Disclaimer: Do I own them? *twitch* Do I *look* like a millionaire to you? NO!

A/N: So there is no confusion…the majority of this chapter is a series of flashbacks. And again, mad props to Jasmine for finding the time to beta this fic and reassure me that I am not alone in my H/D obsession. *grin*

Chapter 7B…………Draco Malfoy the servant.

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Harry looked over at the head of blonde hair next to him. The owner of said hair, being Draco Malfoy, looked so peaceful when he was sleeping. He lost his attitude, and not a smirk could be found on his face which was buried in the crook of Harry's neck. Harry kissed the top of his head and sighed. It had been all in all…a nice month despite a few…misunderstandings.

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*FLASHBACK*

Halfway up the stairs, Harry found he could no longer contain his excitement and claimed his host with a searing kiss, his hands on either side of Draco's face…forcing him to relent. Not that Draco needed forcing. Never breaking the contact, the two managed to clumsily get the rest of the way up the stairs, tripping several times, but falling over only once. An observer (had one been present) might note the grace both boys seemed to posses being able to get up off the floor, never once relinquishing the other's tongue to the cool air. Finally at the top of the stairs, Draco drew his lips away from Harry reluctantly, drawing out the Gryffindor's bottom lip with his teeth as he withdrew. Harry whimpered slightly, and backed Draco up against the closest wall. The blonde had to take a quick moment to catch his breath before speaking. The two faces still only a few inches apart, Harry could feel the quickened breath on his cheeks, and it tingled down to the back of his knees.

Draco kneaded his hands in Harry's hair and finally managed to breathe out "Bath or shower?"

Harry, who'd been observing the pulse point on Draco's neck from, what he considered, much too far a distance, lowered his head to nip at the spot. Draco leaned his head back as much as possible, as he was against a wall, and ended up lolling his head to the side to give his companion better access…whether this was intentional, or reflex, Harry didn't care. He glanced up briefly at the flour falling from the tilted blonde head…a smile coming to his lips at the tousled hair that normally looked so pristine. He managed to speak in between laying kisses on the neck offered before him.

"Don't…*kiss*….care….*kiss*…whatever's…*kiss*….closest…*kiss*…"

Draco reached behind him and slightly to the left feeling the wall behind him for a door. He was fairly certain this was a bathroom…there were so many rooms in the house, one hardly could keep track, let alone know about *every* bathroom. He fumbled for the doorknob, neck still leant back, Harry's face still quite busy there. Finally reaching his goal, he pulled Harry slightly left and the pull sent Harry's weight into Draco right at the same time Draco managed to get the door open. The result being two very excited powdery boys tumbling to the floor of a random guest room. Both of them looked up at their surroundings. Harry, thinking of how one of the many spare rooms in this house was nicer than any room he'd ever had. Then focusing on the bed in the center, he shifted back to Draco, then to the bed, then to Draco.

'So it's not a shower…big deal.' Harry thought.

He grabbed Draco by the front of his shirt and yanked him forward, picking up where they had left off. He managed to scoot backwards within the kiss, dragging Draco with him towards the bed. Finally at his destination, Harry ran his hands up the side of the bed feeling for something to grip and pull his weight up. This seemed to bring Draco back to reality and he pulled quickly out of the kiss.

"Harry, No!"

Harry looked around, confused, then settled on Draco expecting the Slytherin to have cold feet once again.

"What? Is something wrong?"

Draco blinked. "No...it's just we're covered in flour…we'll get it all over the place in here."

Harry let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding. "Is that all? You worried me…I thought it was something important."

Draco's eyes grew wide. "It *is* important…I can see it now…what I'll tell my father when he asks why the antique duvet is ruined… 'Oh, Father…terribly sorry about all that…I was just rutting Harry Potter!'"

Harry scowled; he did *not* want to think of Lucius Malfoy at a time like this.

 "Fine then." Harry dove for Draco, knocking him on his back and pinning him underneath him for the second time that day. After Draco let out a squeak of surprise at the attack, Harry let out a rather husky "Where were we?" and resumed his assault on Draco's neck and collar bone, just peeking out from the top of his shirt.

