Chapter Seven
*~*~*
Because I read the Want Ads every day
And the headlines of the papers always say
If you ain't got the do re me, boy
If you ain't got the do re me
You better go back to your beautiful Texas
Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee
Do Re Me original lyrics by Woody Guthrie, my favorite version sung by Ani Difranco
(Yeah, this song bit has nothing to do with the story, its just what I was listening to while writing this chapter)
*~*~*
A few weeks later, Ron had finally calmed down about the whole Malfoy thing. He'd made up with Harry. Hermione too, and they seemed to be getting on perfectly fine. For once.
Ron entered the library quietly, looking around. She had to be in here somewhere. He crouched down a bit more. There, in a far corner in the back of the library, partially hidden behind a towering stack of books, Hermione sat studying. Ron could have laughed out loud. Exams were ages away, teachers hadn't even mentioned OWLs yet, but Hermione still studied diligently. To him, now that he finally accepted the thought, it was adorable.
He crept up behind her soundlessly, determined not to give himself away. Soon Ron was kneeling directly behind her, but he had to hesitate a bit. He never knew she hummed when she studied. Smiling to himself, Ron slipped his arms around Hermione's waist and lightly kissed her cheek. It was almost a shame to disturb her, but as soon as she turned around and he saw her smile, it was worth it.
"Ron!" she exclaimed, laughing. "You frightened me."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it," Ron replied, sitting next to her and closing her book. "You're so tempting."
"Ron, what are you doing?" Hermione asked, trying to sound stern, but still smiling wide. She opened her book back up.
Ron closed it again. "Trying to spend time with my girlfriend."
"But I have to study!"
"Hermione, you're always studying!"
"Ron…" Hermione sighed. He could see what was coming. Best to avoid her wrath at all costs.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you, or interrupt your studying. I'll just go now." Ron opened her book back up and stood, but Hermione grabbed his hand.
"No. Not this time. Sit." He sat, somewhat hesitantly. "Maybe we should talk…"
Ron looked at her. He could tell she was thinking hard about something; she was biting her lip, what she did when studying furiously.
"Ron…"
"Hermione…"
Ron sighed. They wouldn't get anywhere this way. Someone had to talk first, but hell would freeze before he'd break the ice.
Turns out, he didn't need to. "Ron, do you really think this will work?"
"What's 'this', Hermione?"
"This. Us. Together. You know how much I care about you Ron, but really - is this going to work? We're always fighting…"
"Hermione!" Ron could see the pain in her eyes. She was damn near close to tears, and he could tell it was breaking her heart to say these things. "I don't want to hurt you. We can work on whatever may be wrong. We can both change, we'll be okay." He took hold of her hand, and Hermione smiled sadly. "I'll hold my tongue, and you can study less-"
"You just don't get it, do you?!" she exploded, earning a glare from Madam Pince. Ron leaned back in surprise. "I have to study, schoolwork is important to me!"
"Oh, and I'm not?" he responded quietly.
She sighed and slowly withdrew her hand from his. "I never said that."
"Then what are you saying? You know, I think you're the one who doesn't get it. You want me to take a backseat to your obsessive habits, and I refuse." Ron caught himself and paused. "Blimey Hermione, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." He tried to wipe away the tears that were falling freely now, but she skirted around his touch.
"No Ron. I think you did mean it. But guess what? I mean this." Hermione stood up, gathered her books, and walked out without so much as a backward glance.
* * *
Across the castle from Ron and Hermione, Harry and Draco were arguing as well.
"I'm telling you Potter, if it weren't for that stupid Voldemort scare, Bulgaria would've won the Cup!"
"Draco, the Death Eaters attacked after the game. Give it up; Ireland just has the better team!"
The boys had nicked some food from the kitchen and were now on their way back to "the dugout", as Harry fondly named Draco's secret room. This led Harry into an explanation of baseball and an American movie he'd once seen. Now they were arguing over the Quidditch Cup, and gathering blatant stares from students in the halls. Draco laughed at a comment Harry made about Viktor Krum, and a little first year scampered out of the way. Potter and Malfoy, enjoying each other's company, in public?
"Listen Potter, let's call a truce," Draco muttered from behind a stack of food and books. Harry tapped the wall and ushered the other boy into the room. Draco dumped his load on the table.
"Why, Malfoy? Tired of losing?"
"No, Golden Boy - tired of fighting. Let's just face the fact," Draco added, falling down next to Harry on the couch, "that we will never agree on Quidditch."
"Add it to the list!" Harry laughed. He reached over to the table and grabbed two pumpkin pasties. When he turned around to hand one to Draco, he found the other boy staring at him.
