Chapter Five
*~*~*
If you could step into my head, tell me would you still know me?
And if you woke up in my bed, tell me would you hold me?
Or would you simply let it lie
And then leave me to wonder why?
~So I Need You by Three Doors Down~
*~*~*
Potions the next day was less than bearable. Snape was in a particularly vicious mood, and continued taking points from Gryffindor. Draco, needless to say, helped.
"Professor?" Draco called out halfway through the class. "Professor, didn't you specifically say only three salamander tails would suffice?" Snape glided over to the table where Draco was stuck working with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Did they never split up?
"Yes Mr. Malfoy, I believe I did. Why?" he asked, his malicious eyes glaring at Harry. Draco smirked.
"You see, Professor," he started, staring at the Golden Boy also, "Potter here decided to add four to his potion. I thought that would sour the potion, sir." He flipped through his notes for added effect. "Yes, it says right here, a mistake with the salamander tails will ruin the potion." Then Draco sat back and watched the drama unfold.
"Mr. Potter, just because everyone in this school fancies you a hero, does not mean you can get away with murder in my class." Snape thought for a moment, the corners of his mouth upturning into a sadistic smile. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor, and let that be a reminder next time you decide to let your attention wander in my class."
Weasley, who had to sit next to Draco, bore holes into his head as he worked diligently on his potion, resisting the urge to burst out laughing. Across the table, Hermione and Harry were whispering.
* * *
"Hermione, I swear, it was only three. I know I added three!"
"Harry, count your tails." He counted; there was only one left out of his original five.
"Oh."
"Harry, are you all right? You haven't been yourself lately."
Harry glanced across the table to where Malfoy sat, working on his potion. He didn't look up, but his face portrayed a sort of half smile. Harry looked away. "I'm fine, just a bit… preoccupied."
Hermione followed Harry's eyes, and leaned even closer so no one could hear what she was about to say. "Harry, this… ah… preoccupation doesn't have anything to do with Malfoy, does it?" Harry's head snapped up.
"Of course not! Why would you think that I would willingly… that I could ever think… that it would be possible for me to…" Harry faltered, unable to find the words. "Hermione, I'm just having a bad day."
"Did you ever talk to him like I said?" she asked.
"Yes."
"And…"
"And nothing happened. He acted like Malfoy! I offered him my friendship, and he refused. He accused me of… of less than honorable intentions," Harry skirted around the real accusation, "and walked away before I could mumble another word. I tried Hermione, but there's just no talking to him!"
Hermione sighed. "Harry, did you ever stop to think he might be sore with you?"
Harry glared at Hermione. "What on earth did I ever do to him to make him sore with me?"
"He tried the same thing when you two first met, and you refused. Don't you remember? He's just giving you a taste of your own medicine."
"Really Hermione, who's side are you on?" And that was the end of the conversation. They finished their potions, cleaned their equipment, and waited for Snape to dismiss the class. Harry sat with Ron and Hermione for a bit, trying to just hang around, but his head was too clouded to work properly. He needed to fly, to clear his head. His last class for the day was Astronomy, but that wasn't until midnight. Waving bye to Ron and Hermione in the common room, Harry headed out to the Quidditch pitch. He had some thinking to do.
Darkness had just fallen when Harry walked out onto the Quidditch pitch ten minutes later. He almost cried aloud in frustration. Someone was already flying high above the stands. The flyer took a sharp turn, and Harry thought he saw a glint of silver hair in the fresh moonlight. He swore under his breath, realizing whom it was.
"Malfoy…"
* * *
Draco wasn't sure how long he had been flying. All he knew was things had never made so much sense. These feelings had never been more understood. His father had never seemed so weak, and Potter had never been more enticing…
Potter was the reason he was out here in the first place. Draco always flew when things troubled him, and this thing with the Golden Boy was troubling. Draco couldn't decide what he was angrier about: his feelings towards Potter, or the hand of friendship he had been offered. "I suppose it makes no difference," Draco mused aloud, "as Father will have a coronary if he ever finds out."
