Disclaimer: Do I even have to write anything here?
A/N: Finally it's finished. Sorry for the delay, this was kind of hard to write. Well, here it is.
Chapter 8: Talking, Studying and Flying
"What are we doing here?"
Draco looked up at the moon; it was full. He turned around to look at Ginny.
"This was the only place I could think of where we could be alone. You can't leave me either."
Draco scowled and looked out the lake. It was as colorful as ever and the firebugs were flying.
Ginny hugged him, "Don't leave me Draco. I need you."
Draco stiffened. That was the first time someone had ever told him that. He didn't want to admit it, but it was always him that depended on other people. Never once in his life had anyone ever depended on him or told him he was needed. Emily, his father and Katie, Draco needed all of them at some part of his life.
Emily was always so jovial, happy and full of life. She was there for Draco during his childhood. She was his first friend.
His father took Emily's place when she left. After Emily disappeared his father spent more time with him. He actually gave him the strength to get over Emily, even if it meant changing his views about muggles.
His father eventually drifted away from him. Soon he was in a different continent and he was alone. Katie helped him get over the change. She also restored the trust he lost in muggles. She taught him to appreciate them and their technology. She was another close friend. For the first time, Draco tried to get a girl to appreciate him, but fate had a way to take everything away. Potter came in the picture.
Draco hugged her back. Did she really need him? This was probably the first time he meant something to someone. Something in the back of his head was telling him that it would just end up like the others, she would leave him too.
Draco pulled away from her, held her by the arms.
Looking into her eyes he said, "You don't need me Ginny. You're sixteen, right? You were happy and got along fine for sixteen years without me."
Ginny was crying now, "You don't understand!"
"Understand what?" Draco snapped.
"That was before I fell in love with you! Now everything is different. That's what you don't understand!" Ginny yelled.
"I don't want to get hurt again," Draco told her.
"Then you're being selfish. You should have never told me that you loved me or even cared. Then maybe we wouldn't be here, but now the truth is out. When you push me away you're hurting me too. You're not the only one!"
Ginny sank to the floor. She hugged her knees and she was trying hard to keep her tears back. Why am I trying so hard, Ginny asked herself. She looked up at Draco. Is he really worth all this trouble? She never acted this way around a boy before, but she was determined. She knew the answer to her question; it was yes. Maybe if Draco was her first boyfriend the situation would be different, but he wasn't. She has been on a lot of dates with different people before, but Seamus was her first serious boyfriend. She even went out with Colin Creevy for a week. But none of those boys affected her as much as Draco.
Draco stared at her. He didn't know what to do so he got down on his knees in front of Ginny and caressed her cheek.
"Ginny, the last thing I ever wanted to do was to hurt you. I'm sorry."
He got up and turned to leave. At that moment his heart was breaking. He resisted the urge to turn around and hold her. This had to be done. He was satisfied with the fact that at some point in her life he meant something to her.
Ginny watched him walk away. Shaking her head she refused to let him off so easily.
"You're one of the most self-center person I've ever met!" Ginny yelled after him.
Draco turned around and smiled sadly at her.
"I know. In the world we're living in now, it's kind of hard to think of every single person around us. When everybody in the world is against you..."
"Why do you think like that?" Ginny interrupted, "Why do you think everyone is against you?"
"Because they are! Everyone is waiting see me fail. I've seen the way everyone in the Order acts when I speak. They disregard everything I tell them. They don't even act as thought they're listening. Do you know how hard it was for me to control my anger whenever they're talking about Malfoy?" Draco yelled. He was getting annoyed. Whenever he's around Ginny, she always seems to bring up the things that hurt him the most.
Ginny got up and walked to him.
"Not everybody wants you to fail. That's only what you think. You just have to gain their trust. They don't disregard everything, you just don't hear them talk after the meeting. You knew that this would happen didn't you. You knew what everyone would think of you after you saved Harry."
"No I didn't. I didn't plan on saving Potter. I didn't know what everyone would think of me. I didn't even know we had to fake our deaths until Dumbledore told us to do so. Those people should have the decency to respect the dead."
"Draco…" Ginny started. She didn't know all that. So everything was spontaneous. It all happened as it went along.
"Do you really love me Ginny?" Draco asked.
Ginny looked at him in the eye, "Yes."
Draco took out his wand and brought it to his head. He muttered a spell and his hair started to get lighter. It went from black to brown and finally to blonde.
"Look at me Ginny. Look at me and tell me you love me," Draco asked her.
Ginny held out her hand and ran it through his hair. How could she have not recognized him before? The only thing he changed was his hair color and his eyes, but his eyes change to gray every now and then. Ginny looked up at him.
"I didn't fall in love with you because you looked like Harry. I love you, I love you Draco Malfoy," Ginny told him firmly, "I don't know what I have to do to make you realize that."
Draco held her hand it pulled it away from his hair. He kissed the back of her hand and let his lips linger a moment before pulling away.
"I don't deserve you," Draco told her.
"We're back to the beginning. You said you don't want to get hurt, but that's normal. Give us a chance. Wouldn't it be better to experience love once, than never?"
Draco chuckled, "You should like some trashy romance novel."
Ginny didn't laugh though, "I'm serious."