Draco's hands, which had reflexively imbedded themselves in Harry's hair, loosened their grip and moved down the tanned neck and across quidditch toned shoulders with a slight nervous shake. Despite his nervous trembling, Draco's hands remained every bit as graceful as when they scrawled a potions essay…long, cool fingers gliding effortlessly across parchment, almost as if choreographed, with the same free poise of a butterfly's dance. Harry was of the opinion that the grace in those fingers was inborn, something that no amount of training nor money could create. Every part of Draco carried that grace within…the elegance that made Harry want not to posses him, but simply be *near* him constantly…drinking it in.

Those hands…those very same hands, with nails that raked over skin and left fire in their wake, moved down Harry's back slowly…achingly…and to the hem of his shirt. Fingers found their way to skin and Harry fought off a giggle at the slightly ticklish feeling. The fingers made their way to the front of Harry's shirt, to the buttons. For all their grace and elegance, the fingers became slightly inept when it came to undoing the buttons. Rather than believe he was fumbling, Draco deduced that the source of the problem must be his inability to actually see the buttons due to Harry's attentions to his neck. Placing his hands on the chest pressed next to his, he pushed gently, causing Harry to sit up, before those same hands immediately sought out their previous task. After two more unsuccessful attempts and a chuckle from Harry, Draco began to lose his patience.

"Oh for fucks sake!" And gripping either side of the shirt Draco yanked furiously, sending buttons popping off in all directions.

Harry looked stunned for a moment, surprised at Draco's unexpected method of shirt removal, but quickly regained his composure, and realized just how much of a turn on a forceful Draco could be. Harry sat upright, looking down on Draco who looked back up at him expectantly. When Harry didn't move, Draco tightened his grip on the sides of the shirt, using them to yank Harry back down to him. Harry was more than happy to oblige.

As lips and teeth and tongue met with fervor, Draco slid his hands into Harry's shirt, sliding it off his shoulders…much like he had the first night they spent together. Harry lifted his hands to allow the white material to fall from his wrists. Once free from his upper garment, Harry dipped his head to the pale stomach of his lover, lifting the dark grey fabric of his shirt with his fingers, running calloused hands along chiseled abs as he did so.

The slight roughness of Harry's hands against his stomach caused Draco to gasp and arch his back, giving Harry the opportunity to run his hands along the writhing boy's sides and around to the small of his back. As more skin revealed itself, Harry leaned his head forward to place light, feathery kisses along the alabaster torso…fingers working the shirt ever upward. Once the kisses reached the chest beneath him, rising and falling dramatically with gasps and shaky breaths, Draco raised his arms over his head to allow Harry to sweep the offending article of clothing completely off before embracing his lover.

They were still for a long moment, just enjoying the skin to skin contact…as they always did. When their lips met again, Draco managed to breathe out against Harry's mouth.

"Shower?" As he nodded his head in the direction of the bedroom's private bathroom.

Harry surveyed the distance of roughly two to three meters. Deciding the journey was, indeed, too far, Harry simply shook his head, the scant remnants of flour falling around him. He placed more kisses and nips at Draco's throat and jaw as his hands sought out the button acting as the last barrier between the two. Soon enough, practiced fingers found their goal and the clasp was no match for Harry Potter whose unbuttoning skills were far greater than his lover's. Rough fingers, with chewed fingernails, that smelled and tasted faintly of dirt and vanilla snaked to the taut skin below a pale belly button. Draco shuddered noticeably, shaking and making soft mewling noises with his forehead pressed against Harry's shoulder.  Harry bent his head to the shell of an ear, whispering to make sure "Are you okay?"

Draco, at a loss for words, nodded his head in the affirmative.

Harry was about to move his hand lower still when a strangled plea rung out from the swollen lips of his lover.

"Unngh…stop."

Harry did just that. He froze. Not because it was requested of him, but because he simply could not believe Draco would want to back out now.

'Please please please please…s'too much…I don't want to have to bludgeon him and have my wicked way to keep me from going insane.'

