Harry felt deceived but guilty at the same time. He didn't want to treat Cho like that, but she'd betrayed him deeply.
And now his whole world was falling apart. Everything he knew had changed into a very big problem he didn't know how to solve.
The only stable things in his life were his friends. They'd never deserted him. Never.
He included Draco.
Now he knew how the blond might have felt when he talked about Cho in front of him.
He had loved her. He still did, but he could not forget. He had felt that coldness and vanity radiating from her when she talked about Draco. He didn't want to be with someone like that. But he'd idealised Cho, and that's what had hurt the most.
**Maybe she changed when Cedric died.** he thought.
He winced. The Hufflepuff's memory still hurt him.
Perhaps Cho doesn't want to suffer anymore. Perhaps a part of her died with Cedric. Harry understood that. He had changed since that fateful day. He liked to believe that he'd matured, but deep down he knew that he'd lost his innocence. He was conscious of what Voldemort was capable of doing. After all he was a living proof.
He thought about Draco again. He had suffered a lot too.
A hateful father, and an irresponsible mother. Life hadn't been easy for him either. That's why they'd so many things in common. That's why they were connected in a way no one else was. Sometimes he wished he could feel the same way about him. But he couldn't.
^^Why?^^ asked a little voice inside his head.
"I just can't." replied Harry out loud.
"It's not right. I mean, I don't even like boys that way." continued saying the boy.
^^Tsk, tsk^^ the voice sounded clearly annoyed.
^^Why do I think that you're still in denial?^^
"You're joking, right?" the Gryffindor snorted nervously.
"I don't like Draco."
^^You don't? Well if you're so sure^^ the sarcastic voice said. ^^Why don't you pay more attention?^^
"Wait, what do you mean with that?" asked an irritated Harry. The voice couldn't be more cryptic.
But there was no response.
"Fine! Now I'm going mad." exclaimed Harry feeling very disturbed.
Monday 9 p.m. POTION'S CLASS
Both Draco and Severus had left the hospital on Saturday's night. They've recovered in a record time, that's why Madame Pomfrey decided to make them stay there until the classes started.
Meanwhile, Harry and the rest of the DA's members had had a secret meeting where they talked about long lost memories and new plans.
The one's that didn't studied at the school anymore returned to their homes the same day. But before going separate ways again, they decided to celebrated their victory.
Though Harry didn't feel like taking part in the party. He was constantly reminded of his inner voice and its warnings.
"What did it mean?" he asked himself over and over.
The Potion's professor entered the classroom without making a sound. His long black cloak billowing at every step he take. He was limping slightly due to the injuries he got thanks to Voldemort. That was the only thing that looked different in him. His usual silky voice was calling the students. Apparently, they were going to brew a potion in pairs today, and by the looks of it, the Gryffindor with a Slytherin ones would be his favourites.
"Granger and Parkinson, Weasley and Goyle, Thomas and Crabbe, Longbottom and Bullstrode" Neville squeaked. Millicent Bullstrode was one of the worst in the class, and that would not help him in the slightest. Oh, and he couldn't forget the fact that she was a Slytherin.
Snape continued with his task:
"...And Potter and Zabini." that didn't surprised the class at all. Harry and Draco had been Snape's favourite pairing, but since the boys had become friends, the man didn't consider it interesting anymore.
Harry gathered his belongings and sat near Zabini, who was looking at him with a wicked smile in his face.
The Gryffindor shuddered.
**This boy is definately scary.** he thought. He could still recall the stories Draco had told him about Blaise.
**Well, try to sit as far as possible.** he added mentally.
The class continued in relative calm. Neville and Millicent blew up a cauldron and Ron starred a fight with his partner. This last ended with two black eyes, a split lip and a furious Hermione.
But Harry didn't pay attention to that. He was busy staring at the nape of his friend's neck.
**Did he dye his hair, or it was its natural colour?**
He was staring with such intensity that Draco felt that he was being observed. The questioning look he threw at Harry made the Gryffindor realise of what he was really doing.
^^This is a start.^^ said the voice inside his head.
"Oh no!" muttered the boy, feeling exhausted.