Draco looked into her eyes. After all he said and all he did, she still loves him. This is your chance Draco, he thought. Isn't this what you always wanted? To experience what all those couples have?
"Love isn't real. It only exist in fairy tales and fairy tales are not real."
Draco couldn't remember were he heard that. With Ginny standing in front of him, he knew that the person was wrong.
*_*_*_*_*
"Look Pavarti, he's sleeping again," Lavendar said, pointing at Draco who was sleeping in the common room. He was on a couch in front of the fire.
"Oh my god!" Pavarti exclaimed, covering her mouth.
"What is it?"
"He's hugging someone. There's red…it's Ginny! Oh my gosh, do you think they finally got together? They're so cute together."
Lavendar was about to walk closer to them, but Pavarti held her back.
"Don't wake them."
"I just want to have a closer look."
"Just leave them. We both know it's Ginny. Come on, I absolutely have to tell Padma."
They looked at each other, giggled and left the common room.
*_*_*_*_*
Ginny woke up. She tried to move but for some reason she couldn't. Her head was on something hard; she looked up and saw that it was an arm. It suddenly occurred to her that someone was holding her. She suddenly remembered what happened in the spring and she smiled. Draco finally got to his senses, she thought. Ginny remembered how surprised she was when Draco suddenly kissed her, but she didn't complain. Everything went well after that. They went back to the common room and sat together in front of the fire. Did she fall asleep while they were sitting in front of the fire? She squirmed around in the couch. The figure holding her moved.
Draco felt something moving. Is he sleeping with someone? He opened his eyes and saw Ginny squirming in his arms. Maybe he was holding her a bit tightly. He loosened his hold around her and brought his hand up to run through her hair.
Ginny looked up at him and saw he was awake.
"You were wrong," Ginny told him.
"About what?" Draco asked, not know what she was talking about.
"Love does conquer all."
Draco smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
*_*_*_*_*
Draco and Ginny walked in the Great Hall fingers interlocked. Everybody stopped talking and turned to look at them.
'Is that Rooke?'
'What's he doing with a Weasley, doesn't he hate them?'
'Wow, he actually good looking.'
Ginny scowled at the last remark.
This was probably the first time Draco walked in the Great Hall with his head up. Those from other houses and students who never shared any classes with him finally got to have a good look at him.
"Come on Ginny. Let's sit down," Draco whispered in her ear. Ginny nodded and they walked to the Gryffindor table where Draco pulled out a chair for Ginny who sat down promptly. Draco took the seat next to her. Unfortunately for him Lavendar and Dudley were seated across from them and he brought a hand to his head.
'Just what I need. The gossip queen,' Draco thought. His headache was probably going to get worse.
"Are you hungry?" Ginny asked him.
"No thank you. I'm fine."
Draco looked in front of him and saw Dudley whispering something in Lavendar's ear. She giggled and kissed him full on the lips. Draco thought it was sickening. He probably wouldn't have cared if they did it in private, but they were out in the open. He could never be as showy as the people in front of him could. If he was going to express his feelings to Ginny, he would only do it when they were alone. He couldn't do it with everyone watching.
"Draco, are you all right?" Ginny whispered in his ear.
"I'm fine, I just have a headache."
"That's what you get for drinking," she scolded with a fierce look.
Draco scowled in return
"You should call me Lukas when we're out in the open like this."
Ginny nodded. She reached under the table and took his hand. When she did this, Draco looked at her and she just smiled.
"Ginny, what are you doing?" Someone yelled.
Ginny and Draco turned around and saw Ron standing in front of them. He was clenching and unclenching his fist, his anger was flaring, making him flushed. He didn't know how many times he has told Ginny to stay away from this guy.
"Ron, we're just eating breakfast," Ginny answered, trying not to yell at him. She didn't want to make a scene this early in the day.
Ron reached for their hands, "Why are you holding his hand? Eating doesn't require another person."
Hermione walked behind Ron, "Ron, just leave them. They aren't doing anything wrong."
"Stay out of this!" Ron yelled and he turned to Ginny, "This is where it starts Ginny and the next thing you know he'll hurt you."
Draco looked at Hermione and saw that she was hurt. Who could blame her? Weasley just yelled at her and she didn't do anything wrong. Draco wondered how she could take this from him.
"You don't know anything Ron," Ginny said, standing up.
"I don't know anything? Ginny, I'm a guy and I know what he wants. Guys like him only want one thing and when they get it they'll leave you."
Draco couldn't take that accusation. He swiftly got up and punched Ron on the face, making him stagger back. He couldn't believe Weasley said those things. Guys like him? What was that supposed to mean? What does the guy take him as?
Ginny was shocked at Draco's reaction. She could scold him about it because the things Ron said were harsh. Ron doesn't even know Draco and he's already judging him.
"I would never hurt your sister. I would never hurt her intentionally," Draco told him.
"Intentionally? What is that supposed to mean?" Ron yelled.
"You know what I mean Weasley. There are times when you're hurting people and you don't know about it," Draco said, looking at Hermione, "You could be hurting the people you love indirectly, by yelling at them. You may not mean it, but you have no control over what people think."