Draco felt Harry tense, and moved his hands to cup the Gryffindor's cheeks, turning the emerald gaze towards him and staring intently into the green orbs before speaking.

"It's okay…I just…." He flushed slightly. "I just want to see you."

Harry let out a small laugh of relief and brought their foreheads together.

"Okay"

He stood, taking a step back, as to allow Draco viewing room. Catching a reassuring smile from the gorgeous face below him, Harry proceeded to unfasten the buttons on his trousers, then pushing both pants and underwear down in one smooth movement. He sat back down on the floor beside Draco, pulling the material from his ankles.

Draco snaked an arm around Harry's neck and gently brought them both back to lie on the floor, only this time, they would lie on their sides, facing one another. While fingers skimmed over newly exposed flesh, tracing it, claiming it, Draco gazed appreciatively at Harry before saying softly "Every part of you is beautiful."

Harry closed his eyes for a long, slow moment, taking it all in. "Every part is yours."

It didn't take long, that first time. They knew it wouldn't, once the last of Draco's clothing had been removed. They had waited so long, and the complete skin on skin contact and friction proved too much. They had simply gripped each other fiercely; Harry's hands around Draco's waist and Draco's hands clutching Harry's shoulders, embracing so tightly that even light would not fit between them, enjoying the friction.

When it was over the two laid there, silent and still clasping onto one another, for what seemed like an eternity…both of them bewildered at the new sensations. Both were thinking absently about previous experiences with other people and how horribly inadequate they were in retrospect when compared to what they'd just experienced. Draco thought of his few experiences with Pansy…it was expected of him after all…and how for the longest time, he'd thought sex was 'just okay'. Harry thought of how much emotion truly does morph physical pleasure…concluding that it is not, indeed, speculation that making love is preferable to just 'sex', but fact. This was a small step forward, but a wonderful one none the less. Both of them looked forward to continuing their explorations in time. Both lost in their reveries, eventually slipped off to sleep, taking in a nap before dinner.

*END FLASHBACK*

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Harry smiled at the memory. They'd had several similar encounters since that weekend at the Manor. He had hated returning to Hogwarts, ironically, as the school was the only place he had ever considered home. He found the domesticity he shared with Draco to be extremely enjoyable though, and did not want to leave it. Absently running his fingers through the platinum hair beside him, Harry thought over the rest of the month that had passed since that weekend.

It was now common knowledge at Hogwarts that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were actually *gasp* friendly to each other when they crossed paths. Draco really had put in an effort to show Harry he was not ashamed of him, even if he had absolutely no desire to divulge the true nature of their relationship to any living soul. Harry had been satisfied with that…for now.

He frowned a bit when he recalled some of their conversations throughout the month though. Conversations that had confused him, and made him anxious…

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*FLASHBACK*

After a particularly pleasing friction fest one evening, Harry and Draco lay spent and sated on Harry's bed…the both of them on their backs, staring up at the ceiling.

"Draco?"

"Yes?"

"Do you ever think about the future?"

"Sure…doesn't everyone?"

"I suppose." A pause. "So…what do you think…when you think about the future?"

Draco hesitated a moment before answering. "My name…making it clean again…making sure it stays clean after I am gone."

Harry considered this answer. Draco was the only heir of the Malfoy fortune. If he wanted the name to maintain its meaning after him…that must mean he intends to have children.

"So you want an heir then?"

"Of course." Draco chuckled a bit. "A Malfoy without an heir? I'd be ending a multi-century lineage. *That's* how I want to go down on my family tree…as the one who chopped it down."

Harry laughed a bit at Draco's humor, but inside his stomach was flip flopping in confusion. Did Draco intend to leave him? Harry knew that he, unfortunately, did not possess ovaries, or a uterus and therefore, logically, could not produce Draco an heir. Did Draco intend to continue this affair even after he'd married and had his child?

Harry finally calmed himself enough to sound nonchalant and continue the conversation. Maybe this way he would get some answers.

"So who is supposed to give you this heir?"

