative or positive. 8- )
Tine
Disclaimer: There's this really brilliant, imaginative, funny, talented, thoughtful person out there. This person wrote a book. A book about a boy named Harry Potter. This Harry Potter was a wizard, a famous one at that, and he was a very loyal, friendly boy. This imaginative person wrote about another boy named Draco Malfoy. Draco Malfoy was Harry Potter's enemy until one day when a very magical thing happened. A faithful fan, who called herself Tine, decided to write a story (not wanting any money or copywrite from this wonderful person) about the two boys and their lives. That magical person is Joanne Kathleen Rowling. She is brilliant, funny, talented and thoughtful to the true meanings of those words. She wrote the Harry Potter series and it has inspired me greatly. JK Rowling, without a doubt, owns Harry Potter.
Rating: R
Author's Note: Sorry about the long disclaimer. I've been thinking about what an amazing person JK Rowling is. But enough of that. On with the story. Thank for the reviews! I would like to thanks these individuals. Yami Vixen (glad you like it), Quasy, areli (staying wth one tense is something I'm not good doing. I'll try harder to fix it), Copocobana (Well... a dash of D/H so I hope you like. it. Sorry for the G/H. I agree. It really id the most disgusting thing ever), Kimmy (I don't like G/H at all!), Luwana-Fluff-Dragon (thankd for reviewing!), LadyDeath (I didn't think the G/H was that great but I'm glad to see it wasn't horrible. I'll review your story as soon as I upload this chapter!), a (Yay! You reviewed! I'm so happy. I like Draco and Hermione. Not together, but they're cool as friends. Ginny/Harry is pretty digusting. Much dislike it!), DracoDormiens (hope you like this chapter. Like Cassandra Claire's stuff, by chance?), Insane Floo Pot (Cool name. Glad you like this story. As for Harry/Ginny breaking up. Might not happen for awhile yet. *Ducks as a sharp object flies past head*), Cyber (Don't worry. Good or not, it's still a review!), havelock (here's more!).
We'll be getting some of the good old Draco we know and love in this chapter. Might stick around for a bit, as well. The sarcasm and cynicism are back, Copocobana! Enjoy!
There's some much anticipated Draco/Harry in this chapter. You might not like the outcome of it though, so I apologize ahead of time. It tore my heart open to do this. Hope you enjoy it anyhow!
I was hugging the floor. Not by choice, that's for sure. I'd been knocked to ground by the very subject of my complex thoughts. Harry.
He'd been on my mind every moment of every day. It was highly aggravating, not to mention draining. Watching the person you love, with another. Because I love Harry. So very, very much. Harry was with Ginny, and the fact that Harry was right in front of me and I still couldn't gather him in my arms and smother him with kisses, made me really angry.
Harry was running to catch up to Ginny when he'd knocked me over. I got to my feet and watched the two lovers exchange words.
"Ginny!" Harry shouted, "Can I talk to you a moment?"
No! Don't talk to Harry, you bitch! Harry deserves better.
"What is it Harry?" she asked.
"I wanted to apologize for not saying anything nights ago. I really like you and I love being around you, I just... I don't know if it's love. Yet. Give me time!" Harry pleaded.
No! Reject him so he can come to me and I can comfort him. For a moment I thought my request had been fulfilled (the look on Ginny's face) but a second later, Ginny grinned, took Harry by the hand and began to walk away. I followed after quietly.
"Where are we going?"
"Well... we've got loads of make-up sex to look forward to. If we want to get it all done, we're going to have to hurry up!" she said. I reared back, turned on my heel and fled the corridor as fast as I could. I burst out of the school onto the front steps and hurtled down to the lake. I collapsed beside it. Then I let out a hopeless cry of rage, saddness and utter hope. Strange, there was no hope left in me and I still went on hoping. Maybe one day, one glorious day, Ginny and Harry would break up. Oh how I hoped!
