A/N: I'm not too fond of this next chapter… too much dialog… whatever, here it is:

----------------Chapter 5. Ron's Sorrow/So where are we now?--------------

POV: (Ron)

Harry likes Draco, (so that means he won't be too upset if I ask out Cho, right? I want to ask if it's okay, but) he's still locked in the Potion's classroom. (Oh well, I'll ask her out anyways.)

(Gathering up my courage (which wasn't as much as I had hoped for….), I walked over to the Ravenclaw's table. "C-can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked Cho nervously, blushing as) her friends began to giggle.

"If you have something to say, you can say it in front of my friends," she said, rolling her eyes (at me).

(My blush deepened. "Oh, okay… Umm, I was wondering if you would… like to go have a coffee with me tomorrow at Hogsmeade?")

"I don't drink coffee." She flipped her hair and sipped her drink, which just happened to be coffee.

("B-but you're drinking coffee right now!" I argued.)

Cho sighed, looking really annoyed. "Look, I'm flattered, but I just can't go out with you." (My face fell), causing Cho's smile to falter. "Oh, no don't be sad," she said soothingly, "I know what you're thinking, and it's not true! See, it's not me, it's you. Okay? Feel better now?"

(No, I feel like shit!)

Cho smiled, flipped her hair again, and turned back to her giggling friends.

POV: Draco

I smiled, feeling really giddy as I eagerly kissed Harry. I can't believe it! He actually loves me! I want to tell him that I love him too, but right now I can't seem to stop kissing him long enough to say it.

Harry took his mouth away and I began kissing his neck instead. "Draco, we really need to talk."

"About?" I placed my hands on his hips and pushed him against my growing erection.

I heard him gasp before stuttering, "About our, uh, s-situation." From the sound of it, he was trying not to moan.

"What situation," I panted as I nibbled his ear.

"What's going to h-happen after we l-l-leave the cl-classroom, damn Draco that feels good!" (Exactly what I was doing to make him say this is of no importance right now !)

I froze. "Do we have to…?"

"Are you going to break up with Hermione?"

I want to, I honestly want to, but… "I can't," I said uncomfortably as I thought the bet I had made Blaise.

"What? Why not?" Harry asked (a bit dejectedly) as he pulled away from me. I didn't answer. Sighing, he got off me and headed back to continue work on our potion (we still haven't finished that thing?).

POV: Harry

"Are you mad at me?" Draco asked softly, walking over and helping with the potion.

"Hell yes, I'm fucking pissed! I confess my undying love for you and you still pick my best friend over me! What the hell Malfoy, do you like me or not!" I shouted, throwing down the lacewing I was holding and glaring at him.

"Yes, of course I like you, and I want to be with you," Draco's voice dropped to a whisper, "But I just can't break up with Hermione yet…"

There was obviously something he wasn't telling me, and I was determined to find out what. I chose to address my suspicions head-on. "So Malfoy, what's you're true motive for dating Hermione? You're just trying to get her to be your new conquest, aren't you? You just wanna wait 'til she puts out for you before you ditch her."

Draco looked up at me, a hurt look in his eyes. He smirked. "Yeah, because as everybody knows, I'm just a practiced whore who's already shagged half the school, I can't possibly want more than just sex from a relationship, can I?" he asked coldly. "Ever consider the possibility that maybe I actually like her? That I liked both of you? That I chose Hermione because I knew there was a better chance of her returning my feelings then you?"

"And what if she had said no? Would you've settled for me, or gone after the first thing that walked by?" I shouted, my temper getting the better of me.

"I'd have asked out Weasley before I even considered trying to get my hopes up over the insane idea of you liking me!" Draco yelled, clenching his fists and glaring at me. "Can you stand there and honestly say that had I walked up to you and said "hey, I fancy you, why don't we go out" that you would've actually said yes! That you would've, without a shadow of a doubt, said yes, knowing that if you did, the entire school would've been harassing us with questions and doubting the entire thing! Knowing that deep down all of them, even your own friends, would be saying it was just a ploy for you to become center of attention again and for me to raise my rep, you would've said yes? That you could've ignored the rumors that would've been flying about me cheating on you and about how you only in it for sex, that you could've been with me for more then a week without dumping me because you doubted my honesty, and that you would've put yourself through all that because you… Heh, how did you put it? Oh yeah, because you love me!" Draco said sardonically. He paused and stood silent, panting from shortage of breath and waiting for my response. His fists were clenched so tightly I could see little streams of blood running down from his palms.

