Title: Rusty Cage
Author: Kaz (duch_of_darkness@hotmail.com or @yahoo.com)
Subject: Harry Potter
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Rating: PG13-R for theme, language, and mature activities
Prewriting Note and Recap: Upon drinking a spiked (as Dodo called it) drink, turning into a girl and changing back in front of his rival, Harry has gained a new friendship--or rather, should it be said he gained a new "relationship"? Last chapter, the famous Harry Potter and the venomous Draco Malfoy shared a true kiss.
Warning: My spelling is not too great, grammar neither. Please forgive me if something is ever to be wrong or seems that way. Thank you for your patience and participation in the building of the story. Also, this story, as many readers know by now, has male/male relationships.
Apologies: I'm sorry for the late updating as I have lost all my disks that contain all the work I am currently been trying to do and complete. Now, if you people still want to kill me, that's okay, I deserve it. But please, be nice? Uh… () Heh… Oh boy…
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or plot of Harry Potter, but JK Rowling does! Full credit is given to her for her wonderful production and lovely series she have given to all the HP lovers out there! ^^ Go JK Rowling!
Original Summary: Perhaps a certain person accidentally drank a potion that turned them into the opposite gender... What happens when the person they hate most reveals to them that they actually like them, but doesn't know that they're speaking to that person? What happens if that certain person who's of the opposite gender returns these affections and so on? And who exactly am I talking about? Read, review, and find out...
Sequence: Part 6/??
Dialogue: "talking" /thinking\(if ever needed) [author's words] ~*~different scene/time/etc~*~
~*~*~*~*~
Part Six
I woke up, wrapped in the blond's arms. A soft smile was placed on his lips, and that smile told me he was happy. For what reason, I could guess. I smiled myself, but quickly hid it as I remembered where we were. Slowly and carefully sliding from his grasp, I tumbled out of the bed in the hospital wing. Everything around me was rather blurry, so I went straight for my glasses that laid on his bedside table. Once on, I looked around again. The first thing I noticed was Kaz, Hermione and Ron entering the Hospital Wing and coming toward me. I noticed that Kaz held two flowers, but I was confused. First off, why was she holding flowers? And second of all, why were Ron and Hermione here with her?
They stopped just before me, Hermione with a nervous look upon her face, Ron looking as if he'd rather be somewhere else, and Kaz just with just glee. I frowned, unsure of why they were all coming to visit me (I knew Kaz was here for me since she was part of all this mess, but as for Hermione and Ron, I was unsure).
The three stopped before me as I grabbed my pack from beside the bed. "Hey Hermione, Ron, Kaz."
Kaz greeted me with a hug while Hermione presented a nervous smile and Ron still looked like he'd rather not be here. I was a little concerned about the two's behavior. Kaz, she was as happy as ever, but Hermione and Ron... well...
"Hermione, Ron, what's the matter? You two seem rather out of it right now." I paused, eyeing the two of them. "Anything up?"
Hermione shook her head but said nothing, something unlike her--and unlike Ron especially as he talked more then Hermione. Kaz was the first to open her mouth.
"Well, we're here to tell you what's going to happen and why all of this happened."
I blinked. "What?"
Hermione stepped up to me and hugged me for reasons I was yet to know, pulled back, and gave me her most apologetic look possible. "Oh Harry, I'm sorry."
"What for?"
Then suddenly, Ron shouted out, "It was all her idea!"
I frowned at him, then turned back to Kaz--she was silent--then turned back to Hermione who tried to avoide my gaze. "What's going on?"
Hermione, after several minutes, sighed and shook her head, seeming defeated. "Well, first off, I hope you won't be mad at me. Please promise me that."
"Fine."
"Okay. Second of all, I'm sorry."
"... Okay."
"Alright. Well, Ron and I spiked your drink."
"...." I blinked, unsure of what I should say. Certainly, I could have been mad, but I said that I wouldn't. So... I could only blink and stare. "... And... why did you...?"
She bit her bottom lip. "Well, we thought that it would be good if you and Malfoy got along."
I turned to Ron. "Why?"
He winced as if I hit him or something. "Well, at first we thought that if the snake Malfoy could get along with his enemy, you Harry, then maybe the insults and such would stop."
I interrupted. "And you never thought of asking me first on what I would say on this?"
