Chapter Ten - Dangerous Dispute
Harry wandered along the endless corridors, looking for a carriage that had room in it. Just before he gave up, Harry peered into the last one and saw Luna Lovegood sitting by herself.
"Mind if I sit here, Luna?" Harry asked, sitting down anyway.
"Not at all, Harry. You'll need a rest from that toilet fiasco," Luna said, wriggling her eyebrows.
Harry stared at her with bewilderment. "How did you know about that?"
"The Snarklepops, of course," Luna snapped, irritated at the fact Harry wasn't educated on all the bizarre creatures her father wrote about in The Quibbler.
"Right," Harry murmured, grinning to himself. "So these Snafflepops-"
"Snarklepops!"
"These Snarklepops listen in to people's conversation?" Harry asked.
"Yes, and they have a tendency to tell everyone too. So why did Malfoy throw the toilet seat at you?" Luna asked, her eyes growing big with intrigue.
What? "He didn't throw a toilet seat at me, Luna," Harry said unsurely.
"Yes he did! Snarklepops never lie!" Luna shouted.
"Whatever," Harry mumbled, mentally kicking himself for listening to Luna. However, there was still the niggling fact that she had known they had been in the bathroom together, though.
When Ron and Hermione popped their heads around the corner, Harry remembered prefects had to go on duty sometimes, but they could return to normal carriages whenever they wanted. Mentally wishing that Malfoy had disappeared and that Crabbe and Goyle were asleep, Harry made his excuses and dodged past Ron and Hermione, heading back to the other carriage containing his luggage. Opening the door slowly, Harry gasped in shock. Malfoy was by himself, and he was sleeping.
He looked so beautiful. His hair, still the same length from his early school years, had fallen forward over his face. He looked so vulnerable when he slept, as there were no unkind sneers or steely grey eyes boring into Harry. Taking a seat opposite, Harry continued to gaze in awe at Malfoy. Occasionally, he would mutter in his sleep, then smile briefly. It was a genuine smile, one Harry had never seen from Malfoy before. This smile didn't boast about unfair conquests or evil laughter from name-calling, this was the smile of someone who was in love. As Harry leaned in closer, Malfoy's eyes snapped open and he pushed Harry away forcefully.
"What do you want, Potter?" Malfoy groaned.
"I came here to get my stuff," Harry said matter-of-factly.
"Well get it then fuck off again," Malfoy said sleepily. "I don't want you in here."
Harry felt something inside him snap. "Malfoy, what is with you? Why do you keep on changing your stance with me? What is going on?" Harry scowled.
"Potter, you wouldn't understand. When I needed you, I needed you. Now I don't need you, I see no point in being your friend," Malfoy explained. "You were merely a plaything."
"Oh," Harry muttered. He couldn't say anything else.
"Is ickle Harry Potter upset at what the big bad Malfoy just told him?" Malfoy laughed, all traces of the beautiful smile gone from his lips.
Harry, although he could feel a lump in his throat, glared at Malfoy and was about to leave when Ron and Hermione appeared, looking confused.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"NOTHING!" Harry exploded.
"Hello you two," Malfoy grinned maliciously, "Your hero is a bit upset, I see. Better go kiss him better."
Harry stomped off, Ron and Hermione in his wake. Even though he was well away from Malfoy now, he could still hear his cruel laughter echoing around his ears. So Malfoy only pretended to fancy him to get something out of Harry? Or maybe Malfoy didn't want to admit he might be gay just yet, so he was acting defensively to ward off any potential lovers? Harry thought up many little explanations for Malfoy's behaviour, each one more extravagant than the rest. Ron and Hermione sat silently, watching Harry fume silently. After ten minutes, Harry hadn't spoke to either of them. Hermione grew bored of sitting around, and stood up, tugging Ron's robes suggestively.
"Well Harry, we'll leave you to change into your robes... we have to get ready to open up the carriage doors for everyone, don't we Ron?" Hermione nudged him.
"Yeah, that's right," Ron mumbled, getting up slowly. "See you soon, Harry."
Harry clambered into a thestral-drawn black carriage with Ron, Hermione, Luna and Ginny. Despite the chain of recent events, Harry smiled widely when Hogwarts trundled into view. Hermione and Ginny had trouble stifling their giggles as Luna twittered on about Snarklepops, while Ron continued to roll his eyes.
As they shuffled into the Great Hall, it became very obvious that Dumbledore was missing. After much shouting over the suspicious whisperings from students, Professor McGonagall called for silence.
"Professor Dumbledore is away on business," she said firmly. "Rest assured, your headmaster will be back tomorrow. Now, let us begin the Sorting."
After the Sorting had finished and the food had appeared, Harry began to tuck in, oblivious to the dubious chatter that surrounded him. Ron also ignored everyone, staring at someone from a table behind Harry.
"I never knew Malfoy was going out with Pansy," he muttered quietly.