I was shocked by this outburst, but the more I thought it over, the more what Draco said seemed to make sense. Would I have said yes without thinking it was a trick or something? Hermione had already accused me of only pretending to like Draco to become talk of the school, so I can imagine what others might say… And I was so quick to jump to the conclusion that he was only dating Hermione for the thrill of the conquest.

But I was planning on asking him out, doesn't that count for something! I might be having doubts now, but I was planning on asking him… I still want to… and I'm going to.

I looked Draco in the eyes. "Yes, I would have gone out with you had you asked," I said.

Draco snorted. "Sure you would have," he muttered, rolling his eyes.

I sharpened my gaze to a death-glare. "Yeah, I would have! You can ask your girlfriend if you don't believe me. I was going to ask you out after Potions today, but no, you had and ask out Hermione! So yes, I would have gone out with you! If you had just waited one more class period then we wouldn't having this conversation, we would be making out or something!"

"No," Draco sighed, "because I would never go out with you. Why would I want to put myself through all the pain and heartache of the inevitable breakup? What'd it all be for, a bliss moment of happiness and a few good shags? What good would that be once it's all said and done and we've gone our separate ways, you to defeat the Dark Lord and me most likely working for him?" Draco laughed humorlessly. "God Potter, can imagine that! You standing there, wand raised and poised to kill; me standing across from you as your opponent, wand lying by your feet from you disarming me. I'd be pretty beat-up from the fight, but I would be looking you in the eyes with all the hate I could muster in the final moments before my death. And right before you kill me, you'd think, "He might be evil, but damn was he good in bed!"!" Draco said with a smirk. He sighed and turned back to the potion.

"Gee, that's real special… Honestly Malfoy, that's a pretty twisted way of looking at it…" I said, staring at him.

"Maybe, but why ruin my fantasy of being with you with the reality that we could never truly be together?" he asked.

I sighed. "You don't think that this could work out?"

"No Potter, I don't. Sheesh, are you that dense? I've given you two well thought-out speeches on why I don't think we can date, and you're just now figuring it out?"

"Yeah, but all that was a load of crap really…" I sighed again. "Draco, I love you, and I want to be with you. I don't care about what everyone else thinks. And that highly disturbing image of us fighting to the death will never happen. You're crazy if you think I could ever hurt you—"

Draco burst out laughing at this. I was shocked. This wasn't the mocking laughter he usually used, but a genuine laugh. As if I were joking! Clutching his side and struggling to stop laughing, Draco looked up at me and said, "Good one Potter! I've heard that one many times before, but it's so much better when you say it! Never hurt me, hahahahaha!" He started laughing again.

"What the hell? I'm serious Malfoy!"

Draco stopped laughing and looked back up at me. "Oh c'mon!" he shouted, "Listen Potter, you might be new to this game, so I'll give you the crash-course, 'kay? Everybody says that, but a month into the relationship, nobody means it anymore. It's the same thing over and over again and this time's no different, so just spare me the "I love you" crap and leave me alone, okay?"" He shook his head and returned to the potion.

POV: Draco

I glanced at the directions and was about to add the next ingredient when I felt Harry's hand on my shoulder. What the fuck! This guy is either extremely persistent, or too dumb to quit, and right now, I'm thinking it's the latter. "Back off Potter before I shove my foot so far up your ass it'll come out your mouth!" I hissed angrily, pulling away from him.

"Dammit Malfoy, why do you have to be so difficult?"

I smirked. "Why, I feel so insulted now. Most people tell me that it's my mile-long stubborn-streak and charmingly cynical ways that make me so damn sexy."