"What?"
"Don't you find this the least bit odd?" Draco asked uncertainly.
"What's odd?"
"Potter and Malfoy, sitting on a couch, joking around, enjoying each other's company… as friends."
Harry leaned back into the couch beside Draco and smiled. "I suppose. Do you wish it were different?"
"No," he answered a little too quickly. Harry smiled wider.
"Oh," he said.
"What?" Draco retorted nervously.
"I see. Because of your, well… situation, you're scared I'll decide this won't work out. Or I'll turn this around to tease you. Or worse," he added, realization dawning, "you think I'm doing this out of pity, don't you?"
Draco said nothing. He stared at his pumpkin pasty, but the fact that his face was considerably paler than normal gave his thoughts away.
"You do!"
"Aren't I right?" Draco asked quietly.
"Of course not!"
"Well, can you blame me?" Draco burst, sitting up. "This is so unexpected, and sudden, and completely bizarre! We are complete opposites! All of a sudden my feelings change, but that doesn't mean yours have to. Sooner or later, you'll just-"
"Draco!" Draco stopped and looked at Harry, breathing hard. "Listen to me, Draco. I enjoy this. Yes, its bizarre, and yes, its rather sudden but I can guarantee I would not be here if I didn't want to be." Harry took a deep breath to steady the sudden wave of emotion that had overtaken him. He put a hand on Draco's shoulder to calm the other boy's visible quaking. "As strange as this may be, I am really beginning to value this friendship." He brought a slightly shaking hand up to meet a pale cheek. "Just - just trust me, okay?"
"I have a problem with trust, Potter," Draco muttered, watching Harry's hand out of the corner of his eye.
"Then we'll fix it."
Draco looked straight into Harry's eyes as he reached up and took hold of his hand. He slowly brought it down to rest beside them, and gave it the smallest of squeezes. And then, to Harry's complete bewilderment, Draco leaned forward.
Harry saw him coming as if in slow motion, not registering at all what was happening. He could see Draco's eyes sparkling, sense his presence, feel his hot breath, and yet his mind and body stood still. And then Harry felt skin; soft lips gently, hesitantly brushing against his own, and it all hit him at once with the force of a thousand Bludgers. Awkward movements, fidgeting hands, and weeks worth of unidentified flirting all came crashing to a standstill. After the initial shock, Harry felt something new; complete acceptance. And when he realized he had been kissing Draco back all this time, he jumped back.
"No," he whispered. Draco leaned back as well, flushed. "No… no!" Harry shouted. Draco's eyes widened.
"Harry… oh god, I'm sorry… I didn't think…" Draco kept sputtering explanations, but Harry was already up; he was already backing towards the door, his eyes never leaving Draco's.
And before Draco could mutter another word, Harry had opened the door behind him, stepped out, and left Draco helpless behind him.
* * *
Ginny had just walked into the common room from a stroll around the lake. Once again, she had been by herself on her afternoon off, but it really didn't bother her anymore. In fact, she was beginning to like her own company. But she saw Hermione in the corner, eyes red, and had to go see what was wrong. Hermione was one of the few friends Ginny actually had.
"Hermione?" she asked, carefully venturing over. If she was upset because of a fight with Ron, everyone was smart to stay away. But Hermione looked up, and Ginny noticed she was smiling.
"Hey Ginny," she muttered, and pulled the younger girl into a chair next to her.
"Hey, are you okay? You look like you've been crying." Ginny asked.
"Its Ron," she began.
"Another argument? He's such a dunderhead; he'll smarten up someday. But Hermione, why are you smiling?"
A few more tears spilled down Hermione's cheek. "Because Ginny… I think I'm in love!"
Ginny gasped, then smiled, thinking of her brother. "I hope its Ron."
"Oh yes, of course its Ron!" Hermione laughed. "We had an argument about my studying again this morning, and when I walked out, I couldn't concentrate on anything else. I could only think about Ron and our fight." Hermione sniffed, and giggled. "It just made me realize how much I care about him. I really think I love him, Ginny."
Ginny's smile widened. "Oh Hermione, that's wonderful!"
Hermione laughed again; Ginny had never heard a laugh so full of pure joy before. "I sound like a bumbling idiot; I sound like such a girl! Getting all worked up over a boy. Especially a boy that isn't speaking with me at the moment! I never thought about boys. I always figured my first boyfriend would be, well… my husband. I never even thought much about that part of my future. With two boys as your best friends, you don't think much about girl stuff."
"But having boys as your best friends worked out well, didn't it?" Ginny asked, smiling slyly. Hermione nodded. They sat in silence for a bit until Hermione burst into tears again.