"Pansy I presume, at least that's what I've been told most of my life…but it's not of great consequence…more business than anything…"

Harry was shocked with how casually Draco had given his answer. He *presumed*? Did Draco have *no* say in this? How could he lie down so easily and be told how to live his life? Who to live his life with? Who would bear his children? Harry was angry at Draco's father for instilling such blind obedience in his son, and disappointed with Draco at the same time, for not having the courage to think for himself. He could understand not wanting to tell everyone about his sexual preference…but letting someone else run every aspect of your life? Harry saw it as utter nonsense. His voice took on a slightly harder edge.

"How could you do that, Draco?"

"Do what?"

"Marry someone you don't love…you don't even like women!"

"You wouldn't understand Harry."

"Oh? Try me."

"It's just the way things are…my name means a lot of things…fag isn't one of them."

Harry's mouth dropped open at Draco's rather blunt statement. He could feel himself growing angrier.

"Is coward one of them?"

He had Draco's alert attention now.

"Excuse me?" The blonde all but hissed.

"You heard me."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't." And Draco turned away from him.

Harry grabbed Draco's arm and turned him back around, forcing him to look at him.

"You're going to pretend? That's all you ever do, Draco…don't you ever get tired of living an enormous lie?"

Draco scoffed. "You're one to talk, as I recall…you've been keeping me company here in the closet."

Harry jabbed a finger at the smart mouthed Slytherin, furious. "*I* am not ashamed of what I am. You're right about the closet…but it's *not* because I'm scared…and you bloody well know it! I'm the god damned Boy Who Lived and coming out to *my* friends means coming out the entire fucking wizarding world! I may omit this…" He gestured back and forth between the two of them "but I don't pretend to be something I'm not!"

Draco began to push right back at Harry, forcing him to back up. "And *I'm* the one who lets other people run my life? At least I accept my traditions…the traditions of my *family*…you let hordes of faceless, nameless people run your life…and to this day you can't accept  that they will never let you go. You are always going to be the Great Harry Potter to them! Make something of your name or Get. The. Fuck. Over. It.!"

Harry was flushed with anger now, his brilliant green eyes flashing dangerously. "Family traditions?! I'm sorry to inform you Draco, but I'd rather not know what kind of 'family traditions' the Malfoy's could possibly come up with. It's just a continuous cycle of control and self-denial. Some family!"

Draco clenched his fists at his sides. He had grown up a spoiled child. He had never wanted for anything and had possessions at 5 years old that most grown adults can only dream of. He was doted on and fussed over, always receiving anything he should ask for. Of all the things Draco possessed…he valued none such as he valued his name. His voice was calm and dangerously low and controlled. He looked Harry directly in the eye, his own grey eyes resembling cold steel.

"How would you know about family? You haven't got one."

The slap was instantaneous. Harry didn't even recognize Draco at that point…he saw only the fury aroused by his comments. After his hand had so harshly graced Draco's cheek, both of them fell silent. Draco kept his head turned the way it had ended up when Harry slapped him, a few stray silent tears running down his pale cheek that he would never admit to. After a long silence, Draco bent down to collect his pants and put them on. He couldn't go back to the dungeons yet…they had a very strict schedule and there were only certain times where it was highly unlikely that he would be seen leaving Harry's room. As mad as he was…it was not mad enough to leave and be subjected to prying eyes. He remained shirtless, and took a seat at the opposite corner of the room, distancing himself from Harry and saying nothing. Harry sat down on the edge of his bed after also pulling on his pants. They sat like that for an hour before Harry spoke finally.

"I'm sorry I slapped you."

"I deserved it."

"What?"

"What I said about your family…I only said it because I knew it would hurt you."

Harry was somewhat shocked at how malicious Draco could be, and even worse…how good he was at it.

'Such darkness in such beauty.' Harry thought sadly.

"What am I to you?" Harry asked, nervously. This was new territory, as they had both avoided giving whatever it was they were doing a label…but now it was time…and Harry had to know.

Draco kept his voice low and his gaze unfocused somewhere to the left of Harry's face. "What do you mean?"