I lay back on the grass and stared up at the cerulean sky, clustered with white puffs of cloud. I groaned when one seemed to take the shape of a lightning bolt. I was just drifting off when someone plopped themself beside me very loudly and said: "Don't you just hate clouds. They always take the shape of horrible things." I cracked one eye open to find Ron lying there next to me.
I've had a lot of shocks in my life, but never one that big. Seeing Ron right next to me, speaking of the one thing I was thinking about, made me about ready to scream in terror and punch Ron, before running away. I didn't do that, obviously.
"Hey..." I greeted slowly, still rather surprised.
"Hermione says you're fun to hang around. She's spending the day with her roommates and she told me to come find you. I saw you running toward the lake and thought that now was as good a time as any to get to know you better. My two best friends seem to think you're not half bad. But there you are. Insane."
I stared at him. Was it possible for one person to say so many words without stalling? Yes. Hermione does that. Fits that the two of them would be dating.
"Er -"
"Sorry. When I'm nervous, I babble. So what is it with your sudden interest in the three of us?" I cocked my head to the side to face him. I shrugged.
"I enjoy talking to Hermione, 'cause she's smart. Harry understands me 'cause he's been through a lot of the stuff I have."
"Ah. I see. Tell me, what does Hermione say about me?" Ron asked. I smirked.
"Not a lot," I drawled and Ron laughed. At least he understood I was joking when I said things like that. Everyone else took them so seriously.
"Here I was thinking I was so very important to Hermione," Ron said.
"You are," I said shortly. Ron's eyes went wide. "She really likes you. I probably shouldn't say anything, but when you two took that kissing break, she wouldn't stop talking about you. Seemed if she couldn't get her hands on you, she'd talk about getting her hands on you instead." Ron laughed again.
"You should talk to Harry about that," he said and I frowned, "what?"
"Nothing. I'm guessing you did the same to him?"
"Give the boy a million galleons," Ron said in a very monotonous voice. I was surprised to hear myself laugh. "So what about you? Any love interests? Probably none of my business, but I'm curious."
"Everyone is. Well there's a Ravenclaw."
"Cho?" Ron asked right away. I stared at him, mouth agape.
"Er..." I began, "not my type."
"Prefer blondes?" he asked, eyes flicking to my own locks of hair.
"No, I love black hair. Just... she's.... too plain for me. I like mine complex."
"Something we have in common," said Ron, smiling.
"Yeah. So.... what's new with the Weasley clan?" I inquired.
"Bill's getting married next summer to this chick he met in Egypt. Her name is Ritzy! I don't like her, but there you are. Charlie's got a girlfriend. Carol. I love her. Reminds me so much of Hermione, it's scary. Percy and Penelope are on their honeymoon. They're coming home soon. It's supposed a trip 'round the world and it was going to last a whole year, but Penelope found out she's pregnant. Eww. I'm going to be an uncle. Uncle Ron (A/N: I have an Uncle Ron! Not that you care) taking care of nephew Percy Jr. *So* would not be surprised," Ron said when I looked horrified, "Fred and George are probably the most successful. They've opened this great shop in France. Met French twins! Can you believe it! Kind of scary. George said in his most recent letter that he's thinking of dumping his half and going out with this woman who keeps coming by the shop to talk to him. They learned French and wrote me letters that I didn't understand."
"Percy Junior!" I cried in detest, "that's a horrible name!" Ron laughed.
"Yeah I know. Says he's also considering Pheobe, Lydia, and Elcy. I think Lydia and Elcy are rather gothic names, don't you?"
"Lydia, but not Elcy. My grandmother's name was Elcy. So not gothic!" I was getting very used to Ron's laugh by now.
"So how's your wand-toating family?" the red head asked in nothing else but a curious tone.
"Well. Father and Mother are visiting Brazil on "business". I think they're hiding. That's it, really."