"Hermione! What's wrong?" Ginny asked, shocked.
"I don't know. Nothing. I'm just… happy. And at the same time I'm horrible, because… well, we haven't exactly made up yet, and he's still not talking to me…"
Just then, the portrait hole opened up and Harry tore through the common room, avoiding everyone's eyes. Ginny and Hermione glanced up from their shadowed corner. "What's with him?" Hermione sniffed.
* * *
Harry slammed the dormitory door shut and leaned against it, breathing hard. He brought a hand to his furiously beating heart. It was quite a rush, sprinting from the other side of the castle. Harry looked around and took a deep breath. Empty. Perfect. He began to walk to his bed.
"Harry?" Harry spun around toward the voice, his heart threatening to burst.
"Ron?"
Ron climbed out from between the curtains of his four-poster, wiping his nose. Harry knew Ron well and long enough to know he'd been crying, but decided against bringing it up. Ron was one for pride and dignity, which was probably the reason he was hiding up here.
"What's up Ron?" he asked tentatively. Ron grunted in response and collapsed back on his bed. Harry followed.
"Girls, Harry! Girls! They're useless, the lot of them." Harry settled back against the headboard. When Ron got started on girls, it could take hours. Harry was relieved and welcomes the intrusion on his own thoughts.
"What happened with Hermione?"
"She walked out on me! We were having a discussion-" Harry coughed - "Okay, an argument. We were fighting about her study habits, and she walked out."
Harry frowned. "She thought you'd be over that by now. You know how school is to Hermione, Ron. She's a study-freak. We've all had plenty of time to get over it."
"Well, its not something easy to get over, Harry! I just feel like I should mean more to her than some dusty books."
"Well, sure, but that's not the point. Hermione cares about you, God knows why. Ron, you guys took so long to tell each other how you felt, don't lose it now because you're being a prat."
"I'm being a prat?!"
"Yes. Now go apologize!"
Ron sighed. "I should. I want to. But I can't."
"Why not?"
He smiled sardonically. "She's not talking to me." Harry shook his head.
"Uh, Ron…" Harry gulped. Now or never, he thought. "I want to talk to you about, well… the discussion you had with me and Hermione a while back. About Draco. We haven't really… discussed it yet."
Ron coughed. "First names? If we're going to have this discussion, do we have to use first names?"
"Ron!"
"Okay, okay! His name is Draco, not Ferret-Face."
"Ron," Harry growled.
"I'm kidding! Now talk before I change my mind."
"I just want to make sure you're okay with this."
Ron sat up, stunned. "Okay with it? Okay with it? Of course I'm not okay with it! Harry, its Malfoy! He's still a creep!"
"He's a good person, Ron, you just have to look beyond his exterior."
"You mean he's not slimy on the inside as well? Gee, there's a shocker."
"Ron!"
"Harry, I'm sorry. But it's still Malfoy, no matter how hard you try and convince me otherwise. I mean… its Malfoy!"
"Ron, he's more than just 'Malfoy'. He's Draco. He has a mind of his own, and beautiful opinions, and a sweet nature, he just has an overbearing father. He's got pressure, just like we do, but his influences were all evil growing up, not good. That's why he's so bad on the outside."
"You didn't have the best upbringing either, and you turned out all right."
Harry smiled. "Yeah, well, everyone keeps telling me I'm special. But I've seen inside Draco, Ron. He talks to me, tells me things. I talk to him. He's a really great guy. I just wish you could see that."
Ron sighed. "Oh, Harry… you feel this strongly about him?" Harry nodded. "Then I suppose the only thing I can do is approve, right?"
Harry burst into a grin. "Oh, Ron…" He was speechless.
"Just promise me, Harry. Don't ever make me forget the picture of Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret… Crouch was a lunatic, but he was still a genius…" They shared a laugh.
When their laughter died down, they sat in silence for a few minutes, Ron staring out the window, Harry at his hands. This has never happened before. Sure, Ron talked about girls a lot, about Quidditch a lot, about chess a lot, but they had always talked. Harry had never experienced this awful, awkward silence with his best friend before. Ron must have felt it too, by the way he was fidgeting suddenly.
"So, Harry… you were with him today, I take it?"
Harry almost laughed. "He has a name, Ron."
"Yeah, but I don't like saying it." Harry shook his head.
"Okay, okay… you were with Draco today?"
"There's a good lad." Harry ducked a flying pillow. "Yeah, we hung out today… he's good to talk to, when you're wrapped up with Hermione."
"I still just can't believe you two are… well… I mean, how did you forgive him? For all the awful stuff he's done to us over the years?"