Hermione thought about what Lukas said. That had happened too many times, Ron yelling at her. He had a problem controlling his anger and unfortunately for Hermione, he was always around her. They had fought so many times that everyone was always betting how long it would take for them to eventually break up. It's been one year and they are still together.
'Why am I still with Ron?' Hermione thought. She didn't know how many times she has cried because of him. Ron always said sorry later, but now Hermione thought that he had said sorry one too many times.
Draco saw that Hermione looked troubled. He was wondering what she was thinking about. Is her relationship with Weasley as stable as everyone thinks it is?
Hermione could feel Lukas staring at her and looked up and met his eyes. He looked concerned about her and was shocked to see that his eyes were gray. Weren't they green?
Ron scowled when he saw Lukas and Hermione looking at each other. He didn't know what that Lukas was doing, but Hermione looked sad. He put an arm around Hermione, but she shook it off.
"Hermione are you all right?" Lukas asked. Ron was shocked, the guy sounded concerned.
"I…I'm fine. Ron, just leave the two. There's nothing you can do about it," Hermione said and she ran out the Great Hall. Everyone that saw what happened started whispering.
"What did you do to her?" Ron yelled. Hermione was fine until she came into the Great Hall.
"I didn't do anything. Maybe it was you," Draco told him.
Ron glared at him and ran after Hermione.
"What happened?" Ginny asked.
Draco was thinking about how Hermione was acting. He always thought that Hermione liked Harry, not Ron. How did the two end up together? Weasley didn't seem the type to pay attention to girls.
"How long has your brother and Granger been together?" Draco asked.
"Almost a year and a half. They started dating the summer after their fifth year. Hermione was too crushed about Harry's death in their fifth year to pay any attention to Ron. I think she liked Harry. Anyway, I think that Ron comforted her during the summer and that's how everything started. Why?" Ginny asked.
"I don't think that their relationship is as great as they make it out to be," Draco commented.
Ginny just stared at him and looked back at then entrance of the Great Hall. She hoped that Hermione was okay.
*_*_*_*_*_
Harry was in the library studying for Snape's pop quiz that was scheduled for the next day. Pop quiz meant that Snape tells the Slytherins about the quiz but not the other houses. He was lucky that Snape told Draco, and Draco told Dudley and Harry.
Speaking about Draco, he wondered how he was. When he saw Draco and Ginny sleeping together on the couch he felt relieved. They must have talked and the results must have been good. The things Draco said to him were still plaguing his mind. Draco knew, he knew about him and Katie. One question was on Harry's mind. Did Draco try to kill himself that day?
"Ron, just…just leave me! I have to study!"
Harry looked up at the voice.
"Study for what? Hermione talk to me, what happened back there?"
"I just need to be alone right now. Please Ron."
Harry couldn't hear anymore. He was wondering what happened between the two. He was sure that it was Hermione and Ron. He heard footsteps coming his way. He set down the book he was reading and saw Hermione was walking towards his table he was sitting in. He watched her pull out a chair, not noticing that he was there. She crossed her arms on the table and put her head down, giving out a long sigh.
Harry didn't know what to do. Should he ask if she was okay? Harry tapped Hermione on the shoulder and she shot upright and looked startled.
She didn't know that there was anyone in the library. It was Sunday and she was sure that everyone was either outside or in their common rooms. She looked to see who it was and saw Hale. She saw that there were potion books strewn around the table.
"Oh my gosh, did I disturb you?" Hermione asked.
Harry chuckled, "I was going to ask you the same question. Um no, you didn't bother me. I was just studying for the pop quiz tomorrow for Snape."
Hermione looked surprised; "We have a pop quiz? Why didn't Snape say anything? What is it on?"
Harry's thoughts about Draco were gone. He chuckled again. Hermione looked up at him; there wasn't anything funny about her situation. She was not ready for the quiz; she didn't even study for anything during the weekend.
"You haven't changed. You're still as studious as ever. I'm sure you don't need to study. It's just about the material we covered on Friday."
"How do you know how I was before?" Hermione asked.
Harry realized that he slipped up, but it wasn't too big.
"Your cousin was Malfoy right?" Hermione asked. She remembered Ginny telling her he was.
Harry nodded; he hoped that Hermione didn't ask too many questions.
"You're actually studying for Snape?" Hermione asked. Not too many Gryffindors ever studied for his tests. They think that they would never pass his tests anyway, so why waste the time? Ron is like that.
"Um…yes…you study if you want to make a good grade," Harry explained. Hermione glared at him.
"I know that, it's just that... not very many people ever study by themselves. I have to tell them to study," Hermione told him.
"Do you want to study with me or are you all set?" Harry asked her.
Hermione thought about his offer. She wondered how he knew about the quiz but she pushed the thought away. She wanted to make sure that she would do well on it and she bit her lip as she considered the offer. Hale looked as if he was serious about his grade in Potions. She looked at the books on the table. Maybe this could be her chance to question him. There was something about him that Hermione couldn't put her finger on. She looked up at him and saw that he was smiling at her.
"I'll take up your offer. What are we studying?" Hermione asked.
Harry continued to smile. It had been a long time since he's actually talked to Hermione. He missed his two friends. He never got the chance to talk to them because Ron avoided him. Draco also got to him.
"To them you've been dead for two years. You don't expect them to accept you with open arms."