Although why his father would be angry, Draco wasn't entirely sure. It was completely normal in the wizarding world to harbor same-sex tendencies. Draco chuckled. Same sex tendencies. Wizards couldn't handle werewolves but found homosexuals completely natural. It was odd.
And then there was the matter of this particular wizard Draco had bestowed his admiration upon. Out of all the wizards in all the world, Draco had chosen the famous Boy Who Lived. Not a bad choice, mind you. He was certain he couldn't be the only person with eyes for the Golden Boy. After all, Potter was famous, smart, humble, loyal, dashing, fantastic at Quidditch, and had the most amazing eyes Draco had ever seen. It was a miracle people didn't swoon at the mention of his name.
But he was getting carried away. Draco took a sharp turn to knock some sense into him, and saw in the moonlight a silhouette standing at the entrance to the field. For a fleeting moment, Draco thought it was a teacher. But when he saw a broomstick held precariously over the shadow's shoulder, he realized it must have been a student. Draco flew a little closer and noticed the specific student it was - Potter.
He wasn't moving, so Draco flew down and landed softly on the grass in front of him. Harry gasped slightly and took an involuntary step back. Draco smirked.
"What are you doing here?" he fumed. Draco's smirk widened.
"It's a free country, Potter. I can fly when I want, where I want." Draco knew he was pushing the other boy's limits - he was sure Potter had had enough of him for one day - but he couldn't help himself. "Are you man enough to handle that?"
* * *
Harry stared. Man enough to handle it? What was Malfoy playing at? Just trying to get me to back off, no doubt, Harry thought. Then he had an idea. Without so much as a glance at the other boy, Harry had mounted his broom and was hovering just about Draco's head.
"Potter, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Draco shouted. Harry laughed.
"Just thought you might be up to a little friendly competition. What's the matter Malfoy? Aren't you man enough to handle it?"
Draco sneered at having his words thrown back in his face. Within a second, Draco was on his broom and the two boys were flying high, circling one another in the air.
"Gotten worse over the summer I see," Harry called, but really the opposite was true. Draco had gotten better - a lot better. Harry would have to work harder this year to beat him at Quidditch.
"Potter, don't waste time on mindless chatter; let's play." Draco stopped and hovered, reaching inside his pocket and withdrawing a small ball of light. "It's an Enchanted Snitch. It has a homing charm - you can't possibly lose it. And I added the light spell to see it in the dark." Draco held it in the palm of his hand and it flew off. Harry was surprised. "So, what are you waiting for? Let's go. Loser kisses Snape in front of the whole Potions class tomorrow!" Harry, knowing it had to be a joke - right? - followed.
For a good hour and a half, Draco and Harry looked for the Snitch. Sometimes one would throw a comment at the other, but they were both too preoccupied to really hate the other. Finally, Harry started to get tired.
"Malfoy, we're never going to find the Snitch tonight. Let's call it quits, okay?" Draco looped up and around Harry, pulling his broom steady in front of him. Harry gasped.
"What's the matter, afraid you'll lose?" Draco sneered. Harry laughed.
"You wish."
They flew for a bit more, when Draco yelled out across the stadium. "Hey, Potter!" Harry looked over.
"Just play, Malfoy. No 'mindless chatter'!"
Draco smiled, though in the darkness Harry couldn't see it. "Well for once, Golden Boy, I have a legitimate question to ask you." He flew closer to Harry. "Did you mean what you said the other day? About wanting to be my friend?" Harry almost collided with one of the goal posts; Draco laughed and made a sharp turn through one of the holes. Harry followed.
"Of… oomph… Of course I did. I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it."
Draco turned around to look Harry in the eye. "But why? We've no less than wanted each other dead for the past four years. Why do you suddenly want to be my friend?" Harry raised an eyebrow and cut Draco off. He choked back a laugh. "It's not as if I'm considering it or anything. I just want to know."
