Title: Unknown

Author: Ashley (Nov.02)

Rating: R...to be safe

Pairing: Ron/Draco

Feedback: I'd love me some of it!

Summary: Ron has changed. Draco hasn't. Ron is scared. Draco isn't. Ron has a secret worth telling. Draco wants to know. Ron wants to learn to live again and Draco's willing to teach.

Spoilers: None...I guess...

Distribution: Ask and you shall receive!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter or HP related. pout

Notes: Thanks as always to the lovely Sarah! Sorry guys for the lateness. I had an impromptu vacation.

Chapter Eight

It was morning. A new day with bright blues and sunlight yellows streaming into the Hospital Wing. The clichéd new start, new beginning had worn thin on the two occupants. Ron was staring out of the window in his room while Draco continued the game from last night.

After both were given time to sink into their new realities, either enemy yearned for the past. It was clear they could not be foes yet friendship was forgone. Ron and Draco were curious as to making the next move. The redhead was regretting his decision to tell. There was so much attention on him now. It was only time that separated him from his next encounter with his tormentor. He would find out that he told what had happened to him.

Draco was disgusted with himself because he, much to the elated joy of the Lucius side of himself, wanted Weasley even more. He was so child-like and unaware. He was weak and that, much to his own personal chagrin, turned him on. He could imagine himself kissing and ravaging the redhead. He could imagine the other wizard succumbing or fighting or letting it happen. Whichever scenario he imagined, he always felt uneasy.

With both former enemies sitting in a room, together, a secret shared first between them, they had no idea how to act. Instinct told them to sneer, growl, punch but present circumstances forced them to try and be civil.

Civility equals tense silence.

Ron's breathing hitched. He heaved as his old reactions bubbled in his chest and stomach. Anger was the only other emotion he understood and he was willing to let the former actions out; it meant less that he had to deal with.

"I can't take this any longer. Speak or I may as well get started on the work that was brought to me." He got up and straightened his button-up shirt. "I have loads, no thanks to you." He added under his breath.

"Malfoy!" growled Ron. "I knew I shouldn't have talked to you." He meant to sound enraged but his weak voice was still trying to get back to its normal shape.

Draco was flabbergasted. "Excuse me! If you didn't, you wouldn't be able to finally receive the treatment you deserve to get better."

"What if I don't want to get better?"

"Then you're a bigger idiot than I thought you were."

"I wish you had permanent memory problems."

"I do too. I wish I never could recall the old Weasley and I certainly wish that I could forget this pale comparison. You are pathetic. I thought you were some semi-brave person. I guess you'll always be in Potter's shadow. Good day." He stormed out.

Ron didn't flinch, didn't blink in response. He wished Hermione and Harry were here. He wished he had some of the bravery he used to own when battling evil with his friends. Why weren't they here...?

Just outside, in the Hospital Wing, his two best friends were flustered.

"We need to see Ron. We haven't been allowed in weeks." Begged Hermione.

"I'm sorry. He has a visitor right now."

Harry ruffled his already untidy hair. "Does that really matter?"

"We know we had to ask Professor McGonagall for permission to see Ron. She kept telling us to hold on." Hermione piped.

"We decided to go above her and speak directly to Professor Dumbledore. He finally, after a week of us pestering him, allowed us to see Ron. Now, you're telling us we can't go in there? We've been through interrogations as to our motives to seeing. We've been dismissed, told to focus on our N.E.W.T.s. I haven't a care for those right now. All this questioning and blockades lead us to believe that something worse has happened to him." Harry was steamed. All he had wanted to do for weeks now was to visit his best friend and no one allowed him to.

Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder in support.

"You've waited this long, a few more minutes won't be a death sentence. Now Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, you will either come back later or you will wait." Poppy tried to stall. She knew that those two probably had no clue about Ron and Draco's relationship. Why would they tell them? Harry and Hermione hated Malfoy.

Harry blistered. He could feel the color rising in his face.

"We'll wait." Hermione smiled politely. She steered Harry around the Healer. Once they were able to see the Wing as a whole, minus the body of Pomfrey trying to block their vision, the two Gryffindors saw Malfoy stride away from a peculiar section.

Harry knew that Ron was cooped up in some specialized room. And seeing that blonde git walk out of an off-to-the-side hallway made something in Harry's mind click.

"Malfoy," he stormed towards the startled blonde, "what the bloody hell are you doing?"

Draco, composure frigid, glared at the two visitors. "Scarhead...Mudblood. What brings you here?"

"Why were you in Ron's room?" Harry stood nose-to-nose with Malfoy.

"That's none of your business."

Hermione turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Why was he in there? Those two are toxic when they near the other. Isn't he the reason why Ron's in here?"

"No, dear. It was the Headmaster's idea to allow visitation between the two."

Harry never took his glare off of Draco. "Why would he do that?"

"Like I said earlier, Potter. That's none of your business." Draco sat down on the bed nearest him. "But if you really need to know, go talk to your loser friend. He'll be willing to tell."

He hoped that he would tell those two as easily as he told him. Draco wanted Weasley's friends to know so they could be his support system and Draco could leave without a guilty conscience.

He was leaving in a few days. Pomfrey believed that some walking around and assimilation back into the school would get rid of his faltering gait. If those two knew, this burden could be lifted from his shoulders and he could go back to his normal life.

"What did you do?" Harry threatened.

"Nothing. Go ahead. I'm through with him."

