Well finally, chapter 13 is out. I'm sorry about the delay. I had such a major writers block that even this chapter is bad! I really tried though and I would appreciate if you could review it.
A small snog session in here, but not between Harry and Draco. That will be soon, I promise.
Here we are then.
I do not own Harry Potter. It is not mine! No siree! I just own this story and the plot it is following. (There is a plot, I promise.)
DARKNESS OR LIGHT. WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?
What Is Going On In Harry's Mind?
There was definitely something wrong with Harry. She could see it.
Hermione was a very smart and gifted witch. Everyone commented on how good she was at logic and problem solving. She had always excelled at studying and she was obsessed with getting good grades.
Hermione did have one failing. Her apparent lack of common sense!
It was something she had been told since she was a little girl. Smart, people had said, but slow on the uptake. This was probably why she hadn't seen things happening right in front of her.
Blaise.
She had always known that he was gay. He flirted outrageously with guys from all of the houses and he seemed quite friendly with everyone but herself. At first she thought he was joining Malfoy in his 'Mudblood' degradation but she had realised she was wrong when, in Defence Against the Dark Arts, (the new teacher, Miss Senata was a quiet witch who usually had them copying out of textbooks) she had overheard him muttering to Parkinson.
"Why does he have to be going out with Granger? Oh I want him so much."
"He told you that he didn't swing that way Blaise." Pansy had replied.
"Yeah well," Blaise whispered "a few moments left alone with me would change that."
Hermione had sat on her chair and gagged after that exchange. She had been horrified at first and then angry. How dare he plot against her. Since then, she had been wondering how many others were trying to do the exact same thing. Her list had been narrowed down to Blaise, Parvati, Ginny and Cho. Parkinson had been on the list but had been crossed off when she had started dating Ron. What he actually saw in her way anyone's guess but it was his life. As he was so occupied with Parkinson, he seemed not to notice Harry's problem and continued smiling and joking.
Back to the list, there was one name that she had deeply considered putting on. That name, was Draco Malfoy.
Now Hermione wasn't blind, nor was she stupid and she had noticed recently all of the looks being sent her way. Nasty, malevolent looks which made her cringe. She had and would never get along with Malfoy, even if Harry and Ron had buried the hatchet. She had no clue why Ron had gone from hating him to being chummy with him. He wouldn't tell her what had happened to cause this unusual bit of friendship and was actually avoiding her, instead spending his time with Blaise and Draco.
How in the Hell had Malfoy wiggled into their good graces? Hermione wasn't sure but what she did know was that Harry and Ron had forgiven him for his past offences, shocking most of the school. After a while though, no one really cared. Even the Slytherins were okay with it.
She wasn't!
Malfoy was like an itch she couldn't reach to scratch. A constant bother to her and her relationship with Harry. In the last few days, he had always seemed to be where Harry and herself were, whether it was the library of the school grounds. He was always watching Harry. Not with a sneer or a frown, but with an intense questioning look that she couldn't quite unravel. Harry had responded to this look by becoming a close friend to him, defending him when a problem arose.
She remembered how Harry had come running after her after she had slapped Malfoy across the face and then left the Care Of Magical Creatures Class. She had been expecting a kind word from him and a question about how she was feeling. What she had received was an annoyed look and a scolding.
"Why did you start on him 'Mione? I cant believe you would do that, right in the middle of class."
Hermione stared at him in shock.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked in outrage. "I was defending myself from him."
"Against what?" Harry's voice went cold. "He was only teasing you like he does to everyone. Why did you blow up at him for something so minor?"
"He was accusing me of trying to kill the Kneazle," she raised her voice a few octaves, unbelieving that Harry was taking Malfoy's side instead of her own. "What was I supposed to reply Harry? Yes I am! Fancy a game of volleyball?"
"You could have hurt it Hermione." Harry had not raised his voice and was staring at her intensely. "You threw it straight up. If Malfoy hadn't caught it, it would most probably have died on impact with the ground."
"Well it bit me. It was a reflex action."
"What about the slap that you gave Malfoy? Harry's eyes hardened. Was that a reflex action as well?"
"Harry, "Hermione couldn't believe she had to defend herself from Harry's questions. "he called me, in so many words, a slut!" She grimaced even as she said the word. "I was angry."
"You insulted his parents. I kind of understand the retaliation."
"Why are you on his side?" Hermione could feel the tears building up in her eyes. "Why? Is he a better friend than me? Do you care more about him than me?"