"Right. Sure, Malfoy. You know, Hermione said that maybe you're reluctant to accept because I refused your friendship when we met, remember?"
Draco snorted. "Granger thinks she knows it all, doesn't she? And… wait. I am not reluctant!" For the first time in his life, Draco was dead sure about what he wanted. He just wasn't sure he wanted to be sure.
"So, you accept then?"
"I never said that either!"
"Really Draco, I thought you were so much more articulate that this."
"Oh Harry, it's just around you I get so flustered." Harry laughed.
"You… you think that's funny?" Draco asked uncertainly.
"You know Draco, I'm not scared off by your testimony of desire."
"Testimony of what?"
"Seriously. When we served out detention, I admit I was a bit freaked by what you told me, but I've gotten used to it. I talked it over with Hermione-"
"Her again!"
"-And decided that it doesn't spook me. Sorry, as much as you must want it to, it doesn't. It was a good thing you told me about your, ah… feelings."
"Don't tell me you're returning them Potter!" Draco scoffed. Inside though, his stomach flipped.
"No! I mean, well, I don't know… Listen, I'm offering friendship here! Why can't you be a big boy and accept?"
"Why do you want me to so much?" Draco asked.
"Because… well, it think we both need this friendship. And lord knows Dumbledore will approve. 'Friendship between houses? Splendid!'" Harry mimicked. Draco had never heard Harry mock the Headmaster before. True, he never had before. Draco suddenly felt respect towards his dark haired rival.
"All right, Potter, let's just say I accept this. I don't think our friends will jump at this sudden pact between us."
Harry thought for a moment. That was true. Hermione might have pushed him to this point, but Ron wouldn't see eye to eye. And he doubted whether the rest of his friends would be thrilled about him befriending a Slytherin, and a Malfoy no less!
"Well… we don't have to become all buddy-buddy right away. We can ease into a friendship. I think it might be easier on our own immune systems as well."
Draco nodded and smiled. "Do you think this will curb my 'desire', as you so lovingly nicknamed it?" He laughed.
"Come on Draco. One step at a time, shall we?" They flew around for a bit more before, tired and sweating, decided to call their impromptu practice a night. They both landed softly on the grass and started walking up the slopes to the castle.
"So Potter, how do you suppose we go about 'easing into' this friendship?" Draco asked suddenly. Harry thought.
"Well, calling me Harry instead of Potter couldn't hurt."
"Alright Harry, what else?"
"Maybe laying off of the teasing? From both houses, I promise." Harry stopped walking and held out his hand. "Is this a deal?"
Draco looked at the Gryffindor's outstretched hand. He knew better than to expect a trick; he could tell by those dazzling emerald eyes that Harry's intentions were honorable. He grasped Harry's hand.
"Deal, Golden Boy."
"No calling me Golden Boy either!"
"Oh, but that just takes all the fun out of it!"
"Well, find some other way to have fun then." Harry's eyes sparkled with the joke. Draco took a step closer.
"Hmmm, that'll be hard with you as my new friend, I'd wager…" Draco smiled, a true smile. He could see Harry start to blush. It was actually quite endearing. Then, he felt something wrong - he, Draco, was blushing as well!
Draco turned a bit away from Harry and looked up at the moon. "It's almost midnight," he remarked softly. Harry looked up too, though he had no talent for telling time from the moon.
"Midnight?" he exclaimed. Draco nodded. "Oh no, I've got Astronomy tonight! Draco, I've got to go! I'll - I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sure, Golden Boy," Draco answered, pouting slightly. "Leave me in my time of need."
"Draco!" Harry cried.
"I'm just joking, Harry! Go to class; I'll see you tomorrow."
Harry looked calmer as he began to run back to the castle, but faltered when he heard Draco's voice.
"Hey Harry!"
Harry turned. "Yeah?"
Draco looked at the ground; he looked at the moon; his broom; anywhere but Harry's eyes.
"Thanks."
