"Ouch!" Draco exclaimed under his breath as he stubbed his toe on a common room couch. He was trying to be quiet, thankfully it was late and the Gryffindor common room was empty.
Draco had followed a first year Gryffindor to outside the common room earlier that day and listened carefully as they recited the password, 'pettlewhamps,' to the portrait of the fat lady. Draco planned carefully on what he was going to wear and put a hat on to cover his face slightly as he glided through the school being careful to avoid a roaming teacher or ghost. He was now inside the common room and trying to figure out how exactly he had gotten up to Ron's dormitory before when he had stubbed his toe. Suddenly he heard a low gasp.
"Draco, what are you doing in here! Are you crazy!" It was Harry.
"I Ican explain!" All this careful planning on how he was going to meet Ron and the only thing Draco could think about was running as fast as he could.
"Shhh! Someone will hear you!" Harry stood up and came quickly towards Draco. "Draco, I know why you're here, you don't need to explain."
"You do?" Draco looked bewildered. Had Ron told Harry about them?
"Yes, I'm not stupid. You heard that Crabe and Goyle took out Ron and you had to see for yourself the damage they did!"
"Crabe and Goyle did what?!"
"They beat him up! Didn't you see he was black and blue, I bet you're proud of them! I suggest you get lost before I get Hermione down here. She is the head girl, and she could get you in serious trouble! You stay away from Ron, you hear me! I don't know how you got into this common room, but you stay the hell away from all of us!"
Draco couldn't breathe. THAT was why Ron wouldn't talk to him, Crabe and Goyle had threatened him and beaten him up! How much did they know about Ron and his relationship? Draco couldn't move.
"Harry listen to me I didn't know anything about Crabe and Goyle I, I need to talk to Ron. Please, couldn't you get him for me?"
"You've got to be joking! I said GET OUT! NOW! Leave Ron alone, are you deaf! GO!!!!" Harry's yelling would surely wake up the entire Gryffindor lot for sure.
"Harry, what is all this fuss about? Why are you making such a racket?" Draco heard Hermione call from up on the landing. If he didn't get out now he would be caught but he needed desperately to speak to Ron! Draco thought for a moment. If Crabe and Goyle found out he was going into the Gryffindor part of the castle they would surely kill Ron, he would have to leave.
"Harry, shh!" Draco spoke quickly. "You've got to tell no one about my coming in here. If Crabe and Goyle find out they'll kill Ron please, tell no one! Not even Ron. I'm leaving." With a swoosh of his cloak Draco had spun around and was speeding from the common room. He looked back briefly to see Harry meet Hermione at the bottom of the stairs. Hermione had thrown her arms around Harry's shoulders and their lips were pressed together. Draco didn't realize that Harry and Hermione were now together, secretly or not. He tore out from behind the portrait and raced back in the direction of the Slytherine common room.
Speaking the password he slide behind his own house's portrait and came face
to face with Crabe and Goyle themselves.
* * * * *
ah, left hanging! i hope you guys enjoyed the dual chapter release at one time. ive been meaning to update! all the review replies to date are on the bottom of chapter 9 :)