~ Got caught in your web and I learned how to bleed
I was prey in your bed and devoured completely ~
Before he had even opened his eyes, Harry became painfully aware that he was lying on the cold, hard, dirty floor of the girl's lavatory. He pushed himself up with a groan of discomfort and stood staring at his rumpled reflection in the mirror. With a sigh, he turned the tap and splashed some water onto his face, then cupped his hands and rinsed the bad un-brushed taste out of his mouth.
The corridors were bustling with students on their way to breakfast as Harry joined the noisy throng heading towards the Great Hall. Only a handful of Gryffindors were already seated when Harry entered and, at his approach, they all simultaneously moved away so that he was sitting at one end of the table alone.
At first, Harry felt hurt by the obvious rebuff, but quickly remembered that they were all working against him with Ron and Hermione. A warm smile and a wink from Ethan over at the Slytherin table instantly quelled any lingering doubts about his friend's betrayal. More and more Gryffindors accumulated around the long table, blatantly ignoring the Boy-Who-Lived and sitting as far away from him as possible.
Harry looked down at his plate in embarrassment as the rest of the school began to take notice of the strange seating arrangement over at Gryffindor table.
"Harry! Harry, where have you been?"
Harry snapped his head up at Hermione's frantic shouts as she and Ron entered the Hall. He narrowed his eyes and refused to answer, choosing instead to turn away from them and give his attention to the head table. He locked eyes with Snape and immediately dropped his gaze from the Professor's searching look.
"Harry?" Ron ventured tentatively, as he sat across the table from him.
Hermione pursed her lips as she noticed the venomous looks directed Harry's way from the rest of her house.
"Harry?" she tried, when Ron's hesitant inquisition went unanswered.
"I thought I made it perfectly clear yesterday that I didn't wish to speak to you two anymore," Harry finally replied calmly.
"But-" Ron started.
Harry shut him up with an icy glare.
"You weren't yourself yesterday," Hermione finished firmly.
Ron nodded.
"This is the real me, and if you can't handle it then I suggest you sod off and find some one else that will fit your idea of 'normal'," Harry said coolly.
"You can't expect us to believe-"
"All I expect," Harry cut in sharply, "is for you two to leave me the hell alone!"
With that, Harry rose from the bench and stormed out of the Hall. The nearby tables buzzed in curiosity, some of the students shooting furtive glances towards Draco to see his reaction.
Draco watched Harry's angry exit with an impartial air, but inside he was dying to know what was going on with the moody Gryffindor. He was confused over Harry's uncharacteristic behaviour; from finding him vulnerable and weak hiding under staircases, to confidently striding through the dungeon corridors clad in nothing but pyjamas, to publicly dismissing his two best friends at breakfast – it just all seemed very strange.
Over at the Gryffindor table, Ron and Hermione were thinking the exact same thing.
"Just let him go," Seamus advised them loudly.
"Forget him," Dean added darkly. "I for one have had enough of his self-absorbed behaviour."
There were nods and murmurs of agreement from around the hostile table.
"We have to talk to him," Ron urgently whispered aside to Hermione.
"I know," she replied quietly. "Come on."
Under the scrutiny of the rest of the school, two thirds of the Gryffindor trio went off in search of their friend.
Harry wandered aimlessly across the school grounds, unconsciously ending up by the Whomping Willow. He stood back and looked up at the proud, old tree sadly. It was a reminder of happier times and he knew he would never again be able to set foot in the Shrieking Shack without subconsciously conjuring up the image of Draco; all smooth skin and silvery hair, the smell of him, the taste, the sound of his laughter still echoing down the secret tunnel like a ghost. It was all just a memory now, one he so desperately wanted to wipe out.
"Harry?"
Lost in thought, Harry hadn't heard the approach of Ron and Hermione behind him. He sighed wearily and kept his back turned to them.
"Harry, please talk to us," Ron pleaded. "Tell us what's wrong, why you're acting so strange."
Harry clenched his jaw at the word 'strange'. He knew what they really wanted to say was, 'stop being gay and dating Slytherin boys.'
"You can't change me," Harry said quietly.
"We don't want to change you," Hermione said desperately. "We just want the old Harry back."