* * *
The next morning, Harry awoke to loud bickering coming from the common room. Rolling out of bed, he stumbled down the stairs to see Ron and Hermione standing at either ends of the common room, shouting furiously at each other. A few innocent first years caught in the crossfire were huddling in the corner.
"I never said that, Hermione!"
"Oh don't lie Ron, I see the way you look at her!"
Harry groaned inwardly from his place amongst the shadows of the staircase. Perhaps it would be safer to hide here for now. They were fighting, yet again, about Annie, a particularly attractive girl in Ginny's year. Hermione thought Ron had a thing for her, and as it was quite common knowledge Annie doted on Ron, Hermione's concerns were not far off. But she did take it to the next extreme.
"I did not grab her arse!"
"I saw you!"
Harry cleared his throat, and the two glanced at him briefly before continuing.
"Listen to me Hermione, I am with you, why the hell would I want her?"
Hermione seemed to be quieting down. "Because she's prettier than I am…" she mumbled. Ron sighed and crossed the room. The first years ran out through the portrait hole.
"Oh, she is not. You're ten times more beautiful than what's-her-name. Isn't that right Harry?" Ron tried to comfort her, putting his arms around her and glaring meaningfully at towards the stairs.
Harry nodded. "Oh, of course! Hermione, you're a radiant beauty. A regular Aphrodite."
Hermione giggled. "Come on Harry, I know you're exaggerating a bit."
"Well, maybe, but you never cared about stuff like appearances before. Hermione, Ron doesn't care about it either. Right?" Ron nodded feverishly. "I'm sure it was only a quick peek anyway. All the guys have." Ron blushed and looked down.
"Have you, Harry?"
"Um…" Harry thought about it. Sure, he thought Hermione was beautiful, in her own plain way, but he hadn't really considered any other girls' appearances after his thing with Cho. It was something to think about. "Yeah. Sure. She's pretty, I guess."
Ron started to say "You guess?!" but shut up with a glance at Hermione. Harry laughed and went down to breakfast.
*~*~*
If you could step into my head, tell me would you still know me?
And if you woke up in my bed, tell me would you hold me?
Or would you simply let it lie
And then leave me to wonder why?
~So I Need You by Three Doors Down~
*~*~*
Potions the next day was less than bearable. Snape was in a particularly vicious mood, and continued taking points from Gryffindor. Draco, needless to say, helped.
"Professor?" Draco called out halfway through the class. "Professor, didn't you specifically say only three salamander tails would suffice?" Snape glided over to the table where Draco was stuck working with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Did they never split up?
"Yes Mr. Malfoy, I believe I did. Why?" he asked, his malicious eyes glaring at Harry. Draco smirked.
"You see, Professor," he started, staring at the Golden Boy also, "Potter here decided to add four to his potion. I thought that would sour the potion, sir." He flipped through his notes for added effect. "Yes, it says right here, a mistake with the salamander tails will ruin the potion." Then Draco sat back and watched the drama unfold.
"Mr. Potter, just because everyone in this school fancies you a hero, does not mean you can get away with murder in my class." Snape thought for a moment, the corners of his mouth upturning into a sadistic smile. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor, and let that be a reminder next time you decide to let your attention wander in my class."
Weasley, who had to sit next to Draco, bore holes into his head as he worked diligently on his potion, resisting the urge to burst out laughing. Across the table, Hermione and Harry were whispering.
* * *
"Hermione, I swear, it was only three. I know I added three!"
"Harry, count your tails." He counted; there was only one left out of his original five.
"Oh."
"Harry, are you all right? You haven't been yourself lately."
Harry glanced across the table to where Malfoy sat, working on his potion. He didn't look up, but his face portrayed a sort of half smile. Harry looked away. "I'm fine, just a bit… preoccupied."
Hermione followed Harry's eyes, and leaned even closer so no one could hear what she was about to say. "Harry, this… ah… preoccupation doesn't have anything to do with Malfoy, does it?" Harry's head snapped up.