"That's all. Well, tell me about yourself then, if there's nothing else about your family," Ron said, ripping a handful of grass out of the ground and throwing it a few feet away.
"Okay. I want to graduate, become Minister of Magic, I want to marry someone really honest and kind. Then I want to adopt a Canadian (A/N: Go Canada!) baby girl and name her Joanne. Not sure why. Just want to."
"Interesting. I want to graduate, become an auror, marry Hermione, have a girl named Jenny and a boy named Pierre. Hermione hates Pierre, though. Wants Ricky. As long as I get Jenny!" I laughed.
"An auror?"
"Yes, ever since Barty Crouch Jr. came and mentioned being an auror, I've been obsessed. Dad thinks I'm mad and that I'm going to get myself killed but he's just being the protective father he has to be."
"How is your dad?"
"He got a raise. Ginny and I got real dress robes, not ones from a second hand shop. Ginny's are light blue, mine are black, I think. Change colour. Mum's cool. Pulling her hair out. She knows I'm leaving this year and then Ginny next year. She says she's going to miss the two of us terribly."
"And she probably will," I said and Ron nodded his consent. We lay there in silence for about five minutes. Those five minutes were amazing. It gave me time to reflect upon everything. I knew Ron was my friend. And we didn't even have to say it. We just knew.
*
We were in Potions. Harry was my partner. He came over and plopped himself in the seat next to me and smiled.
"So... I don't know how to do this potion, I'll need lots of help." He brushed his hair out of his eyes and it was all I could do to not run my hands through it.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," I said. We set to work. Halfway through the lesson (during which I blatantly let my hand brush against his every so often) I saw he wasn't stirring properly. So I put my hand on his and and helped him stir the potion properly.
"Remember. In a smooth, rythmical pattern. It should feel very relaxed." Harry wasn't looking at the potion or our hands. He was looking right into my eyes. After a moment, the spoon was swallowed up into the potion. Suddenly, we couldn't seem to get closer to each other. His hands were around my neck. My hands were sifting through his hair, exploring the soft sensation of it against my bare skin. His mouth tasted just like I imagined it would. A mix of pepper and strawberry. His scent was intoxicating. I couldn't breathe but it didn't matter. I just kept on kissing him.... urgently, desperately.
I woke with a start, gasping and moaning. It was the feeling of slow, sad reality creeping back into my mind, body and soul. I was rather terrified. The dream had been so real. I'd actually thought I was kissing Harry, touching Harry, loving Harry. I realized that that wasn't reality at all. Harry had a girlfriend so he wasn't attracted to men, let alone myself.
I was so scared I started crying. Not loud, blubbering tears. Just little helpless tears that no one could hear. My hands felt cold and my lips... they were empty. I wanted Harry so badly, I would do anything to get him.
Anything. I thought about it, and I started to realize just what 'anything' was. I would do everything in my power to break up Harry and Ginny. And I knew I wouldn't even feel bad about it. The trouble was doing it without letting anyone know. I hopped out of bed and grabbed a roll of parchment and a quill. Then I sat down to think up ideas. After an hour, I had come up with plenty. I read the first idea off the page and grinned.
Lend "Life in the Fancy" to Harry in front of Ginny.
It was simple. I couldn't wait. Here was some of the old Draco coming back. It felt great!
*
"Potter!" I shouted down the corridor. Harry and his girlfriend stopped and turned to face me. It was a week after I'd started Operation Break Up. I hadn't been able to find "Life in the Fancy" until halway through the week, and then I hadn't found Harry and Ginny alone together. It was Friday, and there were two hours before supper. Operation Break Up was about to begin.
"Yes Malfoy?"
"I finished my book, so you can borrow it now, if you'd like..." I replied, holding it out for him. Ginny grabbed it from my outstretched hand and peered at it.
"What's it about?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, nothing -" Harry started to say but I interrupted him.
"The trials and tribulations of Jake and Doug, two wizards madly in love." Ginny ganced at me, then fixed her stare on Harry.
