by Jas- From Perr: There will be no updates for the next two weeks or so, because Jas and I have exams to take. But do check back in case I feel like submitting something. Thanks for the support, we appreciate it. All we want to know is whether people are reading this.

Harry's POV

I don't know if it's just me or if it's the weather. But I can sense that someone is watching me. It's not that I've become paranoid, because I see Hermione staring when I look up. She has a frown on her face, which probably means that she knows I'm not telling her something. No, I will tell her something, but not everything. It's still difficult, it is. And it doesn't help that she's my best friend.

Throughout transfigurations, I sense that same vibe. I steal a look at the Professor; who is not looking in my direction at all. So it must be Hermione again. I won't bother to turn around and check. Feeling particularly hungry, I look forward to dinner. I didn't eat much for lunch because I didn't have much of an appetite then.

We return to the Tower for the short break. I run up to the empty Boys' Dorm and collapse on my bed, throwing my bag and books at the base. Another two sets of footsteps come up the stairs slowly. I lay still as I anticipate Ron and Hermione to sit on my bed. But that doesn't happen. Instead, its two male voices I hear. Both of which are familiar, of course. One voice says, "You don't suppose what they say is true?"

"Nah. Highly unlikely..."

I turn and face the door just as the two walk in. "Oh, hey, Harry." It's Seamus and Dean.

"You look dead beat, for one."

I bury my face into my snug pillow. "Dead beat I am."

"Quidditch, huh?"

I don't answer him. Quidditch these days have been sloppy. Seamus, the new captain wasn't around much, because he had extra Herbalogy lessons. And the rest of the team's been coming down sick, much thanks to the rain, which was a change from the previous hot weather. So it was mostly just me flying alone, looking for the Snitch. I don't know why I even bother turning up for practice then.

"You won't believe what people are saying," says Dean.

"People say the funniest things." I reply.

"And people do the funniest things," answers a female voice.

"Hello Hermione." I managed, without moving.

"And I was wondering if you had died on your bed."

"Ha ha, very funny. Where's Ron?"

"Attending to something... Look, I know we haven't exactly been around recently, but it's not our fault that Dumbledore planned a surprise and wants us to start on it so early." I feel my bed sink a little, under her weight.

"Ronald Weasley is here," announces Ron, who just pops in. "What's this? No fret, Harry, it's not a Ball. I hope you know that."

That wasn't really the point, Ron, "Yup."

"Come on, Harry. We're alone now, so get out from under there. We want to look at you." says Hermione.

I shift slightly, so that my friends can see my face. Dean and Seamus must have slipped out some time ago. "So, what happened?" Ron asks; he looks very concerned.

I gaze at the stool in front of his bed for a long time, before saying, "It's nothing... I... wasn't careful." I believe the spot where Malfoy hit me has turned greenish.

"Oh, come off it, Harry! It's Malfoy, isn't it? I'm really surprised that you would choose to defend him." She seems fairly upset and runs off before I can even say anything else.

We both stare at the door, I feel really bad. "It's not that I don't want to tell her, Ron."

"Oh yeah? And why not?"

"Ron, you have no idea... I just can't tell her, as yet."

"First you act weird; you can't sleep well; and injuries start appearing on you. Now you're keeping things to yourself. Are you even going to tell me what's going on?" he crosses his arms, clearly a bit angry.

"I am, in fact. I am going to tell you."

"So you didn't forget your friend," he adds sarcastically.

This is not how I want to start things. "Will it help if I told you that I got my second kiss?"

He did appear a little more interested, "You kissed someone? Who?"

"Actually, someone kissed me. Ok, it was an accident. But before I tell you any of that, you're going to listen to me."

He looks at me silently.

"Remember that pair of two-way mirror I bought a few months ago? Well, I gave one to Malfoy."

"You what?!"

"Let me finish. I gave one to him to see if we could resolve the bad blood between us."

"When was this?"

"A few months ago."

"And now you tell me?"

"Well, this thing is between him and me. I didn't want to get you both involved."

He stays quiet again.

"We agreed on a truce and things have gotten a little more complicated, since. Like... he was the one who kissed me."

"Malfoy's gay?" Ron's eyes couldn't grow bigger.

"No, he's not... not entirely, at least."

"Oh, this is news!"

"Ron, the thing is, I think I'm bisexual."

He doesn't respond. "Ron?"

"Why? How do you know?"

"I'm not stupid, I know."

"Why couldn't you choose me or someone else?"

"What? You did not just say that."

"NO, no, no. I mean, of all people, Malfoy? After all he's done to us? To you? I'm your friend, at least. Have you gone nuts, Harry? Is this because of Hermione and I getting together? Are you not ok with it? I could always--"

"It's not because of you two! It's good that you're together. Have I not already said that? Look, Ron. It's difficult as it is. Please don't make it harder for me." I plead, knowing that I could break down in front of him anytime now.

"What about Alexis?"

"What about her? She's not my girlfriend."

"She's not? Damned, you had us fooled."

"What do you mean, 'us'?"

"Practically everyone."

"Why? Because we hang out together often? Ron, have you forgotten that my two companions are not around me these few days?"

He grins sheepishly. "Well then, what about the fight?"

"I don't know what that was about. Guess he sort of missed it." I really didn't know.

"Are you still going to tell me about that?" he points to my forehead.

"Oh, right. He threw this enchanted bottle at my head."

"What for?"

"I don't know. Apparently, he didn't know it was enchanted. Wasn't too happy about that. Something was supposed to happen, I guess. Ron, I know you're with Hermione and all, but you're not going to tell her all this, alright?"

He sighed, "Alright. But you will tell her, won't you?"

"Sometime later, perhaps."

"So, are you still enemies?"

I don't know if Hermione's forgiven me yet. I mean, I haven't seen her around at all since then; must have disappeared to the Library. I spot her at the dinner table. She's sort of alone, because Ron's not there. I hope he's not avoiding me or something. I decide to sit with her anyway.

Roasted chicken, beef, mashed potatoes; chocolate pudding... dinner seems good. It's even better when Draco Malfoy was sitting opposite... but he's not there. I scan the Slytherin table. He's missing.

Hermione follows my gaze and without even looking at me, says out loud, "You don't have to worry. I took care of the matter."

"What do you mean 'you took care of the matter'?" I reply, in a tone a bit harsh.

Still looking past me, she says, "I know you refuse to tell me anything, but I kind of figured things out. Told him to stop doing whatever he was doing to you; told him to go away. The detested little..."

"Hermione! This does not concern you!" Dinner has lost its appeal, and I run off to find him, without looking back. I forgot to add an, "I'll explain later"; this is not good. And it's definitely not how to treat your best mate.