Harry swung around so suddenly that his goblet toppled and fell onto the table, pumpkin juice steadily spreading across the white tablecloth slowly. There he was... kissing Pansy's hand, his eyes locked with Harry's. Usually Harry would have been disgusted, along with Ron, but all he felt was his heart slowly ripping in two. When Pansy giggled and pulled her hand away, Malfoy smirked at Harry and proceeded to eat, but was always sure to pay close attention to Pansy whenever Harry turned around jealously.
"Dumbledore is probably working on a task for the Order," Hermione concluded, following Harry and Ron as they made their way up the marble staircase. "Are you two okay?"
"We saw Pansy and Malfoy get cosy. So cosy that they put me off my food. It was disgusting. Wasn't it, Harry?" Ron said, elbowing Harry in the ribs.
"Yeah... disgusting," Harry said sadly.
"Well from what I heard, he fancies someone else too," Hermione shrugged. "I don't know who it could be. I mean, they deserve each other, they're so worthless."
Harry chose not to argue with this - he was too tired. It took them little time to reach the Fat Lady, where Hermione mumbled the new password and they all stepped inside. The room glowed warmly, with the red and gold colours of Gryffindor draped across armchairs and other pieces of furniture. Harry marched slowly up to the boy's dormitory, flung open his bed curtains and collapsed onto his bed. It had been a long and agonizing day, and all he wanted to do was sleep for the next couple of days and forget everything that had happened.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ron asked quietly, stepping into the room.
"Nothing," Harry snapped. "Just go away, I need some sleep."
Ron raised his eyebrows quizzically, shrugged helplessly and headed back down to the common room. Harry pulled his curtains shut and lay there, staring at the ceiling. Gradually, his roommates stumbled inside and got into bed.
"Harry? Are you still awake?" Ron whispered.
When Ron got no answer, Harry heard him climb into his bed and everything was silent. Harry was beginning to drift off to sleep when he heard Ron and Neville whisper softly. Sitting up slowly, he desperately tried to overhear the conversation.
"- He seemed upset when Malfoy was with Pansy. I think this is all about Malfoy dating someone before him," Ron murmured.
"Yeah. It's strange though - Harry is The Boy Who Lived - you'd think he would have plenty of girls to choose from!" Neville muttered.
"I don't think that's the case," Ron said shakily. "There's definitely something wrong with Harry, especially concerning Malfoy."
Harry was relieved to hear that Neville didn't understand Ron, but was concerned at Ron's conjecture. When neither of the other two boys spoke again, Harry curled up on his bed and finally got some rest.
"Morbig 'Arry," Ron mumbled, chewing on his toast thoughtfully.
"Ron, don't be so disgusting," Hermione sighed, edging away from him. "Harry, it's nearly ten o' clock! Are you just arriving?"
"No, I should be here in about an hour," Harry said sarcastically.
He sat down and grabbed a blueberry muffin, gnawing ferociously. Hermione passed him his timetable, obviously not speaking to him. Harry didn't care. Ron burbled on about how great the food was and how annoying it was to have double Potions first thing on a Monday. Every so often Harry would glance over to where Malfoy sat, only to see Malfoy stare back at him. Just before Harry would turn away, Malfoy would grab Pansy and either kiss her cheek or grab her hand. Either way, Harry felt sick to the stomach with jealousy. His envious mood increased when they all arrived at the Potions corridor to see Pansy pinned against the wall by Malfoy, while they kissed and groped each other. On seeing Harry's distraught face (and Ron's paled face) Hermione hissed at Malfoy to 'put it away'.
"Fuck off, mudblood," Malfoy snarled, breaking away from Pansy.
Ron growled and leapt onto Malfoy, ripping his robes at an attempt to hurt him hard as he flailed his arms about wildly, hitting people surrounding them as well as Malfoy, who was more accurate and succeeded in hitting Ron's jaw and nose a couple of times. Harry stood still, wondering whether to jump in and help or to just let it happen. Hermione whimpered, trying to curse them apart, shooting furtive glances at Harry, who remained standing still. All the Slytherins cheered on Malfoy and started to fight people as well. The Gryffindors, who had been busy egging on Ron, did not see the surge of oncoming green, silver and black but acted fast and soon enough there was a very large brawl in motion. Pansy and Hermione were pulling at each other's hair, screaming names at each other. It was amazing to see that none of them had remembered they could use their wands and that they preferred to make each other bleed and bruise. Harry had ducked behind a tapestry when it began, so no one was fighting him at the time. He used this to his advantage when he let out a loud and bloodcurdling scream, hoping that everyone would stop. Malfoy rose slowly and a deadly hush commenced, the odd pant or groan emitting from someone who was battered and sore.
"What was that for?" Malfoy scorned.
"I wanted to stop everyone," Harry murmured, looking around. "I see it worked."
"You're a wimp, Potter. Always one to be the hero, aren't you? Well you couldn't save one person, could you?..." Malfoy paused, awaiting Harry's reaction.
"What are you talking about?" Harry muttered in confusion. At this point in time, he couldn't remember much apart from his time with Malfoy and the fight.
