Author's Note: Okay, this will be one of the only notes I post on a story exactly. The formatting of future chapters will most likely differ from that of previous ones because I can't figure out how to change the formatting in Microsoft Word. Sorry about that. But, at least you have the chapter in all its entirety. Thanks so much for all the reviews and criticism!

-superguy

Chapter Eighteen:

Change of Emotion

Ron blinked his eyes a couple of times as he awoke. Even with them closed he could see the bright light from the window. At first he didn't remember what had happened. But then the room came into focus and he saw Harry and Hermione; Harry in bed and Hermione kneeling beside it, head rested on Harry's chest and arm across it as well.

The chair Ron was sitting in was very uncomfortable. He'd been slouched in it, legs stretched across the floor with arms crossed, the entire night. Sleep was still in his mouth and he opened it a couple of times to release it. Fingers were still numb with sleep and muscles still ached, but he got to his feet anyway.

As quietly as he could, he made his way across the large room and slowly opened the door, stepping out into the corridor.

A blast of cold air hit his face as he passed slowly by a row of columns open to the cool outside. He didn't know where he was headed, but he had to get away.

After a while of walking, he made it to the Entrance Hall. The usual students were milling around outside the Great Hall. From the noise within it, it appeared everything was normal. At least no one knew about Harry's scar.

Well, he thought to himself after a moment. Most people don't know about it.

There was the small group of Gryffindors who were sitting at the end of the table. Most of them were from the previous night, sitting and talking eagerly. No doubt it was about Harry's...episode.

But, he wanted to get that out of his head. Walking down the row between Slytherin and Gryffindor, he made his way to an empty seat and pulled up a golden plate.

He thought he had been hungry while walking, but the looks he received from the small group at the end of the table made his appetite disappear quickly. None of the food looked...enjoyable any more.

Despite his lost appetite, he forked a slice of ham onto his plate and some potatoes as well. He could push them around with his fork as he thought about things.

But, the sound of hissing voices invaded his ears. He didn't even have to look up to know who it was.

"...Look – I wonder if he knows what's going on –"

"He should. Don't he and Potter go everywhere together?"

"Yeah – have you heard the rumors?"

"Rumors?"

Ron gave the group a side-glance as they leaned into the middle of the table to whisper things to each other.

"I've heard they meet in the Quidditch locker room to have private conversations."

"About what?"

"Some say Weasley's got a lot of secrets."

"Secrets? Like what?"

Ron got to his feet and slammed his plate down on the table. This made the whole hall go quiet. He couldn't keep the hurt and anger from his face as he quickly walked out of the Great Hall.

Draco stopped trying to eat his breakfast when the entire Slytherin table went silent. He was exhausted from the night before so slowly looked up to see what was going on.

Probably Pansy being stupid again...

But that wasn't it at all. Pansy was quiet like the rest of the table. Looking around, Draco saw that it wasn't just the Slytherin table that was quiet. It was the whole hall.

Then he heard footsteps hurrying out and saw that it was Ron. He looked upset – more than usual and was red in the face.

Quickly, he abandoned his half-eaten plate and followed Ron out of the Hall, getting snide comments from the Slytherins who watched him.

"Ron?" he called as he stepped out into the Entrance Hall. It was empty now – all the excitement was in the Great Hall. Or was...

The sound of crying led him down the corridor towards a carved statue of a vulture. Looking closely, Draco saw that Ron was sitting in the space between the wing and the wall knees pulled up to his chest as he sobbed into them.

"Ron?"

Ron looked up and the sight of his tear-filled eyes made a deep sympathy enter Draco. He sniffed and ran his fingers through his messy hair.

"W-what do you want, Draco?" he managed to get our in a quavering voice.

Draco looked down the corridor both ways to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then motioned to a spot next to Ron on the ledge.

"May I?"

Ron rolled his eyes and shrugged as he wiped his eyes, which did no good.

"I don't s-see why not." he replied as Draco took the seat.

Draco didn't know how to begin. He already felt a bit awkward following Ron out of the Great Hall, but he quickly pushed that aside.

"Ron – what's going on? Why're you...sitting behind a statue crying?"

Ron sighed.

"You mean you couldn't hear them?"

Draco blinked. "Them who?"

Ron rolled his eyes impatiently. "The Gryffindors! They're all talking about me. Me and Harry..."

Draco gave him a disbelieving stare.

"What?"

"Yeah – that's right. I guess now I have secrets with Harry. Thanks to you and your Slytherin friends..."
Draco couldn't believe this. He'd only meant those comments as a one-time joke. Not a year-round taunt fest for Ron. He put a hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Ron – I'm so –"

"Don't touch me!"

Ron jerked away and Draco removed his hand.

"S...sorry. Just trying to be comforting..."

"Yeah? Well, I don't need your sympathy. So just – stop."

Ron looked like he was trying to put up a look of strength, but Draco saw right past that.

"Ron – who're you trying to kid?" he asked after a moment of silence. "Okay – I'm sorry about those...those jerks."

"Jerks? They're your friends!"

Draco got angry now.

"They are NOT my friends – okay?!"

This echoed across the corridor and got Ron to stop his sobbing.

"What?" Ron started after a minute.

"Ron – I know you're mad at me. But, I'm a person just like you. You can't tell me you never had to pretend to be friends with someone so you wouldn't get hurt!"

This caught Ron by surprise. He stared Draco right in the eyes and a look of understanding slowly softened them.

"You mean...you're not really friend with them?"

Draco guffawed.

"Friends with Pansy? She's just snot with black hair. And Crabbe and Goyle are more like followers than friend. You think I talk to them about crap?" Ron couldn't believe it, so Draco went on. "Ah – the moment of truth comes out. Draco's not as powerful as we all thought. Bravo. Good job."

Ron shook his head in disbelief.

"Draco – I'm sorry. I had no idea..."

"Nobody ever does."

There was a moment of silence, then Ron looked up into Draco's eyes.

"Hermione does."

Draco looked at Ron for a long time, then nodded. "She does, doesn't she?"

"Yeah. She's talked to me about you."

Draco blinked. "She has?"

"Sure. About how you changed. Now even I am starting to see it."

Draco looked sorry.

"Ron...I really am sorry about how much of a jerk I've been to you. I can't believe I gave up such a good friend. I hope that's what we are...friends?"

Ron watched Draco for a moment, then shook his hand.

"Friends."

Draco smiled as he gave Ron a pat on the back.

"Come on –"he said as he got to his feet, holding a hand out to Ron. "Let's go back to breakfast. I'll eat at your table today as well. Let's give them more to talk about."

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