Harry thought for a moment as he explained what he was studying to Hermione and showed her his notes.
Hermione watched him curiously. His notes were actually detailed, but he had to explain what he wrote. His style of notes was one that Hermione had never seen before. Hermione actually enjoyed spending time with Hale. He would make jokes every now and then and he was able to compare potion ingredients with their classmates. Hermione was laughing throughout their entire study session.
"Ms. Granger, I'm disappointed. This is a library, people are trying to study," Madame Pince scolded. She walked away muttering something.
"Look what you did," Hermione whispered.
"What? Is that the first time Pince told you to be quiet?" Harry asked.
"It is," Hermione said.
Harry feigned a look of shock, "You better stay away from me Ms. Granger, I'm bad influence."
Hermione just rolled her eyes at him. She looked on the table and saw a book opened up on a page about Polyjuice Potion. She immediately became excited because she knew all about the potion.
Harry saw that she looked thrilled and he wondered why.
"I know about this Potion," Hermione exclaimed. She took that book with the Polyjuice Potion reference and remembered the first time she made this with Harry and Ron. She turned into a cat and Harry and Ron into Crabbe and Goyle. That was the year the Chamber of Secrets opened. Harry saved Ginny and Hermione was nearly killed.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Harry asked.
"Penny? Never mind, I think I know what you mean. I just remembered something."
"Ron?" Harry asked.
"No, why would I think about him? You probably heard us outside the library."
Harry was quiet. He didn't know what to say.
"Aren't you going to ask me what happened? We fought again, that's usually the center of a lot of gossip," Hermione told him.
"It isn't any of my business," Harry told her. He heard her say 'fought again.' He hoped that they've never physically fought. They seemed like a happy couple.
Hermione agreed; it wasn't any of his business. If he were Lavendar or Pavarti they would never have leave her alone. She looked up at him and saw that he looked concerned. She remembered the reason she came into the library, to get Ron to leave her. She didn't realize though that tears were streaming down her face.
Harry was alarmed when he saw tears coming from Hermione's eyes. He thought that wiping them was a friendly gesture, but Hermione was startled and didn't know what to think.
Hermione quickly looked at him and stood up. She could still feel the warmth where he touched her even though his hand was away.
"I…I have to go," Hermione said.
Harry grabbed her hand before she could leave.
"I'm sorry if I…" Harry started.
"You didn't do anything," Hermione told him, "Um, thanks for studying with me."
Hermione shook off his hand and walked away, while Harry watched her leave.
*_*_*_*_*_*
It was around midnight once again and Draco and Ginny were in the common room. Ginny's head was on Draco's lap and she was sleeping. Draco ran his fingers through her hair and smiled at her. For a long time he had never been as happy as he was now.
Hermione walked down the stairs toward the common room. She had to think; things between her and Ron aren't too great. When she walked back in the common room after she left the library she met up with Ron. She wasn't in the mood to talk to him and neither was Ron. They ended up fighting again, now they aren't in speaking terms. She heard some people betting on how long it would take them to make up again.
Hermione also didn't want to go back to sleep because she was having disturbing dreams. It wasn't that they were scary, but there was someone in her dreams. Hale. Why in the world would he be in them? She could still remember what happened in the library. When Hale grabbed her hand she felt something. It was like a spark. Never once since she had been going out with Ron did she feel what she felt when Hale touched her and it was just on the hands.
When she got to the common room she saw someone sitting in front of the fire. She wondered who would be up at this time. She walked as quietly as she could towards the person.
Draco could feel someone else in the room and he turned to see Hermione.
"Hey, are you all right?" Draco asked her.
"I'm fine, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked. She walked around the couch to face him and was surprised to see Ginny sleeping on his lap.
"Oh, so are you and Ginny together?" Hermione asked. She sat on the arm of the couch next to him.
"Yeah," Draco answered, "Are things between you and Weasley okay?"
Hermione looked at the fire, "I guess you weren't in the common room when we fought. I don't know what to do now," she took a big breath before continuing, "Everybody is telling me to say sorry to him, but I didn't do anything. Why should I apologize?"
"I don't think I was in the common room at the time. Don't apologize to the prick. Ginny told me you've been with him for a year. That was one year after Potter's death right? I have a hypothetical question. If Potter did not die, would you ever think of dating Weasley?" Draco asked. He figured that Hermione was mourning and Ron was there by her side.
Hermione thought about his question.
"Harry," Hermione whispered. She did have feelings for him, but before she could figure it out, he died. The one kiss she gave him on the cheek had more feelings than any kiss she ever shared with Ron. Maybe she never would have thought about Ron in a romantic way if Harry had not died.
"No, I probably wouldn't have dated Ron," Hermione answered sadly.
"You still have feelings for him don't you? For Potter," Draco asked.
Hermione's eyes started to water; she was frustrated, angry and so confused, "I don't even know why I'm talking to you. You just get in trouble all the time."
"Not all the time, only if I'm with Weasley. If you don't feel comfortable talking to me, you don't have to answer," Draco told her. "I'm just curious."
Hermione giggled, "If curiosity killed the cat, then all of us would be dead. Harry…what did I feel for him? After two years I still can't get him out of my head."