"I don't know. I mean, forgive and forget, right?"
Ron frowned. "You act too lenient with him. I know, I know I said I'm okay, but still. I mean, I'd make him pay, big time, before trying to be friends. He's called Hermione a mudblood how many times? He gave me a bloody nose!"
Harry laughed. "Ron, you hit him first."
"He started it…"
"Listen, I don't really know why we just became friends. We just… did. Hermione talked to me about it, and we figured-"
"Wait, Hermione had something to do with this? I thought she just told you to be more civil to him." Ron raised an eyebrow. "What did she say?"
"Just that maybe there's more to him than meets the eye, and I should give him a chance."
"Where would she get a crazy idea like that?"
Harry shifted nervously. He hadn't actually told Ron anything about Draco. He wasn't even sure he wanted to, but Ron was his best friend. "Well, ah… he confided something in me, and I told Hermione, and we just decided that maybe I should extend the hand of friendship to him. Maybe it'll teach him not to be such a git. And you've got to admit, he's been much easier to be around lately. He hasn't insulted you once…"
Ron held up his hands. "True, true. But what did he tell you? How can you be sure he wasn't lying?"
Harry blushed. "I don't think this is something he'd lie about, Ron."
"What is it? Is he in love with you or something?"
Harry choked back a cough. "What?" he sputtered. "How did you know?"
Ron grinned. "Is he? Wow. Lucky guess. Not that I'm surprised, really… I mean, you pick on the ones you like, right? Like me with Hermione. But still, evil son-of-a-Death-Eater Draco Malfoy in love with the perfect Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter? Unbelievable, really."
"Ron…"
"It's not a bad thing, mind you. Perfectly normal, really. Wizards are so much more tolerant and indulgent than Muggles, they are. But still, Malfoy and Potter… so odd…"
"Ron."
"And then there's you… who's to say you even care? I mean, I don't think I've ever known you to have a crush, other than Cho that is, but still… you're just trying to be friends with him and people can barely get over that. How weird would everyone get if you started dating him?"
"Ron!"
Ron looked up from his rambling. "What?"
"He kissed me." Harry was surprised he had admitted it. He was just meaning to tell Ron that there was nothing between him and Draco, but the incident of earlier just came out. Ron's eyes widened.
"Did he? Hmmm… he's a daring one, he is."
Harry stared at Ron. "Is that all you have to say?"
"Right. Okay, um… When's the wedding?" Ron suggested.
"Ron!"
Ron laughed. "Well Harry, what do you want me to say? Do you want my approval of something you have no control over, and that already happened?"
"No, of course not…" Harry paused. "I want you to tell me what I should do."
"I can't do that Harry, you know that. Its up to you whether you tell Draco to go to hell, to let him down easy, or… well, you know, the other option."
Harry sighed. "How am I supposed to consider it if you can't even say it?"
"Do you want to consider it?" Ron asked, eyebrow raised.
Harry sighed again and stared at the pattern on Ron's pillow. "I don't know…"
To his surprise, Ron clapped his hands together. "Oh, how wonderful! Harry's in love!"
"I am not!" Harry cried.
Ron laughed. "Well, of course not. I was just teasing, because its so fun and now, so easy! But I am going to ask you a question, and I need you to give me the most honest answer you've ever given anyone, okay?" Harry nodded nervously. "What did you feel when he kissed you?"
And so Harry thought. He had figured talking to Ron would distract him from his thoughts; he should have known better. What did he feel? He knew he liked having Draco as a friend. Harry had never thought it possible, but he did. And when they had kissed, Harry was sure he felt something. Did he even want to? Was it real? He knew what Draco felt. Friendship with one's enemy was one thing. Could he, Harry, have feelings for Draco?
Now, our Mr. Potter has never thought of himself as a special person, am I wrong? He never considered himself better than anyone else, despite his history. Yes, Harry was human. Maybe this was why he fell into denial now.
"There's nothing going on." Harry sat up straighter. "Its nothing… nothing."
Ron looked at Harry closely. Harry shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, but Ron smiled. "Oh. Okay, Harry. I believe you." Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Little did Harry know, Ron didn't believe him one bit. Fortunately, Ron did believe that Harry's heart would soon let the rest of him in on what was going on. He sighed as Harry moved to his own bed. He was losing his best friend to his archenemy, and he couldn't do a damn thing about it. And then there was Hermione… he jumped up.
"You know what, Harry?" he asked. Harry jumped as if startled and looked at Ron.
"What?"
"You've inspired me. I'm going to stop being a prat and go apologize." He walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. "I've got to save at least one relationship," he whispered into the shadows, and proceeded down to the common room.