"Now you're being stupid." Harry placed his hands on Hermione's shoulders and looked her in the eye. "You are my girlfriend. I care about you much more than I care about him."
At that time, Hermione was inclined to believe him, needing the comfort. Now, looking back she could see that he had actually been very distant. Just recently something else had been haunting him. It flickered in his eyes every now and then, especially while Malfoy was around.
"Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall stuck her head out of her classroom door and beckoned to the girl sitting on a chair in the corridor. "I will see you now."
Hermione smiled at her head of house and nodded, her thoughts headed back to Harry as she walked into the classroom. She fingered the green snake necklace under her robes. She was itching to try it out on Harry, to prove that they were meant to be together but every time she tried to bring it up in conversation, her mouth went dry and she couldn't speak. She loved Harry. She really did but she had doubts that he felt the same way about her. When he had agreed to a trial, she had thought he would begin to realise his feelings for her, but it had actually caused him to be more wary of her.
She reached the desk in the small room with a sigh, focusing on the reason for being there.
"Sit down Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall gestured to the chair in front of her desk.
Hermione sat in the chair, facing the Professor, thoughts of Harry leaving her mind for the moment.
Something was going on, Blaise thought to himself. Everyone around him was acting strangely lately. Pansy had taken to smiling a lot and was actually happy. Draco was thoughtful, his expressions flicking from painful to lustful obviously thinking about someone. Ron was being conniving, a suspicious smirk always seemed to adorn his face whenever in the company of Harry and Draco. Harry....... Well, Harry was upset about something. It was eating away at him, Blaise could see it.
Sitting at the Slytherin table at dinnertime, he watched as a very shaky Harry walked into the Great Hall and sit at his table, throwing a few random things onto his plate. After nibbling on a few items, he pushed his plate away and brought a cup of tea to his lips. He was by himself. Neither his girlfriend or Ron was with him.
He had asked Harry once, what was his fascination with tea drinking (hot, strong, no sugar) and how did he persuade Dumbledore to let him while all the other students were stuck with pumpkin juice. Harry had told him that one of the house elves made it for him and Dumbledore didn't care what he drank.
Blaise actually spent a lot of time watching Harry and all of those he interacted with. Hermione Granger being the prime one. The girlfriend of the Boy Who Lived was well known as probably the most smartest student in the school, Draco being a close second. She was a nice enough girl. Friendly and helpful, but she was also a little bit annoying, often flaunting her intelligence in classes making other students feel slightly stupid. Blaise didn't like her!
He wanted Harry! He found it slightly unfair that the same day that he had confessed his feelings to Harry, he began dating Granger. He had even said that he didn't like her in that way and that she was just a friend. Blaise didn't know what was going on in Harry's head but after observing him for a few weeks he could see the cracks!
Harry was not one for affection. The numerous times that they had been studying together or just plain hanging out, Granger made it her business to lounge all over Harry. In one of those 'blink and you'll miss it' moments, Harry had flinched and grimaced. All was not well in Wonderland and Blaise intended to do something about it.
As he watched, Harry continued to stare into his teacup, not noticing when Ron and Pansy walked up behind him. Blaise thought they made a cute couple but still loved to tease Pansy while the three of them were together, by pretending to make passes at Ron. Pansy became steamed at these moments but Ron found it highly amusing. Looking at their faces at that moment, he saw looks of apprehension.
"What is going on?" he mumbled to himself. Ron reached out and touched Harry on the shoulder, making him practically throw his tea across the table. (The tea flew but the cup stayed clenched in his grip.) The raining liquid hit a few first years, who squeaked in shock at the unexpected brown downpour. Harry turned to Ron and Pansy, a red sheen covering his face. Harry really looked upset about something.
"Hey Blaise," a quiet voice came from beside him. "What are you staring at?"
Blaise turned in his seat to see Draco easing onto the bench next to him.
"Hiya mate. What's up?" Blaise stared at him closely. "Whoa. You look like hell!" It was the truth. Draco had red eyes, windblown hair and he was slumped in his seat dejectedly. Even so, his robes were immaculate.
"Yeah, I know," Draco sighed. "Who were you staring at?"
"Harry. He looks nearly as ruffled as you do!"
Blaise jumped as Draco stood up fast, staring in the direction of the Gryffindor table. He looked over and watched Harry turn from Ron, to looking in their direction, then get up and walk very fast out of the Great Hall, pushing Ron and Pansy out of his way as he passed. He was becoming very curious about Draco and Harry's behaviour.