Hermione went to Harry's side, glared at Draco and pulled Harry with her. They then followed Madam Pomfrey down the hallway that led to where Ron was waiting for a savior.

Draco hated Potter to no avail. He was a reminder of what Draco had lost. The previous year the few true friends he had were killed or falsely imprisoned in Azkaban to preserve their parents' status with the Dark Lord.

He didn't want to think about that.

He wanted out of this place. He wanted away from Ron. He was thinking about him too much. He was worrying about his well being too much. Malfoy was starting to care about what Weasley was thinking. The fight they just had was his former self, trying to protect himself from falling for Weasley and keeping Weasley from falling for him.

But being with Weasley wasn't such a bad thing. He smiled at the idea. Could that even happen? He knew that there was no way Weasley would accept him sexually. That was out of the question. A new fantasy was emerging though. He didn't want it. It felt dirty somehow.

Then again, the rarely seen romantic aspect of Draco thought it could be beautiful if Ron would accept. It would be tender and a complete counter to what that maniac did to him. It could be rather moving...

If only Draco could swallow his pride. He could help...himself and most importantly Ron.

Nov.02: Back from Richmond and it has been decided by my cousin to continue with my muses.

Ron: happy dances

Draco: Why do I like him so much?

Ron: Because I can do this! Does unspeakable, lewd acts that even make Nov.02 blush

Draco: Ooohhh, yeah....

Nov.02: My muses are twisted. That's why I love them! Huggles

Ron: fixes clothes That rhymes with muggles.

Draco: rolls eyes So simple. Anyway, thank you UniquePiksi Everyone wishes they could have me but that isn't possible. I hope you don't mind if I send the baked goods to Ron and Nov...I'm watching my figure.

Thanks Angel Reid You, my dear, are very confusing.

I appreciate your review viu And in response, I love you. Finally someone who wants me to be me! Glares toward Nov.02

Nov.02: You better un-glare. Good to see you like-y viu! Just don't fall over. And it's not Remus! I love him too much.

Ron: I don't mind hugs anymore. This hasn't happened for almost six months. Nov.02 started this a LONG time ago! And you! Why didn't you acknowledge her and her wish for you to treat me better?

Draco: Simmer down, lover. I cordially accept your review StrangeMi I understand about the hurricane. It was horrible last year for Nov when Isabel hit. She missed a week of skewl.

Ron: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Why are you sounding so...Malfoy. Just say thank you. I'm taking over. Sheesh. Thanks I-freddy-luvsDraco It is gross, once you know who the person is. I hate him. Everyone does. She should give more clues though.

Nov.02: Now you see here! I would love to give more clues but if I do, everyone will knowing automatically. But don't worry, some chapters to come give really good hints!

Ron: Moving on...thnx Sucker4RedHeads Nov.02 loves the redheads as well! I love me and my family too! Draco loves redheads.

Draco: mutters Yeah, your upper and lower.

Ron: You sick prat. Thanks mydracomalfoy I love you too! But he's mine!

Thank you siw-wa Everyone seems to love this chapter. Glad to hear you're one of them. I secretly like this one too!

ThNx dataport We will...don't worry...we will. Hehehehehe.

Thanks a bunches Sabishisa This story is getting better and better. I hope everyone can handle the rapist's identity.

Thanks I Heart DM 11 How are you doing chick? We're all happy you like this!

Thank you Aloh Dark Hope you had fun! Kewl to hear you're driving. Now, come on down and visit us!

Thankie Spankie sammy-mackie Happy to hear that you can't wait.

Thanks anon Well, here it is! An update! Hope it's worth it!

Draco: You are so boring.

Ron: Shut it, Malfoy or no more unspeakable, lewd acts that make Nov.02 blush!

Draco: I'm quiet now.

Ron: Good. LoL...I love him, unfortunately. Anywho...thanks Birdy I love cookies! Draco is so sweet. He tries to be good but we all know he's Slytherin all the way.

Thank you PeachyKay She's still thinking about everything. Send her your e-mail and she'll send back!

ThnX becca I warmed up to him. Cuddles up to Draco He loves me so much.

Draco: Begrudgingly I do.

Ron: LoL...thanks Kohako Yes, please keep it a secret. And if who you're thinking about is right then...isn't it bad?

Thank you lmichelle1 My tormentor used to be trusted but he screwed up and now...well, no one trusts him.

tHnX ziona2000 Yes, he is a "family friend". I'm happy Draco found me and helped me.

Draco: Me too, Weasel. Kisses Ron's forehead Only sappy thing I'll do in public.

Ron: I have him wrapped around my finger! Anyways Thanks Draco's Worst Nightmare Everyone's pissed. Nov.02 is working on it. That's why she's hiding upstairs!

Nov.02: yells from stairwell THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HIDING! I just like upstairs.

Draco: It's hot up there. Loser.

Nov.02: I hate you too, Draco!

Ron: Children...children. But I think I like the tight suits idea. Hmm...back to what I was doing. Thanks Magick-Silverfang25 SLASH IS THE GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!

Lastly, thanks ever so much Karla Marie I'm happy she has forced us to be more mature and to ourselves...if that makes sense. We're all happy to hear you think this is well written. She wanted to do better this time.

Nov.02: I'm back! Is everyone thank you-ed?

Draco: Yes, you Hufflepuff!

Nov.02: I hate you. I hope everyone liked this. Toddles!

Hugs&Kisses