*~*~*
Because I read the Want Ads every day
And the headlines of the papers always say
If you ain't got the do re me, boy
If you ain't got the do re me
You better go back to your beautiful Texas
Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee
Do Re Me original lyrics by Woody Guthrie, my favorite version sung by Ani Difranco
(Yeah, this song bit has nothing to do with the story, its just what I was listening to while writing this chapter)
*~*~*
A few weeks later, Ron had finally calmed down about the whole Malfoy thing. He'd made up with Harry. Hermione too, and they seemed to be getting on perfectly fine. For once.
Ron entered the library quietly, looking around. She had to be in here somewhere. He crouched down a bit more. There, in a far corner in the back of the library, partially hidden behind a towering stack of books, Hermione sat studying. Ron could have laughed out loud. Exams were ages away, teachers hadn't even mentioned OWLs yet, but Hermione still studied diligently. To him, now that he finally accepted the thought, it was adorable.
He crept up behind her soundlessly, determined not to give himself away. Soon Ron was kneeling directly behind her, but he had to hesitate a bit. He never knew she hummed when she studied. Smiling to himself, Ron slipped his arms around Hermione's waist and lightly kissed her cheek. It was almost a shame to disturb her, but as soon as she turned around and he saw her smile, it was worth it.
"Ron!" she exclaimed, laughing. "You frightened me."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it," Ron replied, sitting next to her and closing her book. "You're so tempting."
"Ron, what are you doing?" Hermione asked, trying to sound stern, but still smiling wide. She opened her book back up.
Ron closed it again. "Trying to spend time with my girlfriend."
"But I have to study!"
"Hermione, you're always studying!"
"Ron…" Hermione sighed. He could see what was coming. Best to avoid her wrath at all costs.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you, or interrupt your studying. I'll just go now." Ron opened her book back up and stood, but Hermione grabbed his hand.
"No. Not this time. Sit." He sat, somewhat hesitantly. "Maybe we should talk…"
Ron looked at her. He could tell she was thinking hard about something; she was biting her lip, what she did when studying furiously.
"Ron…"
"Hermione…"
Ron sighed. They wouldn't get anywhere this way. Someone had to talk first, but hell would freeze before he'd break the ice.
Turns out, he didn't need to. "Ron, do you really think this will work?"
"What's 'this', Hermione?"
"This. Us. Together. You know how much I care about you Ron, but really - is this going to work? We're always fighting…"
"Hermione!" Ron could see the pain in her eyes. She was damn near close to tears, and he could tell it was breaking her heart to say these things. "I don't want to hurt you. We can work on whatever may be wrong. We can both change, we'll be okay." He took hold of her hand, and Hermione smiled sadly. "I'll hold my tongue, and you can study less-"
"You just don't get it, do you?!" she exploded, earning a glare from Madam Pince. Ron leaned back in surprise. "I have to study, schoolwork is important to me!"
"Oh, and I'm not?" he responded quietly.
She sighed and slowly withdrew her hand from his. "I never said that."
"Then what are you saying? You know, I think you're the one who doesn't get it. You want me to take a backseat to your obsessive habits, and I refuse." Ron caught himself and paused. "Blimey Hermione, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." He tried to wipe away the tears that were falling freely now, but she skirted around his touch.
"No Ron. I think you did mean it. But guess what? I mean this." Hermione stood up, gathered her books, and walked out without so much as a backward glance.
* * *
Across the castle from Ron and Hermione, Harry and Draco were arguing as well.
"I'm telling you Potter, if it weren't for that stupid Voldemort scare, Bulgaria would've won the Cup!"
"Draco, the Death Eaters attacked after the game. Give it up; Ireland just has the better team!"
The boys had nicked some food from the kitchen and were now on their way back to "the dugout", as Harry fondly named Draco's secret room. This led Harry into an explanation of baseball and an American movie he'd once seen. Now they were arguing over the Quidditch Cup, and gathering blatant stares from students in the halls. Draco laughed at a comment Harry made about Viktor Krum, and a little first year scampered out of the way. Potter and Malfoy, enjoying each other's company, in public?
"Listen Potter, let's call a truce," Draco muttered from behind a stack of food and books. Harry tapped the wall and ushered the other boy into the room. Draco dumped his load on the table.
"Why, Malfoy? Tired of losing?"
"No, Golden Boy - tired of fighting. Let's just face the fact," Draco added, falling down next to Harry on the couch, "that we will never agree on Quidditch."
"Add it to the list!" Harry laughed. He reached over to the table and grabbed two pumpkin pasties. When he turned around to hand one to Draco, he found the other boy staring at him.