"Sit down Draco." Blaise grabbed his arm. "You look like an idiot, standing there with you mouth open." He pulled him down and stared at the wide eyed boy beside him "For God's sake, eat something. You look famished."
"Famished." Draco stared down at the table. "That's a good way of describing what I'm feeling right about now. He grabbed a bread roll and began buttering it. "Just not for food!"
"Not for food?" Blaise echoed questioningly. After staring at Draco for a few moments and not receiving any answer, he stood up, determined to find Harry. "Excuse me Draco."
Blaise left the table and exited the Great Hall, eyes flickering over all the nooks and cranny's while walking down the main corridor towards the entrance hall. Upon reaching it, he spotted Harry leaning on the doorframe of the open front doors. He was staring out over the darkening grounds, a apprehensive look on his face. Blaise paused for a moment, studying the boy in front of him. Harry was wearing his school robes, totally done up from hem to collar. His black hair curled over said collar and his emerald green eyes were bright behind wide framed black glasses. He was small, slight. Probably the smallest student in Fifth year but that didn't matter. Harry had a very large presence.
Blaise really wanted him.
"Harry," he said tensely, stepping closer to the boy in the doorway. "Are you okay?"
Harry didn't answer him. He just sighed and stared down at his shoes.
"Harry?"
"I'm fine Blaise, Harry interjected, raising his head and staring at the tall Slytherin standing next to him. "I'm just tired."
"You don't look tired," Blaise observed. "You look anxious. Come on, tell me. What's wrong?"
Harry sighed and shook his head. "I'm really okay Blaise." He turned himself so he was leaning against the wall, facing Blaise and he pushed the front door closed with his foot.
"Where's Granger?" Blaise asked suddenly. A plan was forming in his mind but he needed a few moments before he could act on it. Harry stared at him questioningly.
"She's in a meeting with Professor McGonagall, talking about extra credit." Harry smiled faintly and removed his gaze so he was looking at the door. "But why did you want to know that?"
'Now!' Blaise said firmly in his mind. He rushed forward, grabbed Harry's wrists and pushed them onto the wall above his head. Before Harry could utter a word, Blaise's lips were on his.
Harry responded to his kiss with more enthusiasm than he expected. Blaise let go of one of Harry's hands and circled his waist while gently running his tongue over Harry's bottom lip. Harry opened his mouth, allowing him access, placing one hand on his shoulder. He smelt of the outdoors! Fresh rainwater and gentle breezes. He also tasted sweet, like caramel or chocolate. Blaise was just getting into it when Harry squeezed his shoulder hard, making him back away slightly, removing his lips from Harry's.
"Didn't you like it?" Blaise panted, still holding onto Harry tightly, not wanting to let go. Harry looked a little wild eyed, but was very firm when he shook his head.
"I'm sorry Blaise, but I already told you that I didn't like you in that way." Harry tried to wriggle out of Blaise's grip but the taller boy was having none of it. "Please let me go." Blaise still held his hand against the wall by his head and the other was still wrapped around his waist.
"Not until I get some answers," Blaise growled. The kiss had been addictive. Harry had been enjoying it, that was obvious but was now denying it. "You liked that kiss Harry. You joined in, so why are you pretending you didn't?"
"I'm not." Harry slumped against him, ceasing his struggles. "I was doing what someone told me to do, testing a theory." Harry looked straight into Blaise's eyes and Blaise couldn't remove his gaze from the emerald orbs in front of him.
"Theory?"
"On whether I like to kiss boys."
"And what have you found out?" Blaise asked, confused. 'Testing a theory sounded like something he would have said, but he never said that to Harry. He would have remembered.
"I discovered that I am not Gay. Being kissed by two guys has proved that fact to me. I don't like guys in that way."
Blaise continued to stare at the boy in front of him. Who was it that Harry was talking about? Which other guy had gotten away with kissing Harry while he was going out with Granger? He would have shrugged and let it go, if it wasn't for Harry's expression at that moment. He looked unsure, even after his adamant statement about not liking guys. Another member of the male populace of Hogwarts had scored a point with Harry, even though said boy was in denial mode. He was very disappointed about this to say the least. He wanted Harry, but Harry didn't want him.
Sometimes, life could be a right bitch!
TBA
Chapter complete. I'm going to try and update the next chap ASAP. I'm annoyed with myself over this one. It's too short and there is no Harry/Draco. I'm going to make up for it though. Next chapter is Halloween!
Please review this and tell me what you would like to see happen next. I'm open to suggestions
Love
Rie
xx