Harry moved so that he was in front of Draco's stare, forcing the blonde to look at him. He had worked too hard to get behind the walls put up by the complex Slytherin to allow Draco to just slap them back up and shut him out completely. He would too…and Harry knew it. Draco was nothing if not a master of feigned indifference.

"I mean what am I to you? What do you think I mean? You tell me you love me…you tell me you don't want to be with anyone else…but you say so casually that you are prepared to leave me and marry someone you don't love…and for what? Some legacy? Am I supposed to just accept that? Or were you lying when you said those things?"

Draco refocused his eyes, but still kept his voice nonchalant, as if he were talking about the weather. "No, I didn't lie Harry…I don't want to be with anyone else…but we don't always get everything we want…even me…"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I was just noticing the irony. Everyone thinks I always get everything I want…and I usually do…karma I suppose…" Draco let out a small amused laugh.

"Karma? What is wrong with you? You say all of that like you can't have me but…" Harry took Draco's hand and placed it over his chest where his heart lie underneath "you already have me."

Draco couldn't look at him, so he shifted his stare to the floor and removed his hand from Harry's chest.  "It's about choices Harry…I don't get very many of them you know…I have to be very careful with the few I am allowed. Don't ask me to choose between you and my name…you can't win."

The furious Gryffindor squeezed his eyes shut to avoid the tears that threatened to spill over. He finally managed to speak, although he had to keep his eyes closed. "What makes you so sure you can't have both, Draco?"

"It doesn't work that way…it's just a fact…there are certain things that accompany my title and they cannot be changed. Two of them are a wife and an heir Harry…its just the way things are…"

Harry's eyes snapped open again. "For someone with so much supposed pride, you are so terrified of yourself…and you end up as a servant, and you *know* it."

Draco had no answer to this. Harry continued.

"Can't you at least *think* about living your own life…not for me…but for *you*? Graduation is coming up…surely you aren't expected to be married and having a child before then…can't you give it time, and just think about it?"

"If I relent will you stop badgering me?"

"For now."

"Fine then."

The answer may have been apathetic, but Harry knew that somewhere he had gotten through…he had to…otherwise…

*END FLASHBACK*

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And here they lie, weeks later, with but a few weeks until graduation. Harry shut his eyes and prayed to Merlin that Draco would make the right choice, not for just his own selfish reasons…of course he didn't want Draco to leave him…but he wanted him to have a real life…a happy one…one he *chose*.

Deciding that if he dwelled on the subject further, he would go insane, Harry tried to think of something else. Besides, his dragon was currently nestled beside him, sleeping peacefully…and for now that was all that mattered. He thought of Ron, and how attentive he had been lately. The normally rambunctious red head had been somewhat sensitive over the last month, mentioning more than once to Harry how important their friendship was to him. He wondered if maybe he knew anything, or if it was just a side effect of his relationship with Hermione. His thoughts ground to a halt.

'Hermione…she wouldn't have told him anything would she?...no…I can trust her…I'm sure of that…'

Still…Ron had been so understanding lately…maybe it was time to tell him. He looked over at Draco, the notion of telling Ron would certainly infuriate the Slytherin, even if he left him out of it completely. But Ron was his best friend…and it was time he knew the truth. Ron could handle it…yes…he would tell him soon.

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Ron stepped into Harry's room a bit nervously. He had a feeling he knew what Harry wanted to talk about.

"Oi, Harry, you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah Ron…sit down would you?"

"Um…sure." Ron's mind was working overtime to figure out his fake surprised reaction he was going to need soon.  "So…what did you want to talk about?"

'Well…better cut to the chase before I loose my nerve' Harry took a deep breath.

"Well…you know how I've never had a girlfriend?"

"You have Ginny." Ron couldn't help getting in the small jab for his little sister whose love would never be requited.

"Er….yes….about that…see...we have an….understanding of sorts…"

"Understanding?"

"Yes…she's my cover I guess you could say…"

"Cover? Cover for what?" Ron pretended to be confused.