"Did they mention the mood swings?" Potter muttered under his breath. I really didn't feel like starting up another fight with him, so I let that comment slide. Potter sighed. "Can't we at least talk about this?" he asked, finally giving in.

"We did, what do think we've been doing for the last three pages?"

"What?"

I blushed. "N-Never mind!" I snapped, "Just leave me alone okay!" I turned my attention to the potion once again.

I heard Potter let out another sigh. "Fine… Just one last thing," he said, walking up behind me and taking my hand.

"Wha—let go of me Potter!" I hissed, trying to pull my hand away, but he wouldn't let go (and, because of the way he chose to position himself, I couldn't get away unless I wanted to push him or the table over). Pulling out his wand, he conjured a handkerchief and began cleaning out the cuts on my palm. Weird, I didn't even know I was bleeding… He healed them and started cleaning out the cuts on the other palm.

"Thanks," I muttered once he had finished.

"No prob," he sighed, stepping back.

I hesitated before turning to face him. I had lied when I told him I actually liked Hermione, and now I was fixing to lie again. If there really was a chance of being with Harry, I wasn't about to lose it because of some bet! "Harry," I whispered, "if you really do… love me… then can you wait a week for my decision? I really do like Hermione, and I want to see if there's anything between us before I break up with her. Can I have a week?"

Harry smiled. He took a small step forward and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Of course I'll wait, take all the time you need."

POV: Harry

"Umm, we really should finish the potion," Draco muttered as he got back to work.

I sighed and did the same. As soon as we finished the potion the classroom door swung open. I glanced at Draco and headed towards the door. I was halfway there when Draco caught up with me and gently took my hand. "Harry…?" he whispered, "I—I love you…" His voice was chocked with emotion.

He's scared, I realized as I turned to face him. He's afraid I'll change my mind during the week… that I won't want to be with him. I pulled him close and kissed him deeply, hoping the kiss would say what I couldn't. When it ended, I gave Draco a small smile and walked away, hating the fact that I couldn't do anything about my feelings for him until next week.

I silently made my way back up the stairs and headed towards the Gryffindor common room. I turned a corner, intending to take a shortcut, when I practically collided with Luna Lovegood. "Oh, sorry Luna," I muttered in apology.

"That's ok Harry; people usually don't notice me, unless of course it's to tease Loony Lovegood…" Luna said simply, shrugging. Luna had a knack for stating the raw truth in a casual way that can make people feel uncomfortable… unless she's talking about Ungie Glooberglops or some other nonsense. "Everyone's been saying that Professor Snape locked you and Malfoy inside the Potions' room, is it true? Oh I hope not, I heard that Malfoy has a legion of Poogle-snappers at his command. Did he try to use them against you?"

"Uh, no he didn't, but we were locked in the room," I replied uncomfortably. I didn't feel like talking about Draco.

"Oh, did you two have some sort of… encounter? You seem uneasy talking about him, yet you don't look like you've been hurt," Luna said, cocking her head to the side as she looked me up and down. "Then again, some Poogle-snappers can transform into people. Are you really Harry?"

I smiled. "Don't worry Luna, I have the ultimate guard against Poogle-snappers," I reassured her with a wink. I have no idea what a Poogle-snapper is or what the proper way to stop them is, but it's fun to humor her… and after awhile you can't help but somewhat believe this nonsense.

"Good, so you're wearing your special Anti-Poogle-snapper underwear?"

"Oops, I thought Poogle-snappers were warded off by extra-spearmint gum…"

Luna rolled her eyes at me. "No Harry, spearmint lures Lokipens… but I guess it's okay, Lokipens eat Poogle-snappers, so they'll protect you." Luna paused. "You never answered my question though. Did you and Malfoy have an encounter of some sort?"

I blushed. "Sorta…"

"Harry, I know Malfoy seems like a prat at first, but it's just to keep people from getting too close to him. Try to be patient with him, he'll come around."

I looked at her with wide eyes. Luna Lovegood, defiantly a different kind of wisdom. "H—how do you know what happened? Do you know what happened!" I asked.