^^You were checking him out!^^ exclaimed the voice.
"I was not. I was looking at his head. No hidden meanings." said Harry to defend himself.
^^And like I said, that's a start.^^
And the voice disappeared leaving Harry very confused.
"Potter? Mister Potter! I think a nice detention will teach you to listen properly." drawled a satisfied and smirking Snape.
"Tonight, 8 o'clock, in my office." he added curtly.
"Class dismissed."
SCHOOL GROUNDS
It was a sunny day, and Hermione decided that it'd be a good idea to study outdoors. Harry, Ron and Neville agreed because they'd been trying to find a good excuse to avoid the girl's famous study sessions but found none. Ginny was also there, but only, as Ron clearly stated, to give moral support to his boyfriend.
They'd been there for the last two hours and it seemed that the only productive thing they'd got to do was a rather interesting snog-your-partner session.
Harry began to feel left out when the couples started to talk about the Ball and the clothes they were going to wear. Well, the girls talked about that. Ron was giving Neville one of his "If-you-do-that-to-my-little-sister-I'll-kill-you" talks. That's why he stood up and headed to the lake.
"I seem to come here a lot lately." said the raven-haired boy out loud.
"I know. But who wouldn't? You don't see this everyday." replied a voice talking about the beautiful landscape.
Harry didn't move. He knew he'd had to face him sooner or later, and this was it.
"Yes, I guess you're right." said the Gryffindor.
"I am always right, Golden Boy. Never doubt that." Draco was being sarcastic and that calmed Harry a lot. He snorted and decided to continue with their bantering.
"Oooohh... Sorry Drake!" the blond glared at him. But the glare soon changed into a friendlier look and in no time, he was smiling widely.
^^Don't deny you like how his face looks when he smiles.^^ said the Harry's inner voice.
"Shut up!" shouted Harry. And then he remembered that Draco was still with him, now looking very confused.
"Harry? Are you allright?" asked the Slytherin.
"I thought you were saying something...." added the boy.
"Nope. Sorry. I was thinking and I didn't realise I was saying that out loud."
^^You're pathetic^^ commented the voice. Harry tried to relax.
"Ok" was Draco's insecure reply. He looked at his friend intently trying to discover if he was telling the truth but for once, he couldn't read Harry that easily.
"So are you feeling ok now?" asked Harry.
"Why? I am perfectly ok." said Draco winking at his raven-haired companion.
"Urggggg... Draco! I didn't mean that!" both boys were laughing. Harry turned serious after a moment and insisted.
"Madame Pomfrey said you weren't gravely injured, but I know he casted the Cruciatus on you."
"Don't worry. Malfoys are made of steel." answered Draco.
"I know Drake, I know." and a tense silence ensued. Both boys were thinking about the statement. Draco was the first that talked after that.
"Where are the others? Herm told me that she was going to begin her study sessions again. She mentioned something about the NEWT's coming soon."
"Oh! She said that we could study outdoors today, but this plan suffered slight changes." Harry gave him a meaningful look and the blond didn't need further explanations.
"Well I heard that someone had also an intense loving moment yesterday uh?" asked Draco, hiding his anxiety behind innocent curiosity.
"You mean with Cho?" the other boy nodded, encouraging Harry to go on.
"It wasn't very loving. Intense, yes. Not loving."
"Care to elaborate?" asked Draco annoyed by Harry's reactions.
"I don't know who told you, but they were wrong. We had a fight. I told her to disappear. End of the story." The Gryffindor didn't want to relive that moment, so he keep it short but straight to the point.
"That means she's not going to the Ball with you?" Draco was having problems trying to control the smirk that wanted to appear. Cho was not going with Harry. His Harry. He restrain himself from jumping happily.
"No. I told her not to come." Harry was clearly upset about the topic, that's why Draco, now very satisfied, decided they should get going.
"I think it's getting too late. What about making our friends a little visit?- he suggested.
Harry's face lit instantly.
"Ok! Let's go." said Harry.
"Last one is a Hufflepuff!!" shouted Draco while running very fast.
TO BE CONTINUED...