"What?"
"Don't you find this the least bit odd?" Draco asked uncertainly.
"What's odd?"
"Potter and Malfoy, sitting on a couch, joking around, enjoying each other's company… as friends."
Harry leaned back into the couch beside Draco and smiled. "I suppose. Do you wish it were different?"
"No," he answered a little too quickly. Harry smiled wider.
"Oh," he said.
"What?" Draco retorted nervously.
"I see. Because of your, well… situation, you're scared I'll decide this won't work out. Or I'll turn this around to tease you. Or worse," he added, realization dawning, "you think I'm doing this out of pity, don't you?"
Draco said nothing. He stared at his pumpkin pasty, but the fact that his face was considerably paler than normal gave his thoughts away.
"You do!"
"Aren't I right?" Draco asked quietly.
"Of course not!"
"Well, can you blame me?" Draco burst, sitting up. "This is so unexpected, and sudden, and completely bizarre! We are complete opposites! All of a sudden my feelings change, but that doesn't mean yours have to. Sooner or later, you'll just-"
"Draco!" Draco stopped and looked at Harry, breathing hard. "Listen to me, Draco. I enjoy this. Yes, its bizarre, and yes, its rather sudden but I can guarantee I would not be here if I didn't want to be." Harry took a deep breath to steady the sudden wave of emotion that had overtaken him. He put a hand on Draco's shoulder to calm the other boy's visible quaking. "As strange as this may be, I am really beginning to value this friendship." He brought a slightly shaking hand up to meet a pale cheek. "Just - just trust me, okay?"
"I have a problem with trust, Potter," Draco muttered, watching Harry's hand out of the corner of his eye.
"Then we'll fix it."
Draco looked straight into Harry's eyes as he reached up and took hold of his hand. He slowly brought it down to rest beside them, and gave it the smallest of squeezes. And then, to Harry's complete bewilderment, Draco leaned forward.
Harry saw him coming as if in slow motion, not registering at all what was happening. He could see Draco's eyes sparkling, sense his presence, feel his hot breath, and yet his mind and body stood still. And then Harry felt skin; soft lips gently, hesitantly brushing against his own, and it all hit him at once with the force of a thousand Bludgers. Awkward movements, fidgeting hands, and weeks worth of unidentified flirting all came crashing to a standstill. After the initial shock, Harry felt something new; complete acceptance. And when he realized he had been kissing Draco back all this time, he jumped back.
"No," he whispered. Draco leaned back as well, flushed. "No… no!" Harry shouted. Draco's eyes widened.
"Harry… oh god, I'm sorry… I didn't think…" Draco kept sputtering explanations, but Harry was already up; he was already backing towards the door, his eyes never leaving Draco's.
And before Draco could mutter another word, Harry had opened the door behind him, stepped out, and left Draco helpless behind him.
* * *
Ginny had just walked into the common room from a stroll around the lake. Once again, she had been by herself on her afternoon off, but it really didn't bother her anymore. In fact, she was beginning to like her own company. But she saw Hermione in the corner, eyes red, and had to go see what was wrong. Hermione was one of the few friends Ginny actually had.
"Hermione?" she asked, carefully venturing over. If she was upset because of a fight with Ron, everyone was smart to stay away. But Hermione looked up, and Ginny noticed she was smiling.
"Hey Ginny," she muttered, and pulled the younger girl into a chair next to her.
"Hey, are you okay? You look like you've been crying." Ginny asked.
"Its Ron," she began.
"Another argument? He's such a dunderhead; he'll smarten up someday. But Hermione, why are you smiling?"
A few more tears spilled down Hermione's cheek. "Because Ginny… I think I'm in love!"
Ginny gasped, then smiled, thinking of her brother. "I hope its Ron."
"Oh yes, of course its Ron!" Hermione laughed. "We had an argument about my studying again this morning, and when I walked out, I couldn't concentrate on anything else. I could only think about Ron and our fight." Hermione sniffed, and giggled. "It just made me realize how much I care about him. I really think I love him, Ginny."
Ginny's smile widened. "Oh Hermione, that's wonderful!"
Hermione laughed again; Ginny had never heard a laugh so full of pure joy before. "I sound like a bumbling idiot; I sound like such a girl! Getting all worked up over a boy. Especially a boy that isn't speaking with me at the moment! I never thought about boys. I always figured my first boyfriend would be, well… my husband. I never even thought much about that part of my future. With two boys as your best friends, you don't think much about girl stuff."
"But having boys as your best friends worked out well, didn't it?" Ginny asked, smiling slyly. Hermione nodded. They sat in silence for a bit until Hermione burst into tears again.
