Truth

"I can't tell you much," began Tabby, it was true, most things had to be done without people realising it.

"OK, well tell me what you can."

"Well one of the things I am supposed to do is, well, bring people together, but it seems I'm doing the opposite. I can't even get on with the members of my own house," she sighed sadly.

"So what you mean is, you have to get inter-house co-operation."

"Basically yeah, but it's just not working."

"What makes you think that?"

"Well.it's just not is it? I have succeeded in nothing since I have been here, nothing except alienating myself from the rest of my own house."

"I don't think that's true."

"What do you mean?"

"Well you said you had to get the houses to work together, I'm assuming the only ones that have the problem are Gryffindor and Slytherin."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well am I or am I not a Slytherin, and are you or are you not a Gryffindor?" He looked at her knowing he had made his point. He saw the hurt in her face; he could almost feel the negative energy flowing from her pores. He wanted to take her hurt away, how could he though? He was just a stupid callous Slytherin, what could he do to make her feel better? Nothing, he was just useless.

"No you're not," she said puncturing his thoughts.

"Pardon?"

"You're not useless Draco.you just have to learn how to listen to your heart."

"Wait a second, did you just read my mind?"

Tabby grinned, "Sorry Draco, it was written all over your face."

"Are you listening to yours Tabby?"

"It's not about me listening to my heart, it's about me doing what I'm supposed to," there was a distinct bitterness to her voice.

"Will you succeed?"

"Yes, eventually."

"So then for one night would it hurt to do what you want?"

"Yes Draco it would, because if I did what I want, what I really want, then it would have an adverse affect on the plan."

Draco couldn't read minds, but he was getting quite good at reading peoples emotions, granted most of the time he used that talent to exploit people. As he looked at Tabby that night he saw for the first time a mutual bond between them. What he didn't understand though, was why her following her heart would be the wrong thing to do.

"I better get going," said Tabby, she thought it would be better to avoid the situation getting any worse. She got up, but Draco caught her arm. He pulled her towards him and locked her in a kiss. She couldn't resist it, as much as she wanted to. When she pulled away she began to panic, wasn't this exactly what she had just been talking about?

"Draco," she said softly, hating herself for what she was about to say, "Draco, there cannot ever be anything between us." Draco looked hurt, truly hurt. "I'm sorry, but until you and Harry call a truce I can't even associate myself with you." She walked away, a solitary tear running down her cheek. This being noble and doing the right thing, was really not all it was cracked up to be.

Draco was dumbfounded, he had never felt this way about anyone, and he had never been turned down. He knew she was only doing what she thought was right, but it was just so wrong. A resolution came into his mind. She had said that she couldn't be with him until Harry and him sorted out their differences. Well that is what she was here to do wasn't it? He would just help her along the way.

Tabby couldn't believe Draco was affecting her so badly. She was on the way back to the Gryffindor common room when she was stopped and scared out of her mind by Harry's head materialising out of thin air.

"Tabby, there you are! I have been looking all over for you, where have you been?"

"Oh Harry, hi."

"Where have you been? It's after midnight. I was worried."

"I'm fine Harry, I just wanted to be alone."

"Come on Tabby, I know we haven't spoken for weeks but you can tell me, what is up?"

"Nothing!" said Tabby a little sharply, "we better get back to the common room before we get caught."

They made their way back to the common room in silence. Harry kept glancing over at Tabby; he knew there was something wrong with her. They were almost at the portrait of the fat lady when Harry turned round, and dragging Tabby with him went back in the other direction. He hadn't intended on putting his plan into action until the morning, but what was the harm in opening the communication lines a little early, if he got a chance to talk to Tabby alone then maybe he would be more help.

"Harry what are you doing?"

"Shhh, just follow me, better put this on." He threw his invisibility clock over the both of them. He didn't stop until he reached the door he was looking for; he walked past it three times and then entered. Tabby had been expecting another empty classroom, but a warm fire greeted her, with two chairs beside it.

"Welcome to the Room of Requirement," smiled Harry, "now it's time we sorted a few things out, I'm not letting you leave until we have."

"I don't know what you mean, there's nothing to sort out."

"Tabby I know you have been avoiding us recently but it's just getting ridiculous. I saw you walk in the library today and then turn around and walk straight out because Hermione was there. You're never in the common room. It's time to sort it out."

"Harry I told you before, it's not me and you who have things to sort out, it's me and Hermione."

"Well Hermione is too stubborn to admit she was wrong."

Tabby sat back in the chair, she really didn't need this conversation now; she was tired and confused about her encounter with Draco.

"Look Harry, I know she's your friend and everything, but Hermione is the one with the problem here, not me. If you want to sort this out I suggest you talk to Hermione, and find out exactly what her problem is."

"I told you, Hermione's just jealous, she can see what a brilliant witch and person you are and she feels intimidated. The only way she can deal with that is by pushing you away."

"Well there's nothing I can do about that, is there?"

"You could be bad."

"Excuse me?"

"Well if you started turning up late and not doing your work, then she would see you as another bad student and realise your not trying to take her place."

"Oh come off it Harry. You know I am just about sick of all of you lot. You all think that you're so important. Hermione thinks that all that matters is grades, and you and Ron just stand by while you so called best friend isolates a good person. You are all so short sighted, you need to wake up and realise there are much more important things in life than petty squabbles."

Tabby walked over to the door, it was locked; she took out her wand and tried to unlock it, to no avail.

"This is my Room of Requirement Tabby, and I require that door to stay locked until we have sorted this out."

Tabby sighed, went back to her chair and curled up in it. She promptly fell asleep. Harry watched her. Maybe she was right, maybe this wasn't the way to solve things, but right now it was the best he had. He was willing to stay in here for a few days if he needed to. Tabby was right in saying this was Hermione's problem, but that was seen to, Hermione was going to come and meet Harry here in the morning. Then they could get everything sorted out for good. With that ray of hope focussed in his mind Harry fell into a deep sleep.