December 5, 2004

Here we go with Chapter 2!! Let's hope that a plot starts to work itself out here….

Disclaimers: The only thing I own is the Jen (aka Liana). Take that, M. Ourson!!

(Er, sorry… inside joke.) But everybody must look Liana up on my fave authors page and beg her to post some stories. Don't tell her I told you this…

About Me and You

Chapter 2: Inside I'm Screaming.

Harry stormed into the Great Hall, wishing the huge wooden doors weren't quite so heavy and imposing so that he could slam one of them to vent his feelings. It had been the same thing again, ever since this year had begun. Ever since they'd been made prefects.

"Harry! Hiya Harry…"

"Fuck off, Colin." Harry snapped succinctly, taking a momentary guilty pleasure in watching the younger boy's face crumble into complete misery.

Only a moment, before he felt like a complete prick.

"Sorry," he muttered indistinctly, seeing the tears well up in Colin's eyes. The fifth year shrugged him off rudely, leaving Harry standing alone in the Hall.

Harry titled his head up, glaring at the ceiling – swirling with dark, ominous thunderclouds today, perfect for his mood. He hated the whisperings that filled the chamber, the smiling faces gathered around the tables.

They were all so damn happy, and not one of them knew what was really going on.

And now Ron….

Ron and Hermione, to be precise. He could have dealt with it if it had just been Hermione… maybe if it had just been Ron, like in fourth year. That had been awful, though.

But both of them…?

A low rumble of thunder split the air as he spun on his heel, ready to leave before anyone else caught up with him…

…and came face to face with Ron.

The boy's face was as flaming red as his hair, so much that his brilliant freckles were almost hidden. He leaned heavily on his knees, breathing hard as Harry pushed past him. One hand snagged Harry's robes, holding him in place.

"What's…come over you…Harry?" Ron gasped out, "I mean, for… God's sake, it was only a kiss…" his face reddened more, though not because of his exertions.

"You're right," Harry agreed amiably, "why should I give a damn that my two best friends were making out on the astronomy tower!"

Ron let go, stepping back as the hall around them lapsed into a puddle of silence in response to Harry's shouting.

"When were you going to tell me, anyways?"

"Er, we thought it best… to, umm…."

"To um what? Lie to me?"

"Well," Ron toed the ground, "I mean, it didn't… we hadn't… we just didn't know how you'd take it and all, I mean, after last year, and everything, with Cho and, and…well, Sirius and all…"

Harry flinched away as Ron stepped closer.

"Harry…?"

"No. You're right Ron. It was much better for me to find out this way, by following you two, when you slipped off for no reason. God, you're as stupid as Neville!"

Ron scowled darkly, hands clenching into tight fists at his sides. "Stop being an ass, Harry."

"What? Are you also seeing Neville behind my back? Is that it?" Harry taunted, watching Ron's eyes closely. He wanted Ron to hit him, to try. He'd just whip out his wand and….

"Are you jealous, is that the problem?"

Harry smiled thinly, using an expression that he had seen on Snape whenever the professor was being particularly malicious. All he could hear was a roaring sound in his ears, the pounding of his heart. He wanted to hurt something, kill someone, it didn't matter who or what.

It didn't matter if it was his oldest and truest friend.

"Keep the slut. I don –"

He didn't get any further before Ron swung at him. Harry ducked under the punch, bringing his wand into play. Ron froze at the sight of it leveled at his face, and backed away slowly, his hands raised.

"Harry…?"

Noise came rushing back in a sudden sweeping tide. Girls screaming, boys shouting encouragement and derision, the crackling rumble of thunder above their heads. Harry staggered back slightly, dropping his wand to his side and staring blankly at the white-faced Ron.

"I…"

Tears suddenly welled in his eyes, clouding his vision.

Ashamed, he swiped at his face with the sleeve of his robes, then pushed his way roughly through the crowds that had gathered in a circle to watch the action.

At the edge of the group, a pair of eyes watched Potter flee from the room, lips twisting slightly into a faint smile.

TBC

Ah… no shônen-ai yet?? I must be off my rocker. Well, I don't have a rocker, come to think of it, but that isn't the issue here. This is getting to be… way out of… what I had though…? That sentence didn't actually make much sense, but tant pis! You know what I mean!!!

Please review!

Xtine the Pirate Malfoy. (but not when he's being wussy.)