"He was a close friend, wasn't he?"
"Yes, I cared about him. Maybe…maybe I was in love, but I don't know."
Hermione gazed at Ginny and Lukas. Ginny seemed happy even though she was asleep. Lukas acts differently when Ginny is around, Hermione noticed that much.
"You know, when I first saw the back of your head at the Hogwarts Express, I immediately thought of Harry. Don't ask me why."
"You can never forget about a friend that you cared about that much. They will always be with you, even after death. It is painful to lose someone the way you lost Potter, but…you'll just have to deal with it. Death will always leave a wound that will keep bleeding for many years," Draco told her.
Hermione watched him while he talked. She saw that his eyes weren't focused. He was staring out in space as if thinking about a memory as he talked. Hermione figured that he already experienced that pain he was talking about.
Draco could feel her staring at him. He was careful not to say anything to her that would blow his cover. He was thinking about Emily while he talked. He could say that Granger and him have something in common. They both lost a friend that they cared for…a lot. Their situations were almost similar. Heck, they are going through the same thing.
Draco finally said, "You should end it."
"End what?" Hermione questioned.
"Your relationship with Weasley. You don't seem as if you're enjoying yourself anymore. I know you have to make sacrifices every now and then, but this is too much. He's obviously hurting you almost everyday, though not physically. You said that you two have lots of laughter, but how long ago did you truly laugh? How long ago did you enjoy just being around the guy? Just seeing him? I know I shouldn't pry in other people's business, but if you don't end it now it'll only get worse. It might come down to a point where you'll end up hating him."
Hermione's head was spinning with everything Lukas told her. Should she really end it with Ron? The guy will be crushed, but what about her? Hermione didn't know how long it'll take her to just break down. Maybe she and Ron didn't share as much laughter as she thought. Lately, the only reason she cries is because of Ron.
'It has been too long ago to remember,' she thought. Hermione suddenly realized that the things between her and Ron could never be fixed. Well, not to the extent that they'll be together in a romantic way. Ron's idea of a perfect family with Hermione will never exist. They had too many...
Hermione and Draco heard a tapping sound. Draco looked towards the window and saw an owl.
"Who'd send an owl at this time?" Hermione asked as she walked towards the window. She opened it and let the owl come inside. She untied the letter attached to its leg and turned to Draco.
"It's addressed to Hale. He's not here," Hermione said.
"Actually I am," Harry said. He walked down the stair and went to Hermione. She gave him the letter and he read it.
"Who's it from?" Draco asked.
Harry looked up at him, "Katie."
"Oh." Draco has never expected her to keep in contact with them. How did she even know how to use an owl? Harry probably told her along with telling her about magic. He was still mad a Harry for doing that. They made a promise to each other that they will never tell anyone no matter what happens. Harry was the first to break the promise by telling Katie.
"How is she?" Draco asked.
"She's living permanently with Jimmy. I guess she's having problems with her parents, but with the bas..." Harry trailed of when he noticed that Hermione looking at him, "With that man living with them who can blame her. When she turns eighteen she's going to get her own place."
Ginny stirred and opened her eyes. She smiled upon seeing Draco.
"If I wake up every morning and the first thing I see is you, I'll be happy the rest of the day," Ginny said. She sat up and saw Harry and Hermione.
"What time is it?" She asked when she saw that it was still dark outside.
"It's around midnight," Hermione answered.
"Oh, not to be rude or anything...Why is everyone still awake?" Ginny asked.
"I couldn't sleep," Harry answered.
"Me too," Hermione said.
"All we need is food and we could have a party," Draco said.
Hermione shook her head; "Well...we can't have a party. We have classes tomorrow and I think it's time to go to sleep."
"Hermione," Ginny protested.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I'm sure you're still sleepy."
"I guess I am. I don't even know why I woke up."
Draco whispered in her ear and she nodded.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Ginny said. She and Draco got up and they walked up the stair to the dormitories.
"So, what about you Hermione?" Harry asked.
"I guess I should be going up. Are you going to stay here?"
"Nah, Dr...Lukas is awake," Harry said. He was hoping she didn't catch what he said. He couldn't believe he almost slipped up. He's been calling the guy Lukas for two years.
Hermione did hear what he was about to say. She wondered what he was about to call Lukas.
"Lukas is awake and I need to talk to him," Harry told her.
Hermione nodded. She said good night to Harry and walked to the girl's dormitories. Harry watched her disappear up the stairs. He looked down at the letter he was holding.
*_*_*_*
Harry walked into the boy's dormitory and saw Draco sitting by the window. He walked towards him.
"Are you and Katie seeing each other?" Draco asked.
Harry sat across from him, "Seeing each other? Right now we're an ocean away."
"You know what I mean."
"I know I do. If you mean dating or having a relationship then no."
Draco looked up at him.
"W...why?"
"Did you know all along that we slept together?" Harry asked, avoiding his question.
"Yes. I've known for the longest time."
"H...how can you act as if nothing happened? How could you make us think...Do you know how guilty we felt by thinking that we keep all this from you? You....you kept her from me! How could you do that?"