"Ron, I'm gay." Harry looked at his friend not knowing whether to expect him to yell or faint.

"Oi…are you sure?"

Harry chuckled. "Quite sure, Ron."

"How long have you been….you know….dodgy?"

Harry blinked, a little surprised. "Dodgy? Well…a few years I suppose…but I've been quite certain for over a year now."

Ron pretended to consider this a moment. "Well, mate, if you've been…you know…for that long…you've still been my best friend through all that…so I don't really see how anything is different."

Harry was, to say the least, surprised at his friend's reaction. He had expected Hermione to understand…but Ron…this was certainly a better outcome than he had imagined.

"So you're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad about something like that? It's your life Harry…you're not asking *me* out…so I don't see where I have any room to be mad. I do wish you'd trusted me enough to tell me sooner though."

"It's hard, Ron…being the bloody Boy Who Lived And Loved Boys…I'm sorry…if I'd known you'd be so understanding about it all…I would have told you sooner."

"That's okay…so I take it you have a….friend?"

Harry rolled his eyes. Ron may be a lot more understanding than he thought, but he was still clearly uncomfortable actually admitting aloud that his best friend was in fact gay.

"I have lots of friends Ron…are you asking if I have a lover?"

Ron flushed a bit at Harry's bluntness and nodded silently.

"Yes, I do."

"So you guys have…." Ron trailed off growing even redder.

Harry's eyes grew wide. "No! I mean…not yet anyways…." He got a flush of his own.

"I don't suppose you'd divulge who this mystery man is then?"

"Not a chance…sorry Ron. I've told you my secrets…but that one isn't just mine."

"I see…well…I'm sure Hermione will be happy to hear you told me what you did anyways…is that all you wanted to talk about?"

Harry nodded and Ron got up to leave, as he'd promised Hermione they would study in the library for the umpteenth time that week. Ron made it about half way to the door before Harry called his name.

"Ron?"

He turned around and was a bit thrown off by the scowl on Harry's face that hadn't been there a scant few seconds ago.

"Yeah Harry?"

"I didn't say anything about Hermione…I didn't tell you she knew…she told you didn't she?"

'Bugger…now I'm in trouble' Ron thought nervously.

"No…of course not Harry…I just assumed that if you were ready to tell me…then you'd tell Hermione too and I just guessed you would tell her before you told me…"

"That's bullshit."

"C'mon Harry…she didn't mean to…and she didn't really tell me anyways, I figured it out and she just didn't lie to me when I asked her."

"Of course…." Harry was laughing quietly to himself. This threw Ron off a bit.

"Of course what, Harry?"

"She told you and you got to work off your anger then, before she convinced you to not to be mad about it…that's why you were acting so understanding just now…I get it now…"

"That's not true Harry…yeah I was a bit shocked, but I *do* understand…do you not trust me at all?"

"Why should I? It's not like you told me the truth just now." Harry's comments were unusually cold.

Ron was livid. "*I* didn't tell *you* the truth? Who's the one harboring all these secrets that you seem to tell everyone *but* me.?"

"That's not true…it's only Hermione."

"And what of Ginny…doesn't she know?"

"Yes…she had to…but it's none of your business anyways, I don't *have* to tell any of you anything Ron…it's like you said…it's *my* life…"

"But we're your *friends* Harry! Or have you gotten so wrapped up in whoever it is that you happen to be shagging that you've forgotten that?"

Harry matched Ron's raised voice. "Oh that's bullocks! You and Hermione have been attached at the hip…you haven't needed me around anyways…and didn't you actually say you were *glad* I had backed off a bit because it gave you a chance to tell her how you felt?"

Harry didn't give Ron time to answer before he continued yelling. "And we are NOT shagging!…it isn't just that either! I've been thinking about my name lately…it means something to a lot of people even if it doesn't to me…I've been trying to figure out what to do after graduation.  I may not want to be the Great Harry Potter… but I *am* and that brings certain responsibilities with it! I can't just fall back with some menial job at the ministry because half my family works there!"