"Well, yes, we did. But the thought of just you as yourself going up to him and asking friendship was highly impossible and that he wouldn't come within three meters of you just to have you ask him such an absurd request. Especially in front of who knows how many people and for such a petty request."
"Actually, I wouldn't let Potter come within a hall-way's length of him if he just up and asked me that in front of people," came Draco's voice from behind me. Apparently, he was awake.
I turned to see him half smile at me before turning back to the other three, a frown set upon his face.
Hermione gulped visibly. "I'm sorry on your part as well, Malfoy."
He shrugged. Obviously, he didn't care as he got the one he wished. (Cough, cough. Duh, I'm talking about me.)
"Well," she continued, "after we trashed the thought of having you and Harry get together, we then thought about Harry changing his appearance to still get your friendship."
"But that, we realized, still wouldn't work." Ron shook his head, stepping up next to Hermione and clearing hs throat to help her in the explanation. "So, I suggested on having you two as a couple, you know, fake it with Harry and you in a one moment picture thing. It was for infuriating you, your dad, and get a few laughs. I wasn't so sure, but it seemed like a funny idea then."
"But then, I caught on with my own ideas, like blackmailing the Malfoy's." Hermione pursed her lips in a pause, looking at Malfoy as if expected he would jump up and bite here, but he didn't. "But then, we thought that maybe there was more we could do then just blackmail him."
Kaz stepped up to the plate, entering the conversation with her usual cheery self. "And then, that's where I come in. I had overheard them talking about it while you were away at practice, and suggested that you be used to gain Malfoy's friendship, or maybe even more, so that eventually, when his father asks for his assistance, he could be used as a spy for Dumbledore of for Harry alone even."
Malfoy blinked and he and I exchanged stares. Bloody heck, this wasn't exactly what we expected. I lifted a brow, and the blond did the same. I turned back to the three explaining their plot and searched their faces for any sign of... well, anything.
"But still, there came the problem of have you two in your original forms. So, we went back to changing your form, Harry. Obviously, if Malfoy's appearance was changed, then he would call his father and upon request, the Dark Lord would wreck havoc on Hogwarts and have the two of us burn alive if is suited him."
Malfoy frowned. "He wouldn't do that just for me. My father would do it himself."
Ron nodded. "True, and probably blame my family for it."
"And that's exactly what we guessed would happen, so we dropped the idea of you being the victim instead of Harry," Kaz said, her voice just a little too cheery. It seemed like she rather enjoyed this moment and the very thought of all this as it progressed and all.
"So, we went back to Harry. We still thought that it would be rather stupid to have you go in as you were, so I suggested a spell or possibly a potion," Hermione chirped. (Man, even in a situation like this, the girl can still feel oh-so-happy about her genius-ness.)
Kaz shook her head, sitting back down on the bed. "But a spell was oh too temporary. It would only last, either forever, or too short of time, and that's what we needed. Time. So, a potion it was."
"Hermione looked through her books, sneaked into the forbidden section of the library--she said it was worth the trouble!--and all that, looking through potion books. She said that a Polyjuice Potion wouldn't be enough! So another would have to be sought!" Ron made rather wide and wild gestures.
"And that's when I remembered the book I had in my trunk. You know, the one I showed you, Harry, when you first asked me about it. I found a potion on gender switching. It said only a month's worth, but it had to be enough. Sure, we were rather pushed with time, for a month would most likely not be enought for what we planned, but apparently, we had no choice. It was all we had, so it had to do."
"But you said that you didn't know half of the ingedients!"
"I didn't. But Hermione knew more then me. Of course not all, but she knew that if she just copied them down, she could sneak it from Snape or something."
I turned to Hermione who flushed with embarrassment. I grinned. "Well, first the polyjuice potion, and now this. Hermione, I believe that you hanging around me and Ron has definitely changed you from a good scholar witch to a troublesome scholar witch."
Her flush deepened, but she still managed to continue with the story. "W-Well, I did sneak the ingredients, but knew that he would be limited, considering that some of them were very rare."
Malfoy laughed just then, drawing attention to himself. "So you risked being expelled and most-likely killed by this new Potions professor? And all for getting me and Potter together? Hah! Potter's right, Granger, you certainly have changed!"