"I hated you. Yes, I knew what you two did. I wanted to make you suffer for what you did to me. You betrayed me! I thought I could trust you and you stabbed me in the back. I wanted to make you pay. I knew that she loved you and that killed me. Hearing her say that she loved you killed me! I admit I was selfish, I wanted to keep her to myself."
Harry jumped on Draco and wrapped his hands on his neck.
"You ruined my life!" Harry yelled.
"As if you didn't ruin mine," Draco hissed.
"She left me because she thought she had an obligation to you. She thought it was all her fault you almost died. You were playing with her!"
"I felt guilty so I told her that I saw you two after the first week I left the hospital. I couldn't do that to her. I knew she was never happy with me. Why do you think we broke up? Why do you think I tried to avoid her?"
"Why didn't she..."
"Come back to you? Think Potter! You were right, she did think she had an obligation to me. She helped me recuperate. When I did finally get better, you were too far for her reach. You don't know how many times she tried to talk to you, but you always had one of your sluts hanging onto you. I can't believe you told Ginny you had trouble with girls. Both you and I know that's a lie. You were the nicknamed the man-whore. Exactly how many girls did you fu..."
"Katie was the only one! I never slept with anyone but her," Harry yelled. How could he not see Katie? He couldn't believe that she tried to get to him, he never knew. Why didn't Draco say anything?
Harry threw him at the floor; "I hate you. I hate you!"
"You're just another person in a long list."
Harry sank down to the floor. He put his head in his hands.
"Both you and I did something wrong to her. She came to me one day and cried. Do you know why she cried? She heard one of the girls talking about you, saying that you two did something together. That was probably the tenth time Katie heard someone talking. Each time she felt as though you were stabbing her. Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you deny all those accusations?"
"I don't know. I just let them talk. I didn't care anymore what everyone thought about me. I knew that nothing happened between those girls and me and that was enough for me."
"Katie didn't know that."
"What do you want me to do?" Harry yelled, "Do you want me to feel guilty? Nothing can happen now. All of this is in the past. I can't change anything now. Katie and I could never start over. When we left, we agreed that we couldn't be more than just friends. I guess both of us couldn't handle a relationship. We're both messed up in the head. I guess the three of us were: you, Katie and me. That's probably what brought us together. We needed each other to help fight our personal demons. Who knew this would happen? I thought that when we reached America, we could leave all our problems back here and not worry about anything there. I guess we'll always have problems everywhere we go."
"Potter..."
"Can you just leave me alone?" Harry whispered.
Draco didn't say anything. He stared at Harry for a moment. He turned and went to his bed. He got in and pulled the covers around the bed. As Draco lay awake on the bed he could hear sobs. He didn't go to sleep that day.
*_*_*_*
"Hale!"
Harry turned around and saw Hermione walking towards him.
"Hey, is something wrong?" Harry asked.
"No, I just wanted to thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"For studying with me."
"Even if you didn't study, I'm sure you'd get the best grade anyway. As for me, I'm not so sure."
"Why? Are you all right?" Hermione asked. She was actually concerned about him.
Harry shook his head, "It's nothing. I'm just thinking about a lot of things. So how are things between you and Ron?"
Hermione looked down at this, "I was talking to Lukas yesterday and...I have to end it with Ron. I can't go on like this, forgiving him every single time he snaps at me. I know I should be considerate, but Ron has to control his self."
"You talked with Lukas?" Harry scoffed, "You should never listen to what the guy says. The only thing he's good at is breaking other people's relationships."
Draco stared at Harry. He heard everything he said.
Hermione turned and saw Lukas. She looked back at Hale and saw that his face turned cold. Something must have happened to the two of them. She thought the things between the brothers were getting better. Ginny even told her that it was Hale that helped bring her and Lukas together.
Draco gave Harry one last look and he left. He didn't blame Harry for being mad at him. It was his fault.
"I told him to move on Lukas. It's my fault. Maybe I should have told him to stay with me, but I didn't want to hurt you," Katie whispered.
Who would have thought that Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter would pine for the same girl? It was so obvious that Harry loved Katie back, but he could never do anything. Draco was in the way.
"What did you think Rooke? Katie is a flesh and bone girl. She won't be satisfied with just holding hands. You brother knew that from the beginning. He just gave her what she wanted."
Draco shook his head of the voices. Almost everybody in the school knew that Harry slept with Katie and they all thought that Draco did try to commit suicide. How they found out about Harry and Katie, even Draco doesn't know. Maybe Harry got drunk and said it. After it got around the school everyone would jeer Draco about it. Of course they never did it in front of Harry. Harry was a jock and was sought after by almost every girl. Some of the guys hated him because of it but they couldn't do anything about it. Others even thought of him as an idol, something they should be like. Draco realized that no matter where they go or their names, Harry Potter will always be better than him. He would always be the person more people like.
"Hale, are you all right?" Hermione asked.
"I'm fine; I'm going to the Quidditch pitch. We have a game on Saturday and I want to practice."
"Can I come with you?" Hermione asked. She didn't know what to do the rest of the day. She also didn't want to stay inside. Usually she would just read Hogwarts a History, but after reading it for so many times it does tend to get boring.
"Um...Sure, but you might get bored."
"I won't get bored. I'm sure you could do some great moves. Your wonky feint was amazing."
Harry laughed, "It's Wronski Feint."
