Something In The Red

Chapter 8: Answers and Worry

And now for your feature presentation

*****

I dragged Hermione into a secluded corner of the common room. Was Hermione crazy? She must be, ruining something that was meant to help her.

"What's such the rush Harry?" Hermione whispered questioning me, while sitting down in the nearest couch.

"You let me talk first," I glared at her. She didn't seem to like it because she squirmed in her seat. "Why the hell were you talking to Dra.. Malfoy?" I looked at her waiting for and answer. Also wondering how I could have slipped up calling Malfoy Draco in less than five minutes.

"Well, I was worried. You have been rude, isolated, and hanging out with Malfoy. I didn't know any reason why you would be around that ferret face." Hermione looked up at me with sad and concerned brown eyes.

"What I do or don't do is completely my business and absolutely none of yours," I raged.

"I was just wor."

"Save it," I sat down on the chair next to Hermione, "Now just get on to what you wanted to tell me."

"Well," Hermione stuttered. "I you and Malfoy have been all buddy buddy and I couldn't figure why. Harry, Ron told me that you stuck up for Malfoy. Is that true?" Hermione asked with worry clearly in her eyes. Harry looked down so he didn't have to look eye-to-eye.

"Malfoy and I have formed an alliance, for a cause that can not be revealed to you yet. Any other petty questions?"

Hermione's grief lifted slow but then dropped down into a sad feeling when she took the last thing I said as an insult. "I just wanted to know. But that makes me wonder. Why would you form an alliance with Malfoy of all people? Why?"

"Because," my anger was dying down, "Malfoy was the only one who could help in this situation. He may be and insufferable git. But he was the only one I would be able to trust right now. At least, that wouldn't tell the wrong people. Or no one would ever believe it. Besides, Draco is not really as bad as he seems. He just strives to get what he wants and will do anything for it at all costs. You would probably like him," I looked up at Hermione's horror stricken face.

"Mione, what is wrong?"

"Harry, do you know what you just said."

"I said that Malfoy isn't that bad."

"No. Well, yes. But that wasn't all you said. You called him Draco. That is why I am worried about you. You have been doing that very often lately. I noticed it, but didn't think that it was much so I just ignored it. But it keeps happening more and more. You are lucky Ron hasn't noticed it. He would have another fit. If you keep it up though even he will." I realized that I had said Draco. I really need to watch what I say or they will figure out what is going on

"It's nothing Hermione," I said getting very aggravated. "I told you already that we have an alliance and agreed to address each other by our first names."

"Why?"

"Why Hermione. Why. Do you really want to know," my frustration and anger was reaching a point of no return. "Well, if I am correct I have the right not to say anything to you about anything."

"Harry, please. I am not trying to force you," Hermione pleaded with me.

"No!" I said standing up. The eyes of the common room turned to Harry in the corner with Hermione

"Harry, don't do anything rash."

"You don't want to me to do anything rash you say! Huh. Well screw you to hell! Don't talk to me!" I screamed. I dashed up to my common room.

On the way up, I sensed that Hermione had ran into the comfort of Ron's arms and started to bawl like a two year old. At least, now they are together. Now I can get away from that pest. He will be thrilled that he won't have to be around Lavendar and Parvati. He will be glad. Everyone will be happy except me. Isn't my life great?

*****

The week had gone one normally except Harry wasn't with us. I don't really mind. Making Hermione cry like that was just horrible. She didn't deserve that she was just trying to make sure that everything was okay.

I think that Mione is still a bit shaken up about that night. Even though she doesn't show it any more.

At least one good thing came out of this. I asked Hermione out the other day and she said yes. We haven't been apart since. The only bad thing is most of the times when we are alone she just wants to do homework. It might take a long time before I can even get a chance to kiss her or be close to her. The closest I have been to her is when Harry betrayed us, the people he let believe where his friends. I don't think Harry will be joining our circle of friends anytime soon. He can go crawl and be friends with Malfoy.

*****

One week before the Halloween Dance and I still don't have anyone to go with. Well at least someone who is decent unlike Pansy. That cow just won't take a hint and leave me alone. The bitch is batty.

I headed into my room. My father demanded to Dumbledore that I had my own room. Dumbledore complied since there where so many extra unused rooms in the dungeons and would only take a few minutes to fix up.