She stared at the floor at this comment, obviously liking the sudden praise, even if from a used-to-be snake. Ron then took the liberty to fill in for her. "Hermione got them in record time, and it was made the same night. We then came across the trouble of how we were to get you to take it. Of course you wouldn't take it in it's original form, so Kaz suggested your drink. But again, how would we get it in there for you to drink it? Well, she figured that if I or Hermione, or maybe both distracted you while you ate, then she could slip it in your drink while you didn't notice."
I blinked, seeing Kaz smile like nothing was wrong. "And did you think of witnesses? I mean, the Professors see all that happens in the Hall."
She nodded. "Yeah, but Dumbledor already knew."
Malfoy coughed. I turned to see that he was right in the middle of drinking water when he heard that Dumbledore was in on the scheme as well. "What? That old man knew too?!"
I rolled my eyes. "He knows all, remember? He knows everything that happens at Hogwarts, my dragon."
He blinked at me. "What now, you're nicknaming me, Potter?"
I shrugged. "Why not?"
He rolled his eyes before letting the subject drop and let the story continue. "But just a minute. How does he know?"
Kaz waved her hand. "Me, of course."
Malfoy sneered. "Ah, of course, the Professor's narc."
Kaz looked as if she didn't mind. Hermione, seeming to have recovered herself, cleared her throat. "Anyway, Dumbledore knew, so there was no problem in slipping it in. So, when you were thrusty, you drank finally drank the potion mixed with the drink, and overnight, you turned into a girl. We had Kaz serve as a helper to make sure the plan was fulfilled since if Ron or I were to help you, things would sure to slip out and everything would fall apart."
I nodded. "So that's why she was so gracious in helping me. And that's why she was late that day. Really, she was meant to help me and have me do all those things. And that's why Dumbledore was so carefree. No WONDER I felt uneasy."
Kaz frowned. "Actually, Dumbledore was too carefree, Harry. Didn't you notice that something seemed wrong with him? Not only was he too carefree, but whenever we were at his office, or me by myself, he seemed to always be there, as usually, he isn't since he's always busy, and drawn into himself. Sure, he helped whenever I called for it, but that was it. Doesn't Dumbledore usually help more graciously then that? You should know, Harry. You've been in his office many times enough."
I nodded, suddenly realizing it. As far as I've told this tale of my turn of things this past month, I never mentioned the change in Dumbledore during all this. I never mentioned it because it wasn't important to the matter at hand. But now that it was brought up... Hmm....
I sat down on the edge of Malfoy's bed, thinking through my situation carefully. Okay, it was Hermione, Ron, and Kaz who plotted this insane thing on me and Malfoy, and Dumbledore was in on it as well, even though he seemed rather out of it along the way. Geez, talk about complex and confusing, and rather dramatic and overdone.
But one thing for sure I was glad about was that Malfoy and I were together, even if it was thanks to these three loons. I turned around to stare at him as he was staring back at me. We probably shared pretty much the same thoughts and feelings, so there was no need for verbal communication to express them. I was the first to do anything and rolled my eyes. It was him who was next, chuckling at my girlish expression and gesture.
Well, heck, I never said the darn habits went a away yet, did I? Anyway, he joked on my behavior and I could do nothing but laugh. I was glad the others did as well, the atmosphere lightening greatly after that break of tension.
"So, Harry, you're not mad?"
I smiled, scooting over toward Malfoy. "How could I? Sure, I would've at first, but then, I got something good out of all this, and it's appreciated."
From behind, Malfoy brought himself up into a sitting position and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back onto him. He smiled as he rested his head on my shoulder. "And I'm not that bothered either, Granger. Certainly, I was confused, but I'm fine now. Of course, it's still rather amusing to find that you two had the guts to pull something like this."
Ron looked like he would take back the apology and pummel Malfoy into the ground, or possibly have him break a limp or two, while Hermione looked flabbergasted and flushed, and Kaz only laughed as I did.
I turned around in Malfoy's arms, looking down at him with a smile playing on my lips. "Malfoy, you still don't lose your touch in flapping that mouth of yours, do you?"
He rose his head proudly. "Of course not! That's what I'm talented in!"
I leaned in to whisper. "Not only that I hope." I winked to hint what I meant. He smirked and squeezed me a little.
"You are the devil, Potter, I swear it." he said, chuckling with amusement.