"Of course not! Why would you think that I would willingly… that I could ever think… that it would be possible for me to…" Harry faltered, unable to find the words. "Hermione, I'm just having a bad day."
"Did you ever talk to him like I said?" she asked.
"Yes."
"And…"
"And nothing happened. He acted like Malfoy! I offered him my friendship, and he refused. He accused me of… of less than honorable intentions," Harry skirted around the real accusation, "and walked away before I could mumble another word. I tried Hermione, but there's just no talking to him!"
Hermione sighed. "Harry, did you ever stop to think he might be sore with you?"
Harry glared at Hermione. "What on earth did I ever do to him to make him sore with me?"
"He tried the same thing when you two first met, and you refused. Don't you remember? He's just giving you a taste of your own medicine."
"Really Hermione, who's side are you on?" And that was the end of the conversation. They finished their potions, cleaned their equipment, and waited for Snape to dismiss the class. Harry sat with Ron and Hermione for a bit, trying to just hang around, but his head was too clouded to work properly. He needed to fly, to clear his head. His last class for the day was Astronomy, but that wasn't until midnight. Waving bye to Ron and Hermione in the common room, Harry headed out to the Quidditch pitch. He had some thinking to do.
Darkness had just fallen when Harry walked out onto the Quidditch pitch ten minutes later. He almost cried aloud in frustration. Someone was already flying high above the stands. The flyer took a sharp turn, and Harry thought he saw a glint of silver hair in the fresh moonlight. He swore under his breath, realizing whom it was.
"Malfoy…"
* * *
Draco wasn't sure how long he had been flying. All he knew was things had never made so much sense. These feelings had never been more understood. His father had never seemed so weak, and Potter had never been more enticing…
Potter was the reason he was out here in the first place. Draco always flew when things troubled him, and this thing with the Golden Boy was troubling. Draco couldn't decide what he was angrier about: his feelings towards Potter, or the hand of friendship he had been offered. "I suppose it makes no difference," Draco mused aloud, "as Father will have a coronary if he ever finds out."
Although why his father would be angry, Draco wasn't entirely sure. It was completely normal in the wizarding world to harbor same-sex tendencies. Draco chuckled. Same sex tendencies. Wizards couldn't handle werewolves but found homosexuals completely natural. It was odd.
And then there was the matter of this particular wizard Draco had bestowed his admiration upon. Out of all the wizards in all the world, Draco had chosen the famous Boy Who Lived. Not a bad choice, mind you. He was certain he couldn't be the only person with eyes for the Golden Boy. After all, Potter was famous, smart, humble, loyal, dashing, fantastic at Quidditch, and had the most amazing eyes Draco had ever seen. It was a miracle people didn't swoon at the mention of his name.
But he was getting carried away. Draco took a sharp turn to knock some sense into him, and saw in the moonlight a silhouette standing at the entrance to the field. For a fleeting moment, Draco thought it was a teacher. But when he saw a broomstick held precariously over the shadow's shoulder, he realized it must have been a student. Draco flew a little closer and noticed the specific student it was - Potter.
He wasn't moving, so Draco flew down and landed softly on the grass in front of him. Harry gasped slightly and took an involuntary step back. Draco smirked.
"What are you doing here?" he fumed. Draco's smirk widened.
"It's a free country, Potter. I can fly when I want, where I want." Draco knew he was pushing the other boy's limits - he was sure Potter had had enough of him for one day - but he couldn't help himself. "Are you man enough to handle that?"
* * *
Harry stared. Man enough to handle it? What was Malfoy playing at? Just trying to get me to back off, no doubt, Harry thought. Then he had an idea. Without so much as a glance at the other boy, Harry had mounted his broom and was hovering just about Draco's head.
"Potter, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Draco shouted. Harry laughed.
"Just thought you might be up to a little friendly competition. What's the matter Malfoy? Aren't you man enough to handle it?"