"The stars are brilliant, aren't they?" Malfoy continued, pacing everyone slowly. "My favourite one has to be the dog star though. Do you know what the dog star is?"
"No."
"The dog star, Potter, is Sirius. Sirius, your pathetic godfather. Sirius, the one you let go, the one who died because of YOU!" Malfoy spat, a look of triumph on his face.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?" Harry screamed. Those were the things he had kept secret all these years, and now Malfoy stood there, scorning him and the memories that were now imprinted in his head. He saw Sirius fall behind the veil, and even though no one blamed Harry, it was obvious that it was Harry's fault he had gone. Harry looked at Malfoy angrily, awaiting an explanation.
"I have connections, Potter. Important people in high places-"
Harry didn't let Malfoy finish his sentence as he sprung onto him and pinned him to the ground roughly. Nearly six years of hatred that Harry was sure had started to melt away came flooding right back and he thudded Malfoy with all the strength he could muster, breaking his nose and bruising his pale face quicker than Ron had done. While Harry had begun to strangle Malfoy murderously, screaming at the top of his voice, Snape flew around the corner, halfway through apologizing his absence when he saw the commotion and turned very pale indeed.
"Potter," he whispered menacingly, "What are you DOING?"
Harry stopped dead in his tracks and looked up, now very aware of what he had done. He crept off Malfoy and stood up, everyone else watching closely as they desperately tried to clean up their injuries. Malfoy didn't move or groan, he was unconscious, and, for a brief moment, didn't breathe.
"I - we - he started it!" Harry yelled pathetically.
"Indeed. Fifty points from Gryffindor, Potter," Snape whispered menacingly. He looked around, a strange smirk forming on his face. "I see everyone else decided to copy their hero, how quaint. A further twenty points from Gryffindor. Such bad examples you set your peers, Harry."
"It takes two to fight," Harry said bravely. "The Slytherins fought too."
"Very well. Twenty points off Slytherin, and I am disappointed in all of you. Everyone, get inside the classroom and turn to page twenty three. Read up on the potion you are about to brew, I shall be with you in a few minutes time. Potter, come with me. We shall be seeing the Headmaster about this," Snape said, hexing Malfoy so he drifted off towards the stairs slowly.
Harry sat next to Snape, feeling very ashamed. Professor Dumbledore, who was back at last, peered at Harry sorrowfully. He had gone too far this time.
"You nearly killed Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said in a grave voice. "I've stuck up for you many times before, because I knew I needed to. However, today is an exception. Explain."
"He insulted Sirius. He... he blamed me for his death," Harry muttered.
"Harry, I know these are hard times for you. I know that people will be talking about you, and that certain people, such as Mr. Malfoy, will want to taunt you for events that have passed. I know this may be difficult, but I want you to ignore them. Ignore everyone that starts to talk about anything other than school. Could you do that for me?" Dumbledore asked.
"I don't know," Harry replied awkwardly. "It'll be hard to ignore people whispering and stuff... although I've done it before, this is different."
"What about Malfoy?" Snape interrupted.
"Yes, I'm coming to that, Severus," Dumbledore replied calmly, turning to Harry. "We must always try to stop young witches and wizards becoming Death Eaters, Harry, so I think you should overcome this barrier between you and Mr. Malfoy, for everyone's sake. As far as my knowledge goes, I know that Mr. Malfoy has his own sleeping quarters in the dungeons. I could arrange it so that you could stay there too. Now, as a big fan of muggle sweets, I also visited my muggle cousin once. He had something called a television, and on it was a 'reality' show. It contained a handful of people who were confined in a house for a long period of time, and muggles found it entertaining to watch their lives in this house. Now, I do not wish to do this for my entertainment, but I think you and Mr. Malfoy should do the same."
"I think it would be wise to disband them of their wands," Snape suggested curtly.
"I don't want to do this," Harry started. "I don't want to be away from other people, from my lessons... I don't want to be with him."
"I'm sorry Harry, but everything else I have tried has failed miserably. Yourself and Mr. Malfoy continue to have detentions and points deducted, but to no avail. I would like to give this one try," Dumbledore said firmly, making it obvious there was no point arguing.
"But," Harry said hopelessly, "you saw how vicious I was without my wand. What's to stop me doing that again?"
"Expulsion from Hogwarts," Dumbledore said instantly, a familiar twinkle in his eye. "I know you won't do it again though. Please have faith in me, Harry."
Harry thought about this. Maybe, if it did work, Malfoy would be friendlier towards him, meaning a few other Slytherins might do the same. There was also the point of being alone with Malfoy all the time. No Pansy to kiss, no Ron to start fights with... just Malfoy and himself. Maybe they could overcome their personal problems as well as stopping Malfoy from his father's fate. Maybe this time, Malfoy would offer Harry something he couldn't refuse and couldn't screw up. Maybe Dumbledore would curse Malfoy so that he couldn't insult Harry and make him unhappy. It was worth a shot.
"There is one thing, Professor," Harry said sheepishly, his old feelings for Malfoy brewing up in his heart.
"Yes, Harry?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.
"Will we be sharing a bed?"