"Hermione! What's wrong?" Ginny asked, shocked.
"I don't know. Nothing. I'm just… happy. And at the same time I'm horrible, because… well, we haven't exactly made up yet, and he's still not talking to me…"
Just then, the portrait hole opened up and Harry tore through the common room, avoiding everyone's eyes. Ginny and Hermione glanced up from their shadowed corner. "What's with him?" Hermione sniffed.
* * *
Harry slammed the dormitory door shut and leaned against it, breathing hard. He brought a hand to his furiously beating heart. It was quite a rush, sprinting from the other side of the castle. Harry looked around and took a deep breath. Empty. Perfect. He began to walk to his bed.
"Harry?" Harry spun around toward the voice, his heart threatening to burst.
"Ron?"
Ron climbed out from between the curtains of his four-poster, wiping his nose. Harry knew Ron well and long enough to know he'd been crying, but decided against bringing it up. Ron was one for pride and dignity, which was probably the reason he was hiding up here.
"What's up Ron?" he asked tentatively. Ron grunted in response and collapsed back on his bed. Harry followed.
"Girls, Harry! Girls! They're useless, the lot of them." Harry settled back against the headboard. When Ron got started on girls, it could take hours. Harry was relieved and welcomes the intrusion on his own thoughts.
"What happened with Hermione?"
"She walked out on me! We were having a discussion-" Harry coughed - "Okay, an argument. We were fighting about her study habits, and she walked out."
Harry frowned. "She thought you'd be over that by now. You know how school is to Hermione, Ron. She's a study-freak. We've all had plenty of time to get over it."
"Well, its not something easy to get over, Harry! I just feel like I should mean more to her than some dusty books."
"Well, sure, but that's not the point. Hermione cares about you, God knows why. Ron, you guys took so long to tell each other how you felt, don't lose it now because you're being a prat."
"I'm being a prat?!"
"Yes. Now go apologize!"
Ron sighed. "I should. I want to. But I can't."
"Why not?"
He smiled sardonically. "She's not talking to me." Harry shook his head.
"Uh, Ron…" Harry gulped. Now or never, he thought. "I want to talk to you about, well… the discussion you had with me and Hermione a while back. About Draco. We haven't really… discussed it yet."
Ron coughed. "First names? If we're going to have this discussion, do we have to use first names?"
"Ron!"
"Okay, okay! His name is Draco, not Ferret-Face."
"Ron," Harry growled.
"I'm kidding! Now talk before I change my mind."
"I just want to make sure you're okay with this."
Ron sat up, stunned. "Okay with it? Okay with it? Of course I'm not okay with it! Harry, its Malfoy! He's still a creep!"
"He's a good person, Ron, you just have to look beyond his exterior."
"You mean he's not slimy on the inside as well? Gee, there's a shocker."
"Ron!"
"Harry, I'm sorry. But it's still Malfoy, no matter how hard you try and convince me otherwise. I mean… its Malfoy!"
"Ron, he's more than just 'Malfoy'. He's Draco. He has a mind of his own, and beautiful opinions, and a sweet nature, he just has an overbearing father. He's got pressure, just like we do, but his influences were all evil growing up, not good. That's why he's so bad on the outside."
"You didn't have the best upbringing either, and you turned out all right."
Harry smiled. "Yeah, well, everyone keeps telling me I'm special. But I've seen inside Draco, Ron. He talks to me, tells me things. I talk to him. He's a really great guy. I just wish you could see that."
Ron sighed. "Oh, Harry… you feel this strongly about him?" Harry nodded. "Then I suppose the only thing I can do is approve, right?"
Harry burst into a grin. "Oh, Ron…" He was speechless.
"Just promise me, Harry. Don't ever make me forget the picture of Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret… Crouch was a lunatic, but he was still a genius…" They shared a laugh.
When their laughter died down, they sat in silence for a few minutes, Ron staring out the window, Harry at his hands. This has never happened before. Sure, Ron talked about girls a lot, about Quidditch a lot, about chess a lot, but they had always talked. Harry had never experienced this awful, awkward silence with his best friend before. Ron must have felt it too, by the way he was fidgeting suddenly.
"So, Harry… you were with him today, I take it?"
Harry almost laughed. "He has a name, Ron."
"Yeah, but I don't like saying it." Harry shook his head.
"Okay, okay… you were with Draco today?"
"There's a good lad." Harry ducked a flying pillow. "Yeah, we hung out today… he's good to talk to, when you're wrapped up with Hermione."
"I still just can't believe you two are… well… I mean, how did you forgive him? For all the awful stuff he's done to us over the years?"