I smiled, pulling back. "Oh? Then so be it, Malfoy. I am the devil, and you are my pet dragon."
He laughed. So did I. We didn't seem to mind anything at all. I didn't care for what they planned anymore as I enjoyed just being with my dragon, so I seemed obvlivious to all what could have been dangerous. It just didn't matter, and eventually, Hermione, Ron, and Kaz joined us in the relaxing atmosphere.
The morning was so much better after all the troubles were solved. And when Madam Pomfrey came to fix Malfoy up a bit before he could leave the Wing, it was then I realized we never figured out what would happen after all this. I mean, even though he and I are... well, yeah, what are we going to do? Since I was supposedly gone for a month, no conflict or contact between us two should have happened. And as for "Harriet P", she's supposed to have left the night of that ball thing. So... that means, he and I were to keep up our images, and to do that, we had to pretend we hated each other again.
I mentioned this slight problem to the others, and evidentally, the only choice we had WAS to fake our hatred in public while our relationship and friendship stayed in secret and only shown in privacy. We agreed to it. Once we left the Hospital Wing, we would go to our old ways. So be it. As long as I still know he still, truly loves me.
It's all I need to know.
~*~*~*~
AN: First off, this is definitely not the end! Second off, part of this is inspired by Orphne, one of the funnest/coolest HP/DM writers I've ever read from, and in ff.net! Well, I doubt this person knows about my praise, but that's okay! For those who know Orphne, they can send the message for me as I'm sure I haven't done so yet. (Back off, I will eventually.) Third off, some explanation on the definition of the title "Rusty Cage." See, "Rusty Cage" is called so from the rock song named as such. But there's more to it then just being named just like a rock song. See, the "rust" part is Harry's temporary state of girlness. The "cage" part is for being trapped in the form of a girl. The potion would only stay for a month, thus, the metaphor of a rusty cage. Think about it, if there were a new, metal cage, would it easily be broken? No. A rusty cage can easily be broken when compared to one that isn't. Hell, I should know. Rust is NOT cool when it breaks your chains and anything you have that's metal. (*sobs at the loss of jewelry and accessories due to rust*)
Author: Kaz (duch_of_darkness@hotmail.com or @yahoo.com)
Subject: Harry Potter
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Rating: PG13-R for theme, language, and mature activities
Prewriting Note and Recap: Upon drinking a spiked (as Dodo called it) drink, turning into a girl and changing back in front of his rival, Harry has gained a new friendship--or rather, should it be said he gained a new "relationship"? Last chapter, the famous Harry Potter and the venomous Draco Malfoy shared a true kiss.
Warning: My spelling is not too great, grammar neither. Please forgive me if something is ever to be wrong or seems that way. Thank you for your patience and participation in the building of the story. Also, this story, as many readers know by now, has male/male relationships.
Apologies: I'm sorry for the late updating as I have lost all my disks that contain all the work I am currently been trying to do and complete. Now, if you people still want to kill me, that's okay, I deserve it. But please, be nice? Uh… () Heh… Oh boy…
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or plot of Harry Potter, but JK Rowling does! Full credit is given to her for her wonderful production and lovely series she have given to all the HP lovers out there! ^^ Go JK Rowling!
Original Summary: Perhaps a certain person accidentally drank a potion that turned them into the opposite gender... What happens when the person they hate most reveals to them that they actually like them, but doesn't know that they're speaking to that person? What happens if that certain person who's of the opposite gender returns these affections and so on? And who exactly am I talking about? Read, review, and find out...
Sequence: Part 6/??
Dialogue: "talking" /thinking\(if ever needed) [author's words] ~*~different scene/time/etc~*~
~*~*~*~*~
Part Six
I woke up, wrapped in the blond's arms. A soft smile was placed on his lips, and that smile told me he was happy. For what reason, I could guess. I smiled myself, but quickly hid it as I remembered where we were. Slowly and carefully sliding from his grasp, I tumbled out of the bed in the hospital wing. Everything around me was rather blurry, so I went straight for my glasses that laid on his bedside table. Once on, I looked around again. The first thing I noticed was Kaz, Hermione and Ron entering the Hospital Wing and coming toward me. I noticed that Kaz held two flowers, but I was confused. First off, why was she holding flowers? And second of all, why were Ron and Hermione here with her?
