Harry pulled on his pajamas, feeling a little guilty for the way he'd yelled at Ron. Why had blown up like that? It wasn't like he hadn't expected something like that to happen, though he hadn't expected for Ron to think Draco supported Voldemort because he was dating Harry. Not that it mattered. Draco didn't support Voldemort and anyone who said he did was nuts.
But that didn't mean Harry should all but tell Ron that they weren't friends anymore. After all, Ron had been his friend way before Draco had been his boyfriend. But Harry had really hoped that his friends' initial responses had meant that they were okay with him and Draco. He should have known better. He'd have to talk to Ron and apologize.
Later. There was no way he was going back down to the common room to apologize in front of everyone. Harry pulled the curtains shut around his bed and was asleep before anyone else came up to go to bed.
Harry woke up early the next morning. Instead of going back to sleep, he decided that it would probably be better if he could avoid changing at the same time as any of the other boys – at least until they were a little more comfortable with him dating Draco. So he got out of bed to shower and get dressed before they woke up. When he was finished, he sat down on his bed again. He pulled out Quidditch Through the Ages, muttering lumos so that he could read since the windows were still closed.
Ron was the last to wake up that morning. Harry had left after Dean had woken up so he could change without worrying about Harry watching. It irritated him that his friends no longer seemed comfortable being naked around him. He'd expected it, but it still bugged him. He was still the same person, wasn't he? It wasn't like he'd been checking them out before coming out to them. And he had a boyfriend, for god's sake. Why would he be looking at any of them when he had Draco to look at? Draco – who was much more attractive and who didn't mind at all, especially since he was Harry's boyfriend.
Scowling and frustrated, Harry descended the stairs to the common room. Hermione was already there. She was sitting on one of the couches, reading.
"You're up early," she commented when Harry sat down next to her.
"Mmmm…" Harry stared into the fireplace, hoping she'd take the hint. He really didn't want to talk to her – or anyone just then.
One by one the other students came down and left for breakfast, all trying not to look at Harry. He'd received less attention when everyone first figured out he was the Harry Potter.
When Ron finally came down, he refused to speak to Harry. The three of them walked down to lunch in silence. Harry had intended to apologize to Ron, but now Ron was being so hostile towards him that Harry decided against it. It Ron was going to be a prick, Harry wasn't going to stop him.
Draco was already at breakfast when Harry and his friends arrived. Harry took a seat facing the Slytherin table as usual, smiling briefly at Draco who smirked back at him.
But Harry had learned that Draco almost never really smiled in public and recognized that that smirk was as close as he was ever going to get to a warm smile of greeting. And to tell the truth, Draco just wouldn't be Draco without his smirk.
Harry barely noticed when the usual flurry of owls swarmed in through the opened window with the morning mail. After over two years at Hogwarts, they were simply part of the morning routine – like brushing your teeth. Nor did he really notice when Draco received a letter in addition to his usual sweets.
But when upon reading the letter, Draco went pale and abruptly left the table, walking quickly out of the Great Hall, Harry most certainly noticed. He dropped his fork, getting up to follow Draco. Ignoring his friends' confused questions, he followed Draco out of the Great Hall. Harry caught up to him on the stairs. Draco spun around, eyes burning with anger.
He gave a sort of strangled sob and pressed himself into Harry's arms. His lips found Harry's neck and Harry held him close as his lips roamed over Harry's throat and jaw and cheek, finally finding his mouth. The boy's shoulders shook with silent sobs as he kissed Harry fiercely – almost desperately.
He finally pulled back from Harry, his face cold and expressionless.
"What was in that letter?" Harry asked softly.
Draco stared at him for a long moment. "Apparently news spreads fast. My parents found out… about us."
"And? They don't approve?"
Draco gave a cold, sharp laugh. "Hardly. They're thrilled. They want to meet you at the earliest convenience. They've invited you to come stay at Malfoy Mannor for Christmas."
"So what's the problem?" Harry asked, now thoroughly confused.
"You wouldn't understand," Draco muttered, turning to leave.
Harry caught his arm. "Then explain it to me. I'm your boyfriend – that means you should be able to tell me what's got you upset."
Draco sighed. "Alright. Let's go sit down outside or something."
Mutely Harry followed him outside. Draco led him over to the lake, sitting down on the cold, damp grass. Harry sat down next to him, waiting in silence for Draco to explain why the letter had him so upset.
"Look Harry, my parents have no problem with me dating you. I never really thought they would. And they're wonderful people, they really are. But… they weren't exactly on the same side as you parents when You-Know-Who was still around…" Draco was staring intently at the grass, not looking at Harry.
"You mean they were Death Eaters?"
"Well… yeah. But… well, they really don't like the Weasleys."
"So?" Harry asked confused. What did the Weasleys have to do with any of this?
"Have you ever wondered how the Weasleys got to be so poor?"
Harry blinked at him. "Not really. I just figured they, you know, didn't have much money."
Draco shook his head. "They used to be rich. Maybe not as rich as the Malfoys, but close. Then… about 14 years ago… well, I don't really know the details, but… My parents had another son – my older brother. And then some of Dumbledor's supporters attacked Malfoy Manor. I'm not sure why – maybe there was a meeting of You-Know-Who's supporters or something like that. But in the middle of it… my brother was killed. By Arthur Weasley. He was 4 years old and Arthur Weasley murdered him.
"At first my parents tried to kill the Weasleys. But then they switched tactics and instead they ruined the Weasleys financially and publicly. It's taken them 14 years to regain even the little political power and money they now have and my mother still wants to murder all of them.
"I know – Ron – is your friend, but he's also a Weasley, and while my parents don't mind me dating you… they might have a problem with your friends. They might be able to forgive Granger for being a mudblood, but they'll never forgive any of the Weasleys."
Harry stared at him in shock. He couldn't believe that Mr. Weasley – the man who had opened his home to Harry and all but adopted him from the day they'd met – could have murdered any child. But Draco had no reason to lie to him. "So what does this have to do with my going to your house for Christmas?"
Draco sighed. "Just please try not to mention Ron, okay?"
"No. He's my friend, and he's been my friend a whole hell of a lot longer than you've been my boyfriend. So if you or your family has a problem with that, deal with it! Cause I'm not giving up my friends for you." With that Harry got up, all but running towards the castle, leaving Draco staring after him.
A/N: Siriuslupinlover: Actually, I was thinking of doing something more like a love triangle and maybe they all get jealous of each other, though I might be able to work some H/H into it too, but whatever... Anyways, thanks for reviewing :) Kashiaga: What parts were confusing? Hpfan: Thanks :P Stars-n-moons91: I'm sure I've read some RW/DM somewhere... Oh well - yeah, I'll try to write it when I get some time. And I think Ron and Harry got a headache listening to Hermione, too... Rachel: I dunno... maybe the demons hiding under my bed possessed me... I'll have to remember to thank them. Orange: Ron is jealous, because he feels like Harry's sacrificing their friendship for his boyfriend.