"I don't know. I mean, forgive and forget, right?"
Ron frowned. "You act too lenient with him. I know, I know I said I'm okay, but still. I mean, I'd make him pay, big time, before trying to be friends. He's called Hermione a mudblood how many times? He gave me a bloody nose!"
Harry laughed. "Ron, you hit him first."
"He started it…"
"Listen, I don't really know why we just became friends. We just… did. Hermione talked to me about it, and we figured-"
"Wait, Hermione had something to do with this? I thought she just told you to be more civil to him." Ron raised an eyebrow. "What did she say?"
"Just that maybe there's more to him than meets the eye, and I should give him a chance."
"Where would she get a crazy idea like that?"
Harry shifted nervously. He hadn't actually told Ron anything about Draco. He wasn't even sure he wanted to, but Ron was his best friend. "Well, ah… he confided something in me, and I told Hermione, and we just decided that maybe I should extend the hand of friendship to him. Maybe it'll teach him not to be such a git. And you've got to admit, he's been much easier to be around lately. He hasn't insulted you once…"
Ron held up his hands. "True, true. But what did he tell you? How can you be sure he wasn't lying?"
Harry blushed. "I don't think this is something he'd lie about, Ron."
"What is it? Is he in love with you or something?"
Harry choked back a cough. "What?" he sputtered. "How did you know?"
Ron grinned. "Is he? Wow. Lucky guess. Not that I'm surprised, really… I mean, you pick on the ones you like, right? Like me with Hermione. But still, evil son-of-a-Death-Eater Draco Malfoy in love with the perfect Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter? Unbelievable, really."
"Ron…"
"It's not a bad thing, mind you. Perfectly normal, really. Wizards are so much more tolerant and indulgent than Muggles, they are. But still, Malfoy and Potter… so odd…"
"Ron."
"And then there's you… who's to say you even care? I mean, I don't think I've ever known you to have a crush, other than Cho that is, but still… you're just trying to be friends with him and people can barely get over that. How weird would everyone get if you started dating him?"
"Ron!"
Ron looked up from his rambling. "What?"
"He kissed me." Harry was surprised he had admitted it. He was just meaning to tell Ron that there was nothing between him and Draco, but the incident of earlier just came out. Ron's eyes widened.
"Did he? Hmmm… he's a daring one, he is."
Harry stared at Ron. "Is that all you have to say?"
"Right. Okay, um… When's the wedding?" Ron suggested.
"Ron!"
Ron laughed. "Well Harry, what do you want me to say? Do you want my approval of something you have no control over, and that already happened?"
"No, of course not…" Harry paused. "I want you to tell me what I should do."
"I can't do that Harry, you know that. Its up to you whether you tell Draco to go to hell, to let him down easy, or… well, you know, the other option."
Harry sighed. "How am I supposed to consider it if you can't even say it?"
"Do you want to consider it?" Ron asked, eyebrow raised.
Harry sighed again and stared at the pattern on Ron's pillow. "I don't know…"
To his surprise, Ron clapped his hands together. "Oh, how wonderful! Harry's in love!"
"I am not!" Harry cried.
Ron laughed. "Well, of course not. I was just teasing, because its so fun and now, so easy! But I am going to ask you a question, and I need you to give me the most honest answer you've ever given anyone, okay?" Harry nodded nervously. "What did you feel when he kissed you?"
And so Harry thought. He had figured talking to Ron would distract him from his thoughts; he should have known better. What did he feel? He knew he liked having Draco as a friend. Harry had never thought it possible, but he did. And when they had kissed, Harry was sure he felt something. Did he even want to? Was it real? He knew what Draco felt. Friendship with one's enemy was one thing. Could he, Harry, have feelings for Draco?
Now, our Mr. Potter has never thought of himself as a special person, am I wrong? He never considered himself better than anyone else, despite his history. Yes, Harry was human. Maybe this was why he fell into denial now.
"There's nothing going on." Harry sat up straighter. "Its nothing… nothing."
Ron looked at Harry closely. Harry shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, but Ron smiled. "Oh. Okay, Harry. I believe you." Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Little did Harry know, Ron didn't believe him one bit. Fortunately, Ron did believe that Harry's heart would soon let the rest of him in on what was going on. He sighed as Harry moved to his own bed. He was losing his best friend to his archenemy, and he couldn't do a damn thing about it. And then there was Hermione… he jumped up.
"You know what, Harry?" he asked. Harry jumped as if startled and looked at Ron.
"What?"
"You've inspired me. I'm going to stop being a prat and go apologize." He walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. "I've got to save at least one relationship," he whispered into the shadows, and proceeded down to the common room.
