I Can't Make You Love Me
by Zadia Grey
In The Prefect's Bathroom
Ron sunk deep into the bubble filled water of the prefect's bath, allowing every muscle to relax in the hot water. Soon only his eyes and nose were visible from above the water. This was the only way he could possibly relax while Harry was with Neville. He soon found that his body may be relaxed, but his mind was far from it. All he could do was wonder about what those two were doing. . .
Ron's musings were interrupted when he heard the bathroom door open. He sunk deeper so that only his eyes were visible. Maybe he would drown and not have to worry about his love-life (or lack thereof) anymore. . .
"Well, look what we have here," came a sneering voice from behind him.
Ron burst from out of the water and faced Draco Malfoy. "What the bloody hell do you want, Malfoy? Get out!"
"Now now, Weasly, I have as much a right to be here as you do," Malfoy said calmly, already beginning to undress.
"No way in hell am I letting you in this tub!"
Malfoy completely ignored Ron's shouts and took off his shoes and socks, then undid his tie and shirt. "You really shouldn't shout like that. You could loose your voice," he said while pulling the shirt off of his shoulders to show off his well-sculpted torso.
Ron felt as if steam was coming out of his ears. First Harry was in detention with Neville, now he was stuck taking a bath with Malfoy. He turned away from his arch rival and sunk down into the bubbles like before. Now he really wanted to drown.
The water shifted slightly as Malfoy slipped into the tub next to the red-head. He reached out and ran a hand over Ron's wet crimson pigtail. "Hmm. . . I like your hair like that."
Ron frowned and pulled his head from out of the water. "Are you touching me, Malfoy?"
Malfoy sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. . . He swam away from the object of his affection and ducked under the water, out of sight completely for a little while, then stood up in front of Ron. He stood up so only his torso was visible, keeping everything below the hips submerged in water. Draco ran his hands through his wet hair, making it slick back in the same fashion it did when they met.
Ron's eyebrows disappeared under his bangs. This was the first time he'd really looked at Malfoy . . . He was pale, yet his body showed the strain of quidditch practice as Harry's did. Ron admitted to himself that Malfoy was hot. He inwardly scolded himself and turned around so he couldn't see. Ron folded his arms on the edge of the tub, allowing most of his back to show.
Draco allowed himself to disappear under the water once more and swam back to Ron. "Something wrong, Ron?" he said softly, leaning on the edge of the tub next to the other wizard.
"No. Should there be?" He stopped for a moment and let the words Malfoy had just said to him sink in. "Did you just call me Ron?"
"That's your name, isn't it?" Draco began running the back of his hand over Ron's side, admiring the curves of his body.
Ron looked down at the other's hand as it caressed his back. There was something oddly comforting about the touch and for a moment he forgot what was going on with Harry and Neville.
"Listen. . ." whispered Draco. "I know I can be stuck up, selfish, bigoted, conceded, a complete git . . . You can stop me anytime."
"I know."
Draco laughed. "I guess my point is. . ."
"You want me."
Draco's eyes met Ron's.
"Don't act so surprised that I knew. I'm smarter than you give me credit for."
The Slytherin felt the blood rise into his cheeks and turned away so the other couldn't see. What was wrong with him? Was he actually embarrassed that Ron found out about his intentions? For a moment, he wondered if sex was really all he wanted from the Gryffindor. . . Suddenly, he felt like he couldn't breathe. . .
"I'm in love with someone else, so don't even try."
He regained his composure after Ron said this. "Oh. . . I know. I'm smarter than you give me credit for also." Draco sighed. "I wasn't going to tell you this, but. . . Potter isn't in love with you, Ron."
The look in Ron's eyes almost made him take back what he had said. Nothing but raw furry stood in the blue eyes of the Gryffindor.
"He loves someone else. I was passing by Snape's potion cupboard and . . . he and Longbottom were snogging in there. Really, I don't know what Potter sees in him, when he could have you. . ." Draco reached up and touched Ron's pigtail again, admiring the color as his fingers ran over ever bump of the perfectly woven hair. "I would like to have you, Ron, if you will let me."
Ron closed his eyes and buried his face in his folded arms. This wasn't right. . . "You liar. You can't possibly be telling the truth," he hissed.
"I wish I wasn't."
"I still love him. It doesn't matter. . ."
"Listen. . . You can't make him love you, Ron."
He pulled his head up once more and looked at Draco.
"You have me now," he leaned in closely and gave Ron a gentle kiss on the lips.
Harry sat up in the common room, a cup of pumpkin juice in his hand as he watched he fire begin to die.
"Harry?"
He turned to face the intruder and saw Hermione standing on the bottom step. "Hi Hermione."
"Have you finished your detention already?"
"I wouldn't be down here if I didn't."
"What are you still doing up? Aren't you exausted?"
"No, I'm just waiting for Ron to come back. There's something I want to tell him," Harry felt his face flush.
Hermione's eyes seamed to mist over at this statement. "Oh Harry!" she shrieked and hugged her friend.
"Um. . ." he felt a bit awkward. "Do you know where he is?"
"He was just taking a back in the prefect's bathroom a minute ago. He should be back soon." She pulled back for a moment, then gave another squeal and hugged him again. "I'm so happy for you two!"
Harry laughed as he realized what she was talking about. "You figured it out, I take it?"
"How could I not?"
"You really are the most cleaver girl in our class."
Both heard the portrait hole swing open and turned to see Ron enter the common room. He froze for a moment at the sight of his two best friends up and waiting for him.
"Hey Ron!" both said, all smiles.
Ron didn't smile back, nor did he answer. Instead, he proceeded up into the boys' dorm, leaving the two behind.
"Well, what's his problem?"
AN: God I'm mean. Next chapter is still in progress but should be up shortly. Thanx to all who have been reviewing!