Hermione stared at him. She had a feeling that she heard that line before. She shook her head.
"So, are we going?" Hermione asked.
"Okay, come on."
Harry and Hermione walked away together. Ron was watching them from the door from the Potion's room.
*_*_*_*_*
"Wahoo!"
Hermione was writing something in her notebook as she watched Hale fly around the Quidditch pitch. Everybody has to admit he's a great flyer. She didn't know how many times she jumped up when he did the feint during the practice. She knew that it was just a move, but after every time it seems as if he waits a little bit more before pulling away. Hermione thought that if he didn't stop now he'd eventually crash.
"BOO!"
Hermione jumped up in surprise. She turned around and saw Hale upside down on his broom.
"Don't you dare do that again," Hermione told him.
Harry turned in his broom so he was sitting up.
"You were staring out in space." Harry scooted to the end of the broom. He gestured to Hermione.
"Come on," He told her.
"What?"
"Here, I made some space for you on the broom."
"I...I can't," Hermione said.
"Why? Don't worry, I won't drop you. I promise."
"That's not it. I'm...I'm terribly afraid of height."
Harry stared at her and he laughed.
Hermione turned red, "Don't laugh at me. It's not funny."
"You're kidding with me right?...Oh my god, you are serious," Harry said unbelievingly.
Hermione nodded.
"I just thought that since Ron was the Quidditch captain he would have at least tried to get you to appreciate flying on a broom."
"Well, Ron has tried to teach me, but he wasn't really good at teaching. He may be good at talking and explaining, but when it comes down to the real thing..." Hermione trailed off.
"Okay, I think I get the picture. I'll try to start from where Ron left off. You don't know what you're missing not being up there in the air."
"Why do you like flying so much?"
"Why do I like it so much? There are lots of reasons. One of the main reasons is the feeling of freedom I get. I grew up with my Aunt and Uncle and they always tried to restrict everything I did. When you're up in the air you have no boundary. You can go anywhere you want without anything standing in your way. When I'm up in the air, all my problems just dissolve away. Also there's the speed and the adrenaline rush you get afterwards."
Harry got off his broom and stumbled. He got his balance and walked towards Hermione.
"That was weird. If I spend more time on a broom, I'm afraid I might start walking like Krum."
"You know Viktor?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked at her, "Of course I know Krum, but not personally. He's an international Quidditch star. I don't think there isn't a person in the wizarding world that has never heard his name."
"Oh," Hermione said. She guessed that she couldn't ask Viktor if he knows Hale. Hermione did go to Bulgaria the summer after fourth year. There, she and Viktor realized that they could only be friends. They still write every now and then, but with Viktor's busy schedule it takes time before Hermione gets a response.
Harry wondered what happened between Hermione and Krum. He remembered that Krum liked her and invited her to Bulgaria. Harry didn't know what happened afterwards.
Harry took Hermione's hand and pulled her to her feet. He walked to the broom. Effortlessly he picked up Hermione by the waist and set her on the broom as she stared at him eyes wide. He ignored her, sat behind her on the broom and saw that she was gripping so hard on the broom handle that her knuckles were turning white.
"If you don't loosen your grip you might snap the handle in half," Harry told her.
Hermione nodded and loosened her grip.
Harry put his hand over hers and he tilted the broom up. The broom rose up.
"You know, I find it funny that you can pronounce all the potion ingredients and spell correctly, but when it comes to a simple Quidditch term you can't. Why is that?"
Hermione's heart was beating fast. She was getting nervous. She looked down and saw that they were far from the ground.
"Quidditch is not something that I consider very important. Yes, I come to the games but the only reason is because my friends play."
Harry removed his hands, "Well, after today I'm going to make you realize that flying is great. After you learn to love flying, I'll move to Quidditch. Then maybe you could join a conversation about Quidditch without correcting people about historical error and you'll have fun."
Hermione seriously doubted that he could do all those things.
"You know, if you don't speed off I'm afraid that I might fall asleep. If I fall asleep I'll fall off the broom. If I fall of the broom, I might break a few bones. If I break a few bones, I'll end up in he hospital wing. If I end up in the hospital wing..."
"Okay fine!" Hermione yelled. She got annoyed at him and made the broom go faster.
Harry smiled; she did exactly what he wanted. He thought that Hermione didn't realized what she just did.
"Oh my god! It's going too fast!" Hermione exclaimed. She closed her eyes.
"Hermione, why are we leaving the Quidditch Pitch?" Harry asked calmly.
Hermione opened her eyes and realized that he was right.
"I don't know," Hermione told him, "Are you steering the broom?"
"No, you are," Harry told her.
Hermione looked down at the handle and saw that Hale's hands were nowhere on the broom. She turned around to look at him.
"Aren't you afraid you'll fall?" she asked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "No, why would I fall off? You should turn the broom. We're going to crash into the wall."
Hermione turned to look in front of her. The castle was getting closer. She didn't know what to do.
"Hermione, just turn the broom," Harry told her. The castle wall was only ten feet away and they were still getting closer.
"Hermione..." Harry couldn't wait any longer. He grabbed the handle and jerked the broom up. They were flying along the castle wall. He stopped the broom when they get away from the building.
"Are you nervous?" Harry asked.