"Why are you reading this?" she inquired.
"He really enjoys this kind of stuff," I said and Harry glared at me. (It hurt but I could forget about it momentarily).
"Malfoy! What are you talking about! I do not enjoy this stuff. I never asked for this book," Hary denied. I gave him a confused look.
"But you said you did. When we were having that conversation down that corridor. I asked if you wanted to borrow the book and you said -"
"I said absolutely not, Malfoy. Now get lost!" he said hastily. I nodded.
"All right. But just in case you change your mind, here it is anyway," I said, placing it among the books he was holding in his arms already, "cheers!" I turned and stalked off, smiling to myself. Phase one of Operation Break Up had begun.
*
"Professor..." I began, stepping up to the Potion Master's desk, "I really look up to you. Could you help me?"
"Depends on what you need help on, Mr Malfoy," Professor Snape answered. I nodded.
"See there's this person I kind of fancy. But..." I said, for there was no point in getting Snape worked up if he wasn't comfortable with tha kind of stuff, "but she's sort of already dating someone. I really like her, Professor. I think I love her. How could I possibly get her boyfriend and her to break-up?"
"I see. I shouldn't be telling you this, but seeing as you're my favourite pupil..." he motioned for me to sit down and continued, "jealousy, Mr Malfoy, is a very terrible evil. It corrupts one's mind and causes them to believe irrational things. If you can get this boyfriend of hers really jealous.... perhaps he'll break up with her." I nodded and wrote it down.
"Thank you, sir," I said and left the office. Snape can be really kind if he likes you, but he still creeps me out sometimes.
As I made my way back toward my private chambers given to me by my Head Boy privelages, I thought. Was I doing the right thing? Would this actually work? I truly hoped so.
As I stepped into the Entrance Hall, I was met by the sight of my two *favourite* people snogging each other's brains out. I yelped and they stopped. Harry looked guilty, while Ginny looked irritated I'd ended their make out session. I shuddered and forced a smile on my face.
"Hello. What do you think of the book?" I asked.
"I haven't started it yet," he said but his face told me otherwise. I nodded at him, with one of those knowing looks on my visage. Harry blushed crimson and I grinned.
"I particularly enjoyed the reunion scene with Jake and Doug. I think you will too," I said, smiled again and walked past him, brushing his crotch as I went.
I brushed his crotch! I actually brushed his crotch! It was great! Er... as far as touching crotches goes. Right?
So I had to deal with Harry looking at me differently during Potions, but it disappeared in Care of Magical Creatures, which was certainly eventful.
"Stroke the centaur softly.... with a rhythmical pattern... softly and deftly... make sure you're not hurting it, Pansy," Hagrid was saying. Everyone in the class had their own centaur, and I had... Firenze! I was actually really happy about it.
"Have you talked to Harry?" he asked me after a short silence.
"We're friends," I replied.
"Nothing more?"
"No, he's dating someone else."
"That's a shame. Well if you're meant to be, then you'll get together no matter the circumstances."
"I'm not sure I can wait, Firenze," I replied, placing a hand on his neck, "I like him too much to see him with someone else. It's tearing me up inside."
"I understand how painful it must be for you," he comforted.
"No you don't, " I said flatly, "I will do anything to get Harry. That's what I've decided. If that means I have to hurt him in the process, so be it." Firenze whipped around and stared at me.
"You are thinking only of yourself," he spat, "stop being so selfish!"
"I am not being selfish. I'm angry. Why can't I have the one person I want?" I demanded. He had a cold look in his eyes that made me shiver.
"You are being selfish, " he said, lowering his voice, "you are not thinking of Harry. This friend of his may be really special to him."
"But she's not! He told me he doesn't love her!" I said desperately, feeling on the verge of tears. Tears of frustration.
"Well.... until he can realize that he can't be with her because of that, you're stuck where you are."