They stopped just before me, Hermione with a nervous look upon her face, Ron looking as if he'd rather be somewhere else, and Kaz just with just glee. I frowned, unsure of why they were all coming to visit me (I knew Kaz was here for me since she was part of all this mess, but as for Hermione and Ron, I was unsure).
The three stopped before me as I grabbed my pack from beside the bed. "Hey Hermione, Ron, Kaz."
Kaz greeted me with a hug while Hermione presented a nervous smile and Ron still looked like he'd rather not be here. I was a little concerned about the two's behavior. Kaz, she was as happy as ever, but Hermione and Ron... well...
"Hermione, Ron, what's the matter? You two seem rather out of it right now." I paused, eyeing the two of them. "Anything up?"
Hermione shook her head but said nothing, something unlike her--and unlike Ron especially as he talked more then Hermione. Kaz was the first to open her mouth.
"Well, we're here to tell you what's going to happen and why all of this happened."
I blinked. "What?"
Hermione stepped up to me and hugged me for reasons I was yet to know, pulled back, and gave me her most apologetic look possible. "Oh Harry, I'm sorry."
"What for?"
Then suddenly, Ron shouted out, "It was all her idea!"
I frowned at him, then turned back to Kaz--she was silent--then turned back to Hermione who tried to avoide my gaze. "What's going on?"
Hermione, after several minutes, sighed and shook her head, seeming defeated. "Well, first off, I hope you won't be mad at me. Please promise me that."
"Fine."
"Okay. Second of all, I'm sorry."
"... Okay."
"Alright. Well, Ron and I spiked your drink."
"...." I blinked, unsure of what I should say. Certainly, I could have been mad, but I said that I wouldn't. So... I could only blink and stare. "... And... why did you...?"
She bit her bottom lip. "Well, we thought that it would be good if you and Malfoy got along."
I turned to Ron. "Why?"
He winced as if I hit him or something. "Well, at first we thought that if the snake Malfoy could get along with his enemy, you Harry, then maybe the insults and such would stop."
I interrupted. "And you never thought of asking me first on what I would say on this?"
"Well, yes, we did. But the thought of just you as yourself going up to him and asking friendship was highly impossible and that he wouldn't come within three meters of you just to have you ask him such an absurd request. Especially in front of who knows how many people and for such a petty request."
"Actually, I wouldn't let Potter come within a hall-way's length of him if he just up and asked me that in front of people," came Draco's voice from behind me. Apparently, he was awake.
I turned to see him half smile at me before turning back to the other three, a frown set upon his face.
Hermione gulped visibly. "I'm sorry on your part as well, Malfoy."
He shrugged. Obviously, he didn't care as he got the one he wished. (Cough, cough. Duh, I'm talking about me.)
"Well," she continued, "after we trashed the thought of having you and Harry get together, we then thought about Harry changing his appearance to still get your friendship."
"But that, we realized, still wouldn't work." Ron shook his head, stepping up next to Hermione and clearing hs throat to help her in the explanation. "So, I suggested on having you two as a couple, you know, fake it with Harry and you in a one moment picture thing. It was for infuriating you, your dad, and get a few laughs. I wasn't so sure, but it seemed like a funny idea then."
"But then, I caught on with my own ideas, like blackmailing the Malfoy's." Hermione pursed her lips in a pause, looking at Malfoy as if expected he would jump up and bite here, but he didn't. "But then, we thought that maybe there was more we could do then just blackmail him."
Kaz stepped up to the plate, entering the conversation with her usual cheery self. "And then, that's where I come in. I had overheard them talking about it while you were away at practice, and suggested that you be used to gain Malfoy's friendship, or maybe even more, so that eventually, when his father asks for his assistance, he could be used as a spy for Dumbledore of for Harry alone even."
Malfoy blinked and he and I exchanged stares. Bloody heck, this wasn't exactly what we expected. I lifted a brow, and the blond did the same. I turned back to the three explaining their plot and searched their faces for any sign of... well, anything.
"But still, there came the problem of have you two in your original forms. So, we went back to changing your form, Harry. Obviously, if Malfoy's appearance was changed, then he would call his father and upon request, the Dark Lord would wreck havoc on Hogwarts and have the two of us burn alive if is suited him."