Draco sneered at having his words thrown back in his face. Within a second, Draco was on his broom and the two boys were flying high, circling one another in the air.
"Gotten worse over the summer I see," Harry called, but really the opposite was true. Draco had gotten better - a lot better. Harry would have to work harder this year to beat him at Quidditch.
"Potter, don't waste time on mindless chatter; let's play." Draco stopped and hovered, reaching inside his pocket and withdrawing a small ball of light. "It's an Enchanted Snitch. It has a homing charm - you can't possibly lose it. And I added the light spell to see it in the dark." Draco held it in the palm of his hand and it flew off. Harry was surprised. "So, what are you waiting for? Let's go. Loser kisses Snape in front of the whole Potions class tomorrow!" Harry, knowing it had to be a joke - right? - followed.
For a good hour and a half, Draco and Harry looked for the Snitch. Sometimes one would throw a comment at the other, but they were both too preoccupied to really hate the other. Finally, Harry started to get tired.
"Malfoy, we're never going to find the Snitch tonight. Let's call it quits, okay?" Draco looped up and around Harry, pulling his broom steady in front of him. Harry gasped.
"What's the matter, afraid you'll lose?" Draco sneered. Harry laughed.
"You wish."
They flew for a bit more, when Draco yelled out across the stadium. "Hey, Potter!" Harry looked over.
"Just play, Malfoy. No 'mindless chatter'!"
Draco smiled, though in the darkness Harry couldn't see it. "Well for once, Golden Boy, I have a legitimate question to ask you." He flew closer to Harry. "Did you mean what you said the other day? About wanting to be my friend?" Harry almost collided with one of the goal posts; Draco laughed and made a sharp turn through one of the holes. Harry followed.
"Of… oomph… Of course I did. I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it."
Draco turned around to look Harry in the eye. "But why? We've no less than wanted each other dead for the past four years. Why do you suddenly want to be my friend?" Harry raised an eyebrow and cut Draco off. He choked back a laugh. "It's not as if I'm considering it or anything. I just want to know."
"Right. Sure, Malfoy. You know, Hermione said that maybe you're reluctant to accept because I refused your friendship when we met, remember?"
Draco snorted. "Granger thinks she knows it all, doesn't she? And… wait. I am not reluctant!" For the first time in his life, Draco was dead sure about what he wanted. He just wasn't sure he wanted to be sure.
"So, you accept then?"
"I never said that either!"
"Really Draco, I thought you were so much more articulate that this."
"Oh Harry, it's just around you I get so flustered." Harry laughed.
"You… you think that's funny?" Draco asked uncertainly.
"You know Draco, I'm not scared off by your testimony of desire."
"Testimony of what?"
"Seriously. When we served out detention, I admit I was a bit freaked by what you told me, but I've gotten used to it. I talked it over with Hermione-"
"Her again!"
"-And decided that it doesn't spook me. Sorry, as much as you must want it to, it doesn't. It was a good thing you told me about your, ah… feelings."
"Don't tell me you're returning them Potter!" Draco scoffed. Inside though, his stomach flipped.
"No! I mean, well, I don't know… Listen, I'm offering friendship here! Why can't you be a big boy and accept?"
"Why do you want me to so much?" Draco asked.
"Because… well, it think we both need this friendship. And lord knows Dumbledore will approve. 'Friendship between houses? Splendid!'" Harry mimicked. Draco had never heard Harry mock the Headmaster before. True, he never had before. Draco suddenly felt respect towards his dark haired rival.
"All right, Potter, let's just say I accept this. I don't think our friends will jump at this sudden pact between us."
Harry thought for a moment. That was true. Hermione might have pushed him to this point, but Ron wouldn't see eye to eye. And he doubted whether the rest of his friends would be thrilled about him befriending a Slytherin, and a Malfoy no less!
"Well… we don't have to become all buddy-buddy right away. We can ease into a friendship. I think it might be easier on our own immune systems as well."
Draco nodded and smiled. "Do you think this will curb my 'desire', as you so lovingly nicknamed it?" He laughed.
