Chapter 4

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked into the Great Hall together. Harry's friends thought that he needed some support, and Harry was grateful because he needed them more than they knew. He sat down and started to twist his necklace as he drank some pumpkin juice.

"Harry, I've never noticed you wearing jewelry. ," Hermione said as she eyed him quizzically.

"Well, I don't really, but this is kind of special." That was all Harry said. He didn't think the middle of the Great hall was the right place to tell his friends about his newfound treasure and its purpose.

"Wow, it's neat," said Ron as he reached out to touch it.

As Ron's hand touched Harry's necklace, it was like time stopped. It seemed like Ron and Harry were alone together somewhere far away from Hogwarts.

"I really like Hermione," Ron started. Harry looked at him, was this what happened when the necklace made someone tell the truth?

"You know, Harry, I like her as more than a friend, I always thought that she liked you, but the other day, we were in the library, and she kissed me. Oh, it felt so good Harry, I don't think I've ever felt something like that before. She's so sweet to me, and I think we are going to start dating. Do you know that I haven't dated at Hogwarts at all, I used to think I was gay but now..."

Harry had heard enough. He reached out to Ron, and they both seemed to be sucked back into their seats on the bench. Harry looked up from the Necklace that was glowing now and he looked at Ron. It seemed as if Ron didn't even know that they had just gone somewhere.

"Ron, do you really like Hermione?"

Ron dropped his spoon that he was stirring his porridge with.

"Umm Harry...I, ugh, how do you know?" Ron looked at Hermione who was looking at Harry dumbfounded. Hermione knew that Harry was not observant enough to figure that out, no matter how good of friends they all were.

"Well, it's the Necklace, I can sort of – it can – I mean – make you tell the truth about things you have been keeping from me. I didn't know how to make it work until just now when Ron touched it."

Harry was starting to become more clear about the necklace and about his friends and why the divide between them was growing– they were in love.

"Mate, I wanted to tell you but we didn't know how you would take it." Ron seemed more nervous and redder than ever.

"Its ok. I think it's great you two are finally getting together." Harry really was happy for them. This explained a lot anyway.

"So Harry, where did you get this necklace anyway?" Hermione had already moved a step ahead as usual.

"It all started when..."

Draco looked across the hall and saw the three friends huddled together talking. He wondered what they were up to. Ever since Harry's personal life had gone south they all seemed to be as buddy buddy as ever. 'Just like them to pounce the minute we are apart' Draco's temper was beginning to rise, and it didn't help that Zabini was coming towards him.

Draco was not going to play with Zabini any longer. "What do you want now?"

"Well, , honestly, I want to finish what I started," Zabini said loudly. By now the whole school knew what happened that night, and Zabini loved the attention.

"Fuck off, Blaise," Draco hissed. But it didn't seem like Zabini cared.

"Well, really, I want to fuck YOU," Blaise cracked a sly smile.

Draco got up and left the table. Why wouldn't Zabini leave him alone! As Draco was striding out of the Great Hall, Harry spotted him.

"Umm, guys, I have to go and..." and he rushed up from the table and left the hall running after Draco.

He didn't catch up until they were in front of Draco's bedroom door. "What is it Potter." Draco spat his words out.

"Can we talk? Can I come in?" Harry tried to sound assertive but he didn't know if it was working.

"Hmmm, no and no," Draco smiled without humor.

"Come on, I don't have to deal with your bullshit, let me the fuck in! You owe me!" Harry was starting to get angry.

"All right, I guess so," Draco drawled and let Harry in.

"I need to talk to you!" Harry reached in his robes, and Draco smiled deviously.

"Aww Potter, let me close the door before you start to strip for me." And then he closed the door and laughed.

Harry growled, "Come here!" and surprisingly Draco came forward.

Harry pulled out the necklace and grabbed Draco's hand.

"What the..", but by then they were connected.

Harry was in the strange place with Draco. It was like being in a white room, but that had no walls– everything around them was white.

"Harry, I am so sorry, the only reason I let Blaise go down on me was because I was so horny. I know that sounds bad, but you didn't want me anymore. I felt so alone. You know how I felt when my father beat me, and I had no one, not even my mother to comfort me...I felt like you didn't even care. I know that wasn't true, but I just didn't know how to handle what you said to me. I love you Harry. I just don't know what I could do without you. We have been getting so close lately that I thought that maybe if I just let you go I wouldn't get hurt. I am so sorry, Harry, there is so much..."

They were back in Draco's room, and Harry found Draco starring at him in expectation. "So Potter, what is it?"

Harry started to cry. It seemed like he couldn't take this anymore. Why was everything so difficult? He pored out through sobs what Draco's truth self had told him, and then he looked up at Draco. Whose mouth was hanging wide open.

Draco bent down and kissed Harry all over his face. He kissed the tears that were running down Harry's cheeks.

"It was all true," Draco whispered in Harry's ear. Harry felt his heart uplift.

"Do you love me really?" Harry whispered back. He wanted to hear this from the real Draco...