Ron couldn't believe Harry's obvious insult to him and his limited options after school. His face grew a shade of red to rival his hair, only now he was not flustered with embarrassment, but anger.

"What's happened to you Harry? Whoever it is that's been shagging you must be doing it well to warp you like this. Do you not give a damn about your friends anymore? I came here to try and let you know that I'd be here for you no matter what but you are being a complete arse!"

Harry was still incensed. He was angry at Hermione for betraying his trust, angry at Ron for hiding that he already knew. But more than angry…he felt foolish. He could not believe that apparently he was so easy to figure out…people knew his secrets and he hadn't even known about it. God…there were so many secrets…he was beginning to feel sick.

"I suppose Hermione's told you about him then? Well it doesn't matter…I swear to Merlin Ron, if you breathe a word about this, I *will* make you regret it. Sod you both! You and Hermione! AND WE ARE NOT SHAGGING!"

Ron turned on his heel to leave…he had to or else he and his best friend were obviously going to come to blows. He went to the exit and turned his head back to face Harry one last time before leaving.

"We miss Harry…not the Great Harry Potter…if you see him, tell him his friends miss him…" and he turned to go…but not before looking over at the desk beside the exit. There on the desk were those photographs…the same ones Ron had discussed with Harry some time ago. They were splayed out across the top of the desk and he let his eyes roam over them once more, even though he wasn't sure why he was doing it. Slytherins…Malfoy….Zabini….Malfoy…Bullstrode….Malfoy…Malfoy….Malfoy…Malfoy

Ron was snapped from his thoughts by Harry's cutting voice.

"Go"

And he left.

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Ron stormed into the library, still shaking with anger at his encounter with Harry. He let his eyes scan the area until he spotted his girlfriend with her nose in a book as per usual. He walked over to where she sat.

When Hermione looked up from her book, she saw Ron's troubled face and flushed complexion. She knew something wasn't right; still, she smiled at him.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Who is it?"

"Ron? Who is what?"

"Who's the bastard that's turned Harry into one?"

Hermione gasped. "Oh Ron…did it go badly? I'm sorry…I'll try to talk to him…"

Ron looked pointedly at her. "I wouldn't advise that right now…he's just as mad with you."

She drew back a bit. "Me? Why?"

"I let it slip that you'd be happy he told me…he hadn't mentioned you knew…he put two and two together and concluded that you told me."

"Ron! We talked about that! You were supposed to be careful! Besides…I didn't tell you…I just didn't lie about it…did he expect me to lie for him?!"

Ron rested his hand on the back of a chair. "I would suppose so. Anyways…we had a row…he was being a bloody arse!"

"What…what did he say?"

"He went on about how he had more *important* things to do than trust and confide in his friends and how it was none of our business anyways…that he didn't owe us anything…"

"Oh Merlin…I'm so sorry Ron." Hermione was greatly shocked. This wasn't at all how she had imagined this would go.

Ron gripped the back of the chair until his knuckles turned white. "Who is it?" he asked again.

"Ron…I…I can't…."

The wood cracked under the pressure of the angry red-head's hand. "I *know* you know…Harry already thinks you've told me"

"Harry trusted me…I can't…he'll hate me even more….it's just not my place…"

He kept his gaze on the floor, his red fringe shadowing his eyes.

"I already know its Malfoy…why don't you just *say* it?"

Hermione gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. After a moment she was able to speak again. "Ron, I'm sorry…I thought Harry would be happy…I thought he'd be good for him…"

Ron merely nodded, the confirmation he sought given to him. He released the chair and headed towards the exit to the library.

Hermione called after him.

"Ron! Where are you going?"

He didn't even slow down as he answered her.

"The dungeons."

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TBC

A/N *ducks MAJORLY sharp objects* PLEASE PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I *love* the suspense…I can't help it…and now you'll all just *have* to read the next chapter, ne?

*evil grin* Nah…I already have all the chapter summaries written out and this is just where this chapter ends. I have so much to write and certain info needs to be grouped together…plus I just like torturing you.

Please review.

Love and Kisses, my beauteous readers!

Reika