Malfoy frowned. "He wouldn't do that just for me. My father would do it himself."
Ron nodded. "True, and probably blame my family for it."
"And that's exactly what we guessed would happen, so we dropped the idea of you being the victim instead of Harry," Kaz said, her voice just a little too cheery. It seemed like she rather enjoyed this moment and the very thought of all this as it progressed and all.
"So, we went back to Harry. We still thought that it would be rather stupid to have you go in as you were, so I suggested a spell or possibly a potion," Hermione chirped. (Man, even in a situation like this, the girl can still feel oh-so-happy about her genius-ness.)
Kaz shook her head, sitting back down on the bed. "But a spell was oh too temporary. It would only last, either forever, or too short of time, and that's what we needed. Time. So, a potion it was."
"Hermione looked through her books, sneaked into the forbidden section of the library--she said it was worth the trouble!--and all that, looking through potion books. She said that a Polyjuice Potion wouldn't be enough! So another would have to be sought!" Ron made rather wide and wild gestures.
"And that's when I remembered the book I had in my trunk. You know, the one I showed you, Harry, when you first asked me about it. I found a potion on gender switching. It said only a month's worth, but it had to be enough. Sure, we were rather pushed with time, for a month would most likely not be enought for what we planned, but apparently, we had no choice. It was all we had, so it had to do."
"But you said that you didn't know half of the ingedients!"
"I didn't. But Hermione knew more then me. Of course not all, but she knew that if she just copied them down, she could sneak it from Snape or something."
I turned to Hermione who flushed with embarrassment. I grinned. "Well, first the polyjuice potion, and now this. Hermione, I believe that you hanging around me and Ron has definitely changed you from a good scholar witch to a troublesome scholar witch."
Her flush deepened, but she still managed to continue with the story. "W-Well, I did sneak the ingredients, but knew that he would be limited, considering that some of them were very rare."
Malfoy laughed just then, drawing attention to himself. "So you risked being expelled and most-likely killed by this new Potions professor? And all for getting me and Potter together? Hah! Potter's right, Granger, you certainly have changed!"
She stared at the floor at this comment, obviously liking the sudden praise, even if from a used-to-be snake. Ron then took the liberty to fill in for her. "Hermione got them in record time, and it was made the same night. We then came across the trouble of how we were to get you to take it. Of course you wouldn't take it in it's original form, so Kaz suggested your drink. But again, how would we get it in there for you to drink it? Well, she figured that if I or Hermione, or maybe both distracted you while you ate, then she could slip it in your drink while you didn't notice."
I blinked, seeing Kaz smile like nothing was wrong. "And did you think of witnesses? I mean, the Professors see all that happens in the Hall."
She nodded. "Yeah, but Dumbledor already knew."
Malfoy coughed. I turned to see that he was right in the middle of drinking water when he heard that Dumbledore was in on the scheme as well. "What? That old man knew too?!"
I rolled my eyes. "He knows all, remember? He knows everything that happens at Hogwarts, my dragon."
He blinked at me. "What now, you're nicknaming me, Potter?"
I shrugged. "Why not?"
He rolled his eyes before letting the subject drop and let the story continue. "But just a minute. How does he know?"
Kaz waved her hand. "Me, of course."
Malfoy sneered. "Ah, of course, the Professor's narc."
Kaz looked as if she didn't mind. Hermione, seeming to have recovered herself, cleared her throat. "Anyway, Dumbledore knew, so there was no problem in slipping it in. So, when you were thrusty, you drank finally drank the potion mixed with the drink, and overnight, you turned into a girl. We had Kaz serve as a helper to make sure the plan was fulfilled since if Ron or I were to help you, things would sure to slip out and everything would fall apart."
I nodded. "So that's why she was so gracious in helping me. And that's why she was late that day. Really, she was meant to help me and have me do all those things. And that's why Dumbledore was so carefree. No WONDER I felt uneasy."
Kaz frowned. "Actually, Dumbledore was too carefree, Harry. Didn't you notice that something seemed wrong with him? Not only was he too carefree, but whenever we were at his office, or me by myself, he seemed to always be there, as usually, he isn't since he's always busy, and drawn into himself. Sure, he helped whenever I called for it, but that was it. Doesn't Dumbledore usually help more graciously then that? You should know, Harry. You've been in his office many times enough."