"Yes, or I go along with my plan and split them up."
"Draco. If you go along with that plan, you'll ruin what it is you've got with Harry right now. Don't do that, Draco. Trust me as I've trusted you. Do not do that to him. You will regret it." I stared at Firenze, thinking hard. Finally, I nodded slowly and Firenze's gaze softened. Then we went for a walk around the lake, where I had time to sort out my ever complicated thoughts. What if Harry never realized he couldn't be with Ginny because he didn't love her? At the end of the class, was still fretting over that question.
*
The four of us together for the first time since we'd become friends. Ron, Harry, Hermione and I sat in the library, surrounded by books.
"The NEWTS aren't too far away."
"They're in June, it's November," Ron pointed out.
"Yes, we'll get a head start. You think it's a good idea, don't you Draco?" Hermione asked, eyes travelling to me.
"Huh? Oh... yeah." I'd been drifting off into my thoughts lately.
"If you don't want to be here, you don't have to be," Hermione said. I knew she was offended.
"Hermione, I was just thinking. Of course I want to be here. I'm sorry." Hermione smiled and nodded.
"Well, might as well get going. Dinner is in ten minutes. Let's go," Hermione said and we all stood up. As we got into the corridor, Ron and Hermione grew interested in each other and it gave me a chance to put my second plan into action. It didn't work out.
"Harry. Can I talk to you a second?"
"Sure Malfoy, what is it?" he asked. My surname hung in the air unpleasantly.
"Well," I said, sighing, "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me on Saturday. I want to go to Hogsmeade and I was thinking you'd like to join me."
"I would, but I'm meeting Ginny there," Harry said and his eyes seemed to apologize for him. It wasn't enough.
"Harry," I said letting out a short laugh, "you can't keep this up. Staying with Ginny. I know you don't love her." Harry gave me a strange look and there was a long silence where I wished I could grab my words out of the air and take them back.
"What gives you that idea?"
"You told me."
"Right," Harry remembered.
"You don't have to continue going around with her," I tried again.
"Want saome gum?" Harry was pointing to a pack of gum in his hands. I shook my head. He put it away and we walked on some more. "And yes I do," he said.
"No you don't."
"You don't quite get it, Malfoy. Ginny loves *me*. If I break up with her I'll be hurting her. I don't liked hurting people, Draco. I'm going to ask her to marry me sometime this year." I gaped at him. This was impossible. "I know we're both young, but I think we're ready. She loves me and -"
"You don't love her. You can't do that, Harry."
"You just said my first name. You've never done that before."
"Yes I have, you just never noticed before now," I said with a trace of regret in my voice, "You can't lie to yourself. It wouldn't be fair to you or Ginny."
"Okay, so what? I break up with Ginny and she gets hurt. Wow. I'll be the Weasley brothers' target for years."
"Better she find out now, than later. If she finds out you've lead her on, she'll be furious."
"That's why I'm going to tell her I love her," Harry said.
"That's a lie!" I shouted loudly.
"Be that as it may, it's for the benefit of someone else. Malfoy, I'm not going to hurt anyone here. I refuse to. We'll both be fine. Stop worrying about it." Then he turned and actually walked away.
The problem was he was hurting me so badly right then, it was like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and stomped on furiously by he himself. So he was hurting someone. Me. I doubted whether he'd ever stop hurting me. And now it was too late. I'd waited too long. I had to no one to blame but myself.
That was short. I couldn't think of anything else to put after that. So the next chapter will be nice and long.
I didn't want that to happen, my muse Todd made me write it. I'm so sorry! To make up for it, there will be more Draco/Harry in the next chapter but you probably won't like it then either. Hell, you'll hate it. I apologize before I put the chapter up because I know you're all going to hurl tomatoes and sharp objects at me when you read it. So... Sorry!
But what did you think? Other than the fact that you hated it with a passion. Let me know. I need feedback, whether negative or positive. 8- )
Tine