Chapter Six - Enough is enough

"Ron! What are you doing here?" Harry beamed.

Uncle Vernon growled slightly, causing them both to jump. Slowly ascending the stairs, Uncle Vernon glared at Harry and signalled with his eyes back to Ron. Ignoring his uncle's gesture, Harry dodged swiftly past him and went to greet Ron properly, jumping the last four steps that were still not repaired from Dudley's fall.

"Harry, mate, I-"

Ron was unable to finish his sentence as a whirlwind of bushy hair embraced Harry, uttering words Harry didn't understand.

"Harryyouidiotwhatifitwasatrapivebeensoworriedaboutyousohasronimgladyouresafedonteverdothatagain!"

"Slow down, Hermione," Harry mumbled, his mouth pressed up against her mousy brown hair.

Hermione pulled away from Harry and took a deep breath. She glanced at Ron who shrugged his shoulders in response, obviously showing her she could do all the talking.

"Harry, you idiot! What if going to Malfoy's was a trap? I've been so worried about you, so has Ron. Don't ever do that again!" Hermione cried.

"Hang on!" Harry yelled back in protest. "I didn't explain everything to you."

"Well why not? Honestly Harry, sometimes you-"

"I didn't want to tell you," Harry whispered.

Ron and Hermione each looked as if they had been slapped in the face. Ron frowned at Harry for a minute, as if he wasn't sure Harry was who he remembered him to be. Hermione looked wounded and stepped towards Ron.

"Okay, fine," she said shakily. "Why didn't you want to tell us, Harry? We're your best friends."

"It's too complicated," Harry snapped. He softened when they both looked offended this time. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Harry," Hermione started angrily, "All the times you told us in the past you were hearing things, something was going to happen, you were dreaming or you had a premonition - we believed you! Why is this different?"

This was true. Harry scowled. Maybe he just didn't want to tell them! Wasn't he allowed any secrets?

"I'm allowed to keep one secret to myself, aren't I?" Harry said indignantly. "You may be used to knowing about everything that happens to me - but I'd rather not tell you about this experience, okay?"

Harry realised what he was saying. How horrible could someone get? There they stood, his two best friends, feeling concerned about him - and all he could do was bawl at them. Who had he become since the visit to Malfoy Manor?

"You've changed, Harry," Ron whispered, choosing to speak. "Leave her alone, she just worries about you."

"Just fuck off," Harry spat. He bit his lip in surprise. "Oh guys, I'm sor-"

Hermione slapped him in the face. She didn't intend to, as she looked horrified when she drew her hand back. Ron looked stern though. He clearly felt Harry deserved it. Harry blinked back tears as he rubbed the side of his face, not looking at either of them. He felt his heart twinge with hurt as Ron marched back outside again.

"Harry, I'm sorry!" Hermione sobbed.

"It's okay, I was out of order," Harry admitted. "I'm just so confused."

"Ron, come back!" Hermione called.

Ron returned, reluctantly. He put his arm around Hermione when he saw her sobbing, immediately getting the wrong idea.

"What did you say to her?" Ron yelled, glaring fiercely at Harry.

"I didn't say anything," Harry stammered.

"Why are you so messed up all of a sudden?" Ron snapped.

"Ron," Hermione muttered. "You've got the wrong idea."

Harry could feel tears welling up in his eyes, but he determinedly blinked them back. He had made a spectacle of himself in front of the Dursleys, he didn't want to do the same in front of Ron and Hermione. Hermione continued to sob, although she was calming down. Harry suspected she was also crying from the way he had treated her. A great jab of guilt pierced his heart. Looking over at Ron, another jab followed suit. Ron was comforting Hermione, murmuring into her ear and the only words Harry could pick up were 'not worth it' and 'let's go'.

"Don't go," Harry spluttered quickly.

Ron led Hermione to the door, still murmuring in her ear. Harry panicked and burst out what he had decided was definitely the truth.

"I think Malfoy has feelings for me," he muttered.

They were out of the door when they both froze up. Hermione gasped in surprise, turned to face Harry, and gasped again. Ron looked a bit startled.

"I know it seems a bit bizarre, believe me. But he seemed to genuinely like me," Harry explained.

"What if it's a trap?" Ron demanded.

"I don't think it is," Harry replied, slightly annoyed.

"I don't like Malfoy. We don't like Malfoy," Ron said, disgusted.

"You may not like Malfoy, but I've been thinking, and-"

"What? You like Malfoy now? You're yelling at us and liking Malfoy?" Ron hissed angrily.

"Let me finish!" Harry yelled.

"Ron, Harry's trying to tell us! Just let him say it," Hermione protested.

Harry sighed and sat down, careful not to fall into a Dudley hole. He didn't like Malfoy - but he didn't hate him anymore. He felt bad for scorning him so much that day - he wanted to ask for forgiveness and maybe make a truce. He didn't point this out to Ron and Hermione, though. Feeling like he was treading in boiling water with Ron especially, Harry just quickly explained how Malfoy had treated him equally and how he had changed.

"Oh," Ron mumbled.

"I'm sorry about all the stuff I said," Harry stated. Hermione nodded gratefully, Ron raised his eyebrows.

There was definitely something wrong with him. Harry had never seen him angry like this, apart from when Harry was chosen for the Triwizard Tournament. Even then Harry had put it down to jealousy. He thought it would be strange of Ron to be jealous over this, as Ron clearly stated - he didn't like Malfoy. Desperately trying to change the subject, Harry explained about the holes in the stairs. He was pleased to see Hermione and Ron chuckle quietly as he forced some laughter of his own.

"So why did you drop around anyway?" Harry asked, his voice catching in his throat.

"To see if you still wanted to come around to The Burrow, but..." Hermione trailed off, glancing at Ron.

Ron hesitated for a moment, staring wistfully at Harry. They had put up with yelling sessions at Twelve Grimmauld Place last year, and Ron could always boot Harry out if things got out of hand. He doubted they would though, Harry seemed okay now.

"Yeah, do you still want to come over?" Ron finally asked, after what seemed an eternity.

"Of course I do," Harry muttered gratefully. "We'll have so much fun, we'll probably lose track of time!"

He wasn't sure who he was trying to kid, although he packed his trunk cheerily after telling Uncle Vernon, trying to convince himself he was okay. Although someone was gnawing at the back of his mind, someone he was constantly starting to think about.

And that someone sat alone, ten miles away, in his Manor.