I nodded, suddenly realizing it. As far as I've told this tale of my turn of things this past month, I never mentioned the change in Dumbledore during all this. I never mentioned it because it wasn't important to the matter at hand. But now that it was brought up... Hmm....
I sat down on the edge of Malfoy's bed, thinking through my situation carefully. Okay, it was Hermione, Ron, and Kaz who plotted this insane thing on me and Malfoy, and Dumbledore was in on it as well, even though he seemed rather out of it along the way. Geez, talk about complex and confusing, and rather dramatic and overdone.
But one thing for sure I was glad about was that Malfoy and I were together, even if it was thanks to these three loons. I turned around to stare at him as he was staring back at me. We probably shared pretty much the same thoughts and feelings, so there was no need for verbal communication to express them. I was the first to do anything and rolled my eyes. It was him who was next, chuckling at my girlish expression and gesture.
Well, heck, I never said the darn habits went a away yet, did I? Anyway, he joked on my behavior and I could do nothing but laugh. I was glad the others did as well, the atmosphere lightening greatly after that break of tension.
"So, Harry, you're not mad?"
I smiled, scooting over toward Malfoy. "How could I? Sure, I would've at first, but then, I got something good out of all this, and it's appreciated."
From behind, Malfoy brought himself up into a sitting position and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back onto him. He smiled as he rested his head on my shoulder. "And I'm not that bothered either, Granger. Certainly, I was confused, but I'm fine now. Of course, it's still rather amusing to find that you two had the guts to pull something like this."
Ron looked like he would take back the apology and pummel Malfoy into the ground, or possibly have him break a limp or two, while Hermione looked flabbergasted and flushed, and Kaz only laughed as I did.
I turned around in Malfoy's arms, looking down at him with a smile playing on my lips. "Malfoy, you still don't lose your touch in flapping that mouth of yours, do you?"
He rose his head proudly. "Of course not! That's what I'm talented in!"
I leaned in to whisper. "Not only that I hope." I winked to hint what I meant. He smirked and squeezed me a little.
"You are the devil, Potter, I swear it." he said, chuckling with amusement.
I smiled, pulling back. "Oh? Then so be it, Malfoy. I am the devil, and you are my pet dragon."
He laughed. So did I. We didn't seem to mind anything at all. I didn't care for what they planned anymore as I enjoyed just being with my dragon, so I seemed obvlivious to all what could have been dangerous. It just didn't matter, and eventually, Hermione, Ron, and Kaz joined us in the relaxing atmosphere.
The morning was so much better after all the troubles were solved. And when Madam Pomfrey came to fix Malfoy up a bit before he could leave the Wing, it was then I realized we never figured out what would happen after all this. I mean, even though he and I are... well, yeah, what are we going to do? Since I was supposedly gone for a month, no conflict or contact between us two should have happened. And as for "Harriet P", she's supposed to have left the night of that ball thing. So... that means, he and I were to keep up our images, and to do that, we had to pretend we hated each other again.
I mentioned this slight problem to the others, and evidentally, the only choice we had WAS to fake our hatred in public while our relationship and friendship stayed in secret and only shown in privacy. We agreed to it. Once we left the Hospital Wing, we would go to our old ways. So be it. As long as I still know he still, truly loves me.
It's all I need to know.
~*~*~*~
AN: First off, this is definitely not the end! Second off, part of this is inspired by Orphne, one of the funnest/coolest HP/DM writers I've ever read from, and in ff.net! Well, I doubt this person knows about my praise, but that's okay! For those who know Orphne, they can send the message for me as I'm sure I haven't done so yet. (Back off, I will eventually.) Third off, some explanation on the definition of the title "Rusty Cage." See, "Rusty Cage" is called so from the rock song named as such. But there's more to it then just being named just like a rock song. See, the "rust" part is Harry's temporary state of girlness. The "cage" part is for being trapped in the form of a girl. The potion would only stay for a month, thus, the metaphor of a rusty cage. Think about it, if there were a new, metal cage, would it easily be broken? No. A rusty cage can easily be broken when compared to one that isn't. Hell, I should know. Rust is NOT cool when it breaks your chains and anything you have that's metal. (*sobs at the loss of jewelry and accessories due to rust*)