My room was perfect. An emerald green rug that looked like Harry's eye's only better. The walls were painted black and were enchanted to have the stars of constellations and the occasional shooting star fly across, at any hour of the day. On the left side I had a desk with a plush chair. In the middle of the room I had an extremely comfy silver sofa facing my fireplace with a matching armchair on either side facing each other. On the right was my closet and dresser. In the back was my silver and green king sized four- poster bed. So soft you could practically sink into it. All of thing thinks that would have normally been brown were silver. Next to my dresser was the door to my bathroom. It was huge. It had a bath almost as large as the prefects' bathroom. In lamens terms my room was perfect.

When I went into my room I noticed one of my father's owls on bed. This could not bee good. I haven't received a letter from Father since he found out that Harry had stuck up for me. Did I mention that was hell to get out of? I had to tell him that Harry had been highly intoxicated and had no clue what he was talking about.

Dear Draco,

Your birthday has recently just past and I wish you a truly happy birthday. Unfortunately I have bad news to tell you. Actually I do not know if you would even consider this bad news.

When you were young you were not always with us. You were with a different family until you were one. I know you love your mother dearly and you may not want to hear this but. Your mother did not know nor care to learn how to take care of a newborn baby. That is the only reason you were sent away.

You were sent to a very caring family that cared for you like you where their own. In a way you were. The family you were sent to be with was the Potters. They were your real family. Your real mother was Lily Potter.

What had happened was your mother had delivered a baby, but it died within 1 hour of his birth. The Potters being the caring people they were decided that it might compensate for our loss if Lily gave up one of her twins to us immediately after the birth. You see if a baby is given to another family they can be recognized as the receivers' child only. We casted a charm on you to resemble the Malfoy's family look. Though you would be ours, in your heart you would always have a place for your birth family that lives.

Since Lily missed you dearly we agreed to let you live with them until you were one. And that is what happened. We got you back the day after your first birthday. Where you remained until now.

You may have been wondering why you and Harry have separate birthdays if you are twins. We changed your birthday, to be on one of the Malfoy family's lucky days.

As I said before, the charm on you allows you to Harry a special place in you heart for you true family that is alive. Since lily and James were killed Harry is your only true living relative. You must tell Harry that you are related. Harry deserves to know and could be a great help for you in the future.

Also, due to the fact that you and Harry seem to be starting a friendship, your loyalties will certainly change to honor your true family. With you mother's large regret we have to disown you from the family. You shall be allowed to carry the Malfoy name though only so there is an heir to the manor when we die. But do not get confused you are not welcome to the manor until your mother and I are forever gone.

L. Malfoy\

This can't be happening. I don't want to be related to Harry. He is well. Harry. I am just learning to stand him. How am I going to come to face that Harry is my brother. Father will surely pay for not telling me any of this much sooner. But how can he pay if I no longer have a place in his home. My home.

It is not fair. I should not have to be disowned. Harry will pay dearly for getting me into this situation.

I hunched over onto my bed and fell asleep thinking about how different my life would now be. Living on my own. No more frivolous shopping sprees. No more top of the line everything I can get my hands on. I would have to be cautious. With only about one million galleons left for my life or at least before I began to work. Life is going to be hell.

*****

This past month has been unbelievably boring and intolerable. Not Having Ron and Hermione around is horrible. All of Gryffindor won't talk to me because they are either to mad at me or they are too scared. The only person talking to me is Neville occasionally. I am surprised that I am even bringing myself to go the Halloween dance. It is a Masquerade Ball for students in their 5th year and above.

I plan to go as Hercules. I am a bit wary about wearing one of those toga things in front of people. I overheard Ron and Hermione that they were going as Zeus and Aphrodite.

Maybe I can hang out with Draco at the Ball he is the only person even talking to me. Maybe I can ask that Luna Lovegood girl to dance. She seems weird but she is actually very enjoyable to be around. Don't get me wrong she is probably the strangest girl to exist, but that is what makes her so special.

I think I will go ask her now. She is probably in the library beginning to study for her O.W.L.s.

As I headed down to the library from my room, I saw Ron and Hermione. They had without a doubt left dinner very early. Most likely against Ron's will. Ron glared at me and looked as if he was going to attack me. Hermione noticed it then jabbed Ron and the stomach and gave me a hopeful reassuring look. I smiled at her. Ron didn't like that very much so; I thought it would be best if I just walked away, so I did. But I was only about 10 feet away when I heard footsteps getting rapidly closer. Then I felt a hand grab my arm and turn me around.

