Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story.
Thank you reviewers. I am really sorry about the short chapters-they might get longer someday. Anyway. Enjoy the story, ok. Harry makes an appearance in this one. Hope you like.
The Other Way
For three days I didn't question him about Harry or what had happened, but I did keep making him talk. He got more comfortable around me, but unless I pushed him to answer he wouldn't. It was difficult to come up with questions he couldn't nod, shake his head or shrug to.
But at least he answered me; if he nodded or shrugged it was more of a reflex. I realised that you couldn't shake off four years worth of silence, but we were making progress.
On the third day I noticed that I needed food. I hadn't bought enough for two people the last time I had, not expecting to have Draco living with me, not that Draco ate enough for one person. But the food was gone at any rate.
"I need to go shopping." I said, closing the cupboard door. I looked over to where Draco had curled up on the chair, reading one of my few spell books, brushing up on his magic. "Will you be ok here or do you want to come along?" I always tried to give him a choice, it was the only way I could see that he would regain confidence, if he got to take some control over what he did.
He looked over at me, I could almost hear his thoughts ranging from 'its ok, I'm safe here' to 'if I say the wrong thing he'll send me back to Harry!' before he finally shrugged. "I'm ok."
I nodded. "Ok, I should be back in an hour or two." I went to the fireplace and flooed to Diagon Ally.
I did my usual quick round of the shop, grabbing random foodstuffs off the shelves. I would eat anything, and Draco didn't really seem bothered so I didn't suppose he minded. I had the shopping done in less than half an hour, but I didn't intend toy go home yet. I still needed to visit Percy.
I had visited on the previous days when I was taking my reports in to Ruth. I never took Draco, 1, because Baldwin was still hanging around waiting, and 2, because I never took anyone with me when I visited Percy, it was too personal. I flooed to St. Mungo's and went to the incurable ward.
I rambled on for a while to his comatose form, but it made me feel better to talk to him, I had no one else to talk to about hoe pear-shaped it all was.
The Daily Prophet had printed some bullshit story about how Draco and I had been secret lovers and had plotted together to get Harry thrown into psychiatric care. If Baldwin put as much effort into actually finding the truth as he did in making up these stories the world would have been a better place.
I left Percy and headed down towards the Unit, I still had another report to drop off. But I got sidetracked when I passed the Psychiatric ward. I paused, unsure. I wanted to see how Harry was doing, but I didn't want to see him-I would probably punch him if I did.
I hesitated a moment too long and I went in. the admissions desk was empty so I just made my way on down to the fourth room on the right. And stopped. My hand hovering over the door handle.
Finally I pushed the door open to see Harry sitting on the bed, flicking through a Quddich book. He looked up and smiled at me, like nothing was wrong. "Hey Ron! What took you so long to come visit me?"
I licked my suddenly very dry lips. "Work." I told him. "So how are you?"
His smile faded. "They have me on medication, to keep the other one away. They've explained bits to me-that I… it… what it did to Draco."
I watched him carefully. "Yeah?" I asked
He looked over at me, eyes wide. "What? Ron, you hardly think that I would do something like that. Come on Ron, I would never-"
"That's what I thought Harry. Then I saw you do it. So excuse me if I'm still a bit sceptical over the whole matter." I said, quelling my anger with an effort.
He stared at me for a long time. "I want to apologise. To him. I want to see him Ron."
I couldn't believe it-what the hell did he think he was doing? "I don't think so Harry." I blurted out.
His eyes flashed for a moment, and I half expected him to try and hex me or something. He didn't. He looked at the floor, letting the book fall onto the bed. "I never meant to hurt him Ron. It just happened sometimes, like when we argued and I couldn't keep my frustration in. but it went away-or at least I thought it did. I never remembered hurting him. The doctors say it's not unusual not to remember what your other side does."
I stared at him. It just didn't ring true-to some part of me it just didn't sound right. Maybe I was being overly paranoid or sceptical about this, but I didn't believe a word of it. Sure that look in Harry's eyes those two times-I had been so sure it wasn't him-but it was, just not a side I had ever seen.
"I love him Ron." He said.
I pulled myself back from my thoughts to focus on his words. I choked back a bitter laugh, turning it into a cough. He looked at me, and his eyes flashed again.
"I do Ron. I love him. Since before. I've always loved him."
I shook my head. "Hurting someone the way you hurt him, that isn't love Harry." I turned to leave the room.
His voice stopped me just as I was closing the door.
"Please Ron, I need to see him. I need to tell him."
I glanced back at his pleading eyes.
I didn't know what to answer, so I didn't. I just closed the door and left the ward.
I hesitated for a moment outside, I needed some calm before I went home to face Draco, there was only one place I could find it. With Percy. But I needed to talk to Ruth about this. So I made my way to the unit.
Her reaction was everything I expected it to be. "This is ridicules! There is no way he is seeing Mr. Malfoy!" she scowled. She was always so protective over our patients.
I nodded my agreement. "I know, but what I want to know is should I tell Draco about the request. He has a right to know, doesn't he?" it came out as more of a question. I hated feeling this unsure, but lately that was all I was feeling.
"I leave that up to You Ronald. He should know, yes, but you chose the when." She sighed.
I smiled, but it was strained. "Thanks Ruth." I got up to go, but stopped. "Ruth?" I asked, turning back. "Do you think it's true? Do you really think that this was all the fault of this 'other side' of him?"
She shrugged helplessly. "Personally, no, I don't believe that there is 'another side' to anybody. It's all there, just some parts they keep hidden better. But we have to go with the psychiatrists on this. I can't go against their word. Just be careful Ronald." She said gently.
I smiled again. "Yeah, thanks Ruth."
I made my way back to the fire, glad that Baldwin had decided to take the day off from hounding the place. Mulling over what to do. It was a hard one to call. I sighed as I dropped the floo powder to go home.
There. How's that? (sorry my spellings so bad)
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