"It's written all over your face," Luna said with a smile, "it's obvious something happened between you two, and by the way you're acting all uncomfortable it's easy to see you're guilty, and why could you possibly be guilty about unless you and Malfoy had a romantic encounter."

"Wow, you were able to figure that out just by talking to me for a few minutes?" I asked, stunned.

Luna laughed. "Actually, you have a hickie on your neck."

"Oh…" I moved my hand up and rubbed my neck self-consciously.

"Anyways, I heard some of the other Ravenclaws talking about him," Luna continued. She crossed her arms and scrunched up her face as she tried to remember what the Ravenclaws had said. "It sounded like something bad had happened to him the summer before last and that's why he's been acting like this, but he won't tell anyone about it. Only Blaise seems to know and he's not talking about it either…"

"I've never heard of any of this."

"Because you don't listen… Just be patient with him, okay Harry?" Luna repeated as she began to walk off. "Oh," she said, pausing, "My birth-day's on Thursday, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the party. It's in the Room of Requirements and it starts at ten o'clock pm."

"Cool, I'll be there," I told her with a smile.

POV: Draco

I stood in the Potions' room for a few minutes after Harry had left before heading out to the Slytherin common room. I still couldn't quite make sense of the past few events and, personally, it was making my head hurt to try. As soon as I entered the common room I headed up to the dormitory, wishing I could just lie down and sleep.

Unfortunately for me, Blaise had a different idea in mind. "Did you do him?" he asked as soon as I entered the room. I glared at him and told him to mind is own business, but he just laughed. "Awe, poor Dray-dray, he wouldn't put out, would he?" He laughed again.

I groaned and flopped onto my bed. "Blaise… can we call off the bet?" I asked, closing my eyes and resting my head in my arms. I heard Blaise get off his bed and, a few seconds later, felt him sit down next to me on mine. He kissed me on the cheek and began to massage my shoulders. "Does this mean you'll give into my seductive touch?" he asked playfully, sliding his hands down my back so that he was now massaging my waist.

I pushed myself upright. "I love him…" I whispered. "I am in love with Harry Potter. I want to call off the bet so I can be with him."

"Calling off the bet would mean that you'd be with me, not Potter," Blaise explained. "Besides, how can you be sure that he feels the same?"

I blushed. "He told me that he loved me while we were locked in the classroom…"

Blaise smiled. "But Dray-dray," he said, moving behind me and pulling me into his lap. I sighed and leaned back against his chest, resting my head on his shoulder (Blaise and I are, well, physically comfortable with each other). "Those words, "I love you", don't mean shit and you know it more than anyone… After all," he whispered, wrapping his arms around me, "how many people have lost their virginity to those three… little… words?" To emphasize his point, Blaise kissed my neck after "three", "little", and "words".

I smiled, placing my hands on the back of his neck as I slowly moved my body up down against him. Blaise moaned and held me closer. I could feel a certain stiffness in his crotch. "So… how 'bout we… compromise…?" I asked, purposely panting. I let out a sharp gasp as Blaise's hands wandered into my pants. I felt outraged that he would dare to touch me like that, but forced myself to let him (even though Blaise and I would kiss and flirt, I never let him touch me intimately or allow him to sleep with me, it's against my policy to sleep with my friends). "We call off the bet now… and shorten the terms to… the rest of the week instead…" I moaned and kissed his neck as he began to stroke my cock.

"We're not calling off the bet," Blaise said hoarsely and I instantly pulled his hands out of my pants and got off of him. Standing up, I walked over to the window, Blaise glaring at me as I did so. "Dammit Draco, why do have to be such a stuck up prick to me when you're a slut around the rest of the school!"

"I don't have to explain myself to you!"

Blaise laughed cruelly as he got up and walked over to me. "You can't rape the willing Draco," he hissed.

"I don't think it's willing when the person's screaming "no" over and over again," I snapped.

"But you got what you wanted, didn't you Draco…"

I looked over and glared at him before stomping off to my bed. I fell down onto it and pulled the green curtain closed, placing up a charm to keep Blaise away. Damn him, what the hell does he know anyways? He wasn't there…