"What the hell do you think you are doing!" Ron yelled at me anger was clearly in his eyes.

"I was going down to the library." I said acting stupid trying to avoid the confrontation. But I really knew what he was talking about.

"You know what I am talking about. Why are you not talking to us? You aren't even trying to make an effort to try."

"Well, I thought I made it very clear that I didn't want to talk to her. It's not my fault that you felt that you didn't want to talk to me either. Or the whole rest of Gryffindor. I was very surprised when I found that Neville was the only one who didn't want to abandon me." I was loosing my temper again. " Now if you are done I have to go see someone." I tried to push free from Ron, but he wouldn't let me go.

"What would make you want to stop talking to Hermione anyway?" Ron looked from me to Hermione and back again. "What has she done wrong to you? And don't tell me that you are going to go meet with Malfoy, are you?" Ron asked for once acting genuinely concerned.

"Hermione was getting into my business. Nothing that was wrong. Or anything bad. She should know by now that I can take care of myself and I don't need anyone watching over me. And since you have to know I am not going to go see Malfoy. It is someone else. But what would it matter if I were going to see Malfoy. He is one of the few people who didn't stop talking to me while you were so skillfully ignoring me."

"Harry, I am sorry I was getting in your business. But I was just worried. I am always worried about you. You mean so much to me. I didn't want to see you get hurt. And there was no way I could help you out of trouble if I didn't even know what was going on," Hermione finally interjected. She took a few steps towards me. Ron let go of me noticing that Hermione was okay around me. Obviously they had planned on seeing me. Ron probably just didn't want anything to get violent, so that was the reason he had held me against my will.

"Hermione, you should know by now that if something was wrong that I would tell you. I always do," I said moving closer to Hermione. Knowing that what I had just said was true to a certain extent.

"Harry, sorry to tell you but you don't. Yeah sure you tell us lots of stuff. But Hermione and I aren't stupid, we know that you bundle everything up your feelings and your thoughts," Ron stated.

Blimey they caught me. But they will never know.

"I'm sorry Ron. And Hermione, I am extremely sorry about what I said last month to you. I know you didn't deserve what I said to you. But you truly need to learn how to trust me a bit more."

"Okay, Harry it's agreed. I will trust you more. But you have to tell us if there is absolutely anything wrong." Hermione looked at me intently. Ron shook his head in agreement.

I stepped towards Hermione and embraced her in a giant hug. We stepped apart. I noticed that Ron looked upset that he had been left out of everything. Hermione obviously noticed to, because we both said in unison, "Ron get over here." Ron's face lit up as he came over and joined a group hug. We parted I realized the time and worried about whether I could do what I had originally set out to do.

"Um. Ron. Hermione. Not to sound rude, but before we made up I was planning on doing something. And I would really like to get it done with today."

"No problem, Harry," Ron said cheery. "See you later."

We finally parted. I heard Ron and Hermione mumbling about something on their way back to Gryffindor Tower.

*****

When I got to the library, luckily Luna was still there. I walked up to her and sat down in the chair next to her. She looked great she had cut her dirty blonde hair to just beyond her shoulders. It made her hair look much fuller. I am glad she is not as crazy as she used to be. I think she toned down quite a bit since last year. She is still a bit odd but now you can really see why she had been placed into Ravenclaw in the first place.

"Hello Luna," I said calmly. She looked up a little startled. She probably had been studying all day.

"Oh. Hi Harry," She said happily and closing the book she had been reading. "I was just about to leave for dinner." She must be really out of it I thought to myself. Dinner has been of for almost twenty minutes already.

"Sorry, to tell you Luna," I looked at he apologetically. "But dinner is already over. But you could probably get one of the house elves to get you a snack from the kitchen."

"Oh. Well I better do that then. Would you like to come with me," she said getting up and heading for the door.

"Sure," I said following her.

We walked in silence. Then I decided I should just get to the point.

"Luna, would you like to go to the Masquerade Ball with me?"

"Oh. Harry. I would love to," Luna said and looked at him gratefully.

"Great. Well I have to go. We could meet up sometime this week to talk about our costumes," I said excitedly.

"That would be wonderful. What about tomorrow? I really need a study break."

"Okay, see you then."

Today has been wonderful. I have my friends back and they are together. I have to tell Draco. He will be so happy that he won't have to hang around me any more. I ran the rest of the way back the Gryffindor Tower.

*****

please R&R