"Come on Draco. One step at a time, shall we?" They flew around for a bit more before, tired and sweating, decided to call their impromptu practice a night. They both landed softly on the grass and started walking up the slopes to the castle.
"So Potter, how do you suppose we go about 'easing into' this friendship?" Draco asked suddenly. Harry thought.
"Well, calling me Harry instead of Potter couldn't hurt."
"Alright Harry, what else?"
"Maybe laying off of the teasing? From both houses, I promise." Harry stopped walking and held out his hand. "Is this a deal?"
Draco looked at the Gryffindor's outstretched hand. He knew better than to expect a trick; he could tell by those dazzling emerald eyes that Harry's intentions were honorable. He grasped Harry's hand.
"Deal, Golden Boy."
"No calling me Golden Boy either!"
"Oh, but that just takes all the fun out of it!"
"Well, find some other way to have fun then." Harry's eyes sparkled with the joke. Draco took a step closer.
"Hmmm, that'll be hard with you as my new friend, I'd wager…" Draco smiled, a true smile. He could see Harry start to blush. It was actually quite endearing. Then, he felt something wrong - he, Draco, was blushing as well!
Draco turned a bit away from Harry and looked up at the moon. "It's almost midnight," he remarked softly. Harry looked up too, though he had no talent for telling time from the moon.
"Midnight?" he exclaimed. Draco nodded. "Oh no, I've got Astronomy tonight! Draco, I've got to go! I'll - I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sure, Golden Boy," Draco answered, pouting slightly. "Leave me in my time of need."
"Draco!" Harry cried.
"I'm just joking, Harry! Go to class; I'll see you tomorrow."
Harry looked calmer as he began to run back to the castle, but faltered when he heard Draco's voice.
"Hey Harry!"
Harry turned. "Yeah?"
Draco looked at the ground; he looked at the moon; his broom; anywhere but Harry's eyes.
"Thanks."
* * *
The next morning, Harry awoke to loud bickering coming from the common room. Rolling out of bed, he stumbled down the stairs to see Ron and Hermione standing at either ends of the common room, shouting furiously at each other. A few innocent first years caught in the crossfire were huddling in the corner.
"I never said that, Hermione!"
"Oh don't lie Ron, I see the way you look at her!"
Harry groaned inwardly from his place amongst the shadows of the staircase. Perhaps it would be safer to hide here for now. They were fighting, yet again, about Annie, a particularly attractive girl in Ginny's year. Hermione thought Ron had a thing for her, and as it was quite common knowledge Annie doted on Ron, Hermione's concerns were not far off. But she did take it to the next extreme.
"I did not grab her arse!"
"I saw you!"
Harry cleared his throat, and the two glanced at him briefly before continuing.
"Listen to me Hermione, I am with you, why the hell would I want her?"
Hermione seemed to be quieting down. "Because she's prettier than I am…" she mumbled. Ron sighed and crossed the room. The first years ran out through the portrait hole.
"Oh, she is not. You're ten times more beautiful than what's-her-name. Isn't that right Harry?" Ron tried to comfort her, putting his arms around her and glaring meaningfully at towards the stairs.
Harry nodded. "Oh, of course! Hermione, you're a radiant beauty. A regular Aphrodite."
Hermione giggled. "Come on Harry, I know you're exaggerating a bit."
"Well, maybe, but you never cared about stuff like appearances before. Hermione, Ron doesn't care about it either. Right?" Ron nodded feverishly. "I'm sure it was only a quick peek anyway. All the guys have." Ron blushed and looked down.
"Have you, Harry?"
"Um…" Harry thought about it. Sure, he thought Hermione was beautiful, in her own plain way, but he hadn't really considered any other girls' appearances after his thing with Cho. It was something to think about. "Yeah. Sure. She's pretty, I guess."
Ron started to say "You guess?!" but shut up with a glance at Hermione. Harry laughed and went down to breakfast.