Hermione turned around and glared at him, "What do you think?"
Harry laughed and made the broom do a somersault. He made the broom accelerate. Hermione closed her eyes; she didn't want to know how high up they were.
"Hermione, open your eyes," Harry whispered in her ear.
Hermione did as she was told. She was immediately awed with the sight before her. The view was spectacular. The sunset was behind the castle was colorful. There were different shades of orange, red and pink. The castle looked different from this point of view.
"This is another reason why I love flying. From up here you could see things you've never seen before. Watching the sunset is great from up here. It's also relaxing," Harry told her.
"Ron never showed this to me before," Hermione told him, "Thank you Hale."
*_*_*_*_*
"Thank you Hale," Hermione said.
They were in the common room.
"It's okay. I should be thanking you for keeping me company. It gets lonely when I'm out there by myself. I haven't shared the sunset with anyone before."
"Then why me?" Hermione asked.
"Because you're a friend," Harry answered. He was telling the truth. He wanted to restore the friendship the three of them had, Ron, Hermione and him. Harry did realize that it could never happen. He talked to Hermione about Ron during their broom ride and she told him that things between Ron and her could never be the same. Too many things have happened. Harry wondered if telling them the truth could change things.
"Well, if I'm a friend…then you're my best friend. I don't have too many of those these days," Hermione told him.
Harry smiled and hugged her.
Hermione was surprised but she hugged him back. When she pulled away she saw that Hale had a silly grin on his face. She just shook her head and giggled at him.
"Um…thank you again. Good night Hale," Hermione told him.
"Good night."
Hermione nodded and walked up the stairs.
When he could no longer see Hermione, Harry walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitories.
*_*_*_*_*
Harry entered the boy's dorm and immediately saw Draco sitting by the window. He looked around the room and saw that everyone was already asleep. He looked at the wall clock and saw it was only ten o'clock. He didn't know that he and Hermione were out flying for that long. Classes ended at around four o'clock.
"How was your flying with Hermione?" Draco asked him.
Harry walked to him; "It was okay."
Draco nodded, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about you and Katie. I didn't realize what I was doing. I had no intention to ruin your relationship with Katie."
Harry stared at him. He was still mad at what Draco did. All of this was the past; he'd have to forgive him eventually. Draco looked sincere about everything. Harry also knew that Draco never wanted to hurt Katie, he cared about her.
"All of this is past. We can't change anything. I have to move on, Katie did," Harry told him.
Draco stood up, "What happened?"
"Katie is dating someone. I just received a letter from her today. She said she is happy. The guy is one of Jimmy's racing partners, I think his name is Carl."
"Are you all right?" Draco asked. He couldn't believe that everything happened so fast. Just the night before Draco and Harry argued about Katie and now she's dating someone.
Harry sat down on his bed.
"I guess I am. I am happy for her; she deserves someone that could be there for her. With me an ocean away, I don't even know what's happening back there."
"I met Carl. He's a great guy, but he lives by himself. Don't worry, he won't take advantage of her. He has his own morals. The only bad thing about him is he races. If Katie goes out there and watches him, I'm sure she'll feint with fright."
"Did you try to commit suicide that day?" Harry asked. When Draco was talking about racing, Harry remembered his accident. From what Harry heard, Draco was riding his motorcycle and was almost hit by a truck. The bike flipped over, he fell off and the bike landed on top of him. Harry could still remember what happened when he came home. Everything was chaotic. The neighbors came up to him and told him his brother was in the hospital. Harry didn't know how to drive back then, so the neighbor drove him to the hospital. He could still smell the alcohol from the hospital and hear all the yelling. He could see Draco in bandages and have needles in his arms. Then Katie came; Harry could still hear her cries. Harry thought that if Draco were in the wizarding world, he could have gotten up and started walking in a week. Draco was unconscious for almost a month. His arm was broken in several places and he still had the scars indicating where.
"Do you know the meaning of accident?" Draco asked, breaking Harry from his thoughts, "I didn't mean for it to happen. The only reason that happened was because I was too preoccupied thinking about other things than paying attention to the road. Before I knew it, there was a truck in front of me." No matter how much he thought of suicide that day, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He couldn't be like her, the woman that didn't deserve his father's love.
"I'm scared to die," Draco admitted, "I'm not ready yet. There are so many things I need to do. I also didn't want to die as Lukas Rooke. I hate that name, and suicide is such a horrible way of dying."
Harry nodded. He held out his hand in front of Draco.
"The last time I did this, you pushed my hand away. Let's start over. Both of us had a hard time the past two years. I'm sick of fighting," Harry explained.
Draco took his hand and shook it. As Draco shook Harry's hand, he didn't know that this was the beginning of a friendship that would last a lifetime.
A/N: That's all folks. I did say that we are going to find out about Narcissa, but as I was typing this I could find the space to even mention her.
Thank you: I want to thank my beta, Blazefury. Go read her fics. I also want to thank everyone that reviewed, you guys pushed me to write this chap.
Next Chapter: Now, we find out about Narcissa's relationship with Draco. Was she a loving mother? Did she neglect him? Was she a good wife? We find out the answers to those question in the next chapter of, Die Some Other Day. (That sound like a soap opera.)