"Well, that's too bad," Harry snapped. "This is the new me and you'll just have to deal with it."
"Harry," Hermione frowned, starting to feel frustrated. "I don't know why you're acting like this, but it's not who you are."
"Would you stop telling me who I am!" Harry shouted, spinning around to face them.
"Listen to yourself!" Ron exclaimed. "Stop getting so defensive, we're just trying to help."
"Help?" Harry scoffed. "If you really wanted to help, you'd stay the fuck out of my life!"
"Not when you're being so obviously manipulated by some one else," Hermione shot back.
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd drag Ethan into this," Harry sneered.
"He's the source of all your problems, Harry."
"No, he is the source of what little happiness I have left, thanks to you two, and now you are the source of all my problems."
"Why can't you see what he's doing to you?" Ron asked heatedly. "For some one heralded as the future saviour of the wizarding world, you sure are clueless!"
"Leave. Me. Alone," Harry seethed.
"No."
Harry ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. "Look, we've obviously grown apart, so let's just accept that and walk away."
"I refuse to believe that you suddenly woke up one morning loving Slytherins and calling Hermione a-"
"I don't care what you believe!" Harry exploded. "Get it through your head: I don't want to be your friend anymore!"
"Fine!" Ron yelled, cheeks flushed. "I don't have to stand here and take this when we're just trying to help you."
"You're making a mistake, Harry," Hermione warned.
"No, being friends with you guys was the biggest mistake of my life." Harry turned on his heel and walked off.
"That's it," Ron muttered angrily. "If he ever comes to his senses, he knows where to find us, but until then I don't want anything more to do with that pig-headed, ungrateful-"
"That was really him, Ron," Hermione said hollowly. "I don't think he was under any spells this time."
Ron shook his head and eyed Harry's slowly retreating back with contempt.
* * * * * * * * *
Harry missed all of his classes for the day and spent the time hiding away in the third floor corridor. He sat on the stone window seat with his legs drawn up and his chin resting on his knees, as he gazed sullenly out at the dark mass of trees in the distance that made up the Forbidden Forest. The gradually sinking sun cast beams of light into the musty room, illuminating Fluffy's abandoned trap door and the countless particles of dust floating in the air.
Harry sighed and checked his watch for the hundredth time, impatient for night to fall so that he could spend some time with Ethan; his one ally. Today's events had drudged up memories of his second year at Hogwarts, every student watching him and hating him, it was a hard situation to deal with and, no matter how much you think you hate them in return, it still hurts to be shunned and labelled an outcast. Harry was just glad that he had some one like Ethan that cared for him and was there for him when he needed it.
Another glance at his watch told him that dinner was nearly over. He hopped off the window seat and threw on his invisibility cloak as he headed off to the dungeons. He carefully threaded his way through the crowded corridors, pressing up against walls and ducking into alcoves to keep his presence unknown. He arrived out of breath at the secret entrance to the Slytherin dorms and leaned against the wall to wait for a student to come along and open the portrait for him.
Ten minutes later, two third years came strolling by, gave the password and entered. Harry deftly squeezed himself through before the large painting could swing shut again. He watched the two Slytherins he had followed in, flop down on the green couch and crack open their homework. He silently slipped past them and walked down the hallway to Ethan's seventh year dorm, but found that the door was locked. He removed his wand from under his cloak and tried to spell the door open, but it wouldn't budge. It had apparently been magically sealed shut.
He only had to wait another fifteen minutes before he saw the tall, French boy come striding up the hallway towards him.
"Psst! Ethan."
"Harry?" Ethan asked, looking around in bewilderment.
"I'm here," Harry said, touching his arm and making him jump slightly. "I'm using an invisibility cloak."
Ethan breathed out in relief. "Oh, right. I forgot you had one of those."
"How did you know?"
Ethan turned back towards his door and lifted his wand. "Let's get inside before some one comes along and hears us."
Harry nodded, unseen at his side.
"Énigme," Ethan muttered, releasing the door's locking spell. "Get in."
Harry followed Ethan inside and immediately dropped his invisibility cloak onto the nearest chair.
"I'll change the protection spell so that you can enter by yourself if you ever need or want to," Ethan said, re-locking the door behind him.
"Thanks," Harry smiled as he stood on the rug in front of the hearth.
"So, what happened to you today?" Ethan asked, creating a warm fire with the flick of his wand and moving to stand beside him.
"Ron and Hermione are trying to split us up."
"What? Why?" Ethan asked with a confused frown.
"I don't know," Harry sighed, staring into the dancing flames. "They keep making all these crazy accusations...but I know it's because I'm gay. Plus, the fact that my only relationships so far have been with Slytherins."
"And they can't handle it," Ethan stated simply. "So, what did you say to them?"
"I told them that since they can't handle the real me, then I didn't want anything more to do with them. It's over."
"Good for you," Ethan smiled supportively. "You don't need them, you have me."
Harry looked up and smiled weakly. "I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."
Ethan opened his arms and Harry gladly walked into the comforting hug. Harry sighed and relaxed in his embrace, resting his head on Ethan's shoulder and wrapping his arms around the slim waist. They stood quietly together for awhile until Harry finally pulled back and smiled up at him in unspoken gratitude.
Ethan leaned down and captured Harry's lips with his own, gently kissing the full lips beneath his own. After a moment's hesitation, Harry closed his eyes and returned the gentle pressure. Ethan tightened his hands possessively on Harry's back and deepened the kiss, and Harry obligingly opened his mouth, making an appreciative noise in the back of his throat as their tongues met for the first time.
Ethan ran his hands up under Harry's jumper and stroked the naked skin beneath. Harry groaned quietly and pulled away to allow Ethan to lift his shirt over his head and toss it to the floor. They quickly resumed kissing, passionately running their hands over backs and through hair.
Ethan walked Harry backwards towards his bed and roughly pushed him onto it. Harry blinked in surprise, then shuffled backwards as Ethan removed his own shirt and crawled up, lying alongside him. Harry welcomed the taste of Ethan's mouth and skin under his lips as they entangled themselves in each other's arms and legs. He buried his hands in the soft, chocolate coloured hair and closed his eyes as Ethan began to kiss down his throat and over his collar bone. Suddenly, Ethan's hands were on his belt and unsnapping his trousers.
Harry's eyes flew open. This was all happening too fast, it was still too soon, Draco...
"No, wait." He released his hold on Ethan and tried to sit up.
"What's wrong?" Ethan panted, his hands still frantically working the zip of Harry's trousers.
"Please, stop," Harry said, trying to pull his legs out from under the other boy.
"It's okay, pet," Ethan cooed soothingly. He crawled up and pushed Harry onto his back once again, then began to kiss his lips to muffle his protests.
Harry jerked again as Ethan's hands moved back to his pants. "Stop!" he demanded loudly, pushing against Ethan's chest.
The slap came so fast that he wouldn't have even known it happened if not for the sudden pain blinding the left side of his face. His hand flew to his cheek as he stared at Ethan in horror.
"Oh, God," Ethan gasped. "I'm so sorry, love. I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry. I don't know why..."
Harry sat up slowly, his hand still pressed to his cheek.
"Harry?" Ethan tentatively touched his shoulder. "You're shaking, are you cold?"
Ethan reached out and pulled the heavy blanket from his bed and wrapped it around Harry's shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I didn't mean it. You know I love you, don't you, Harry?"
Harry blinked and watched a tear slide down Ethan's cheek, he immediately felt bad for making him cry. "I know," he answered quietly. "I'm sorry, it was my fault. Don't be mad at me."
"It's okay," Ethan breathed in relief. "I understand, it's too soon for you."
"Yes," Harry nodded, glad that he understood and wasn't upset. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Come here," Ethan beckoned.
Harry leaned into Ethan's open arms and clung to the warm blanket still draped around him like a cocoon.
"Please stay for the night," Ethan asked softly.
Harry tensed.
"Just to sleep," Ethan added hurriedly. "I just want to be near you."
"Of course," Harry readily agreed, eager to make it up to him in any way possible.
"I love you, Harry."
Harry closed his eyes, knowing he didn't deserve to be loved and desperate to hold onto the only person left in his life that loved him in spite of it.