Harry and Ron spent Boxing Day in almost painful silence. Both were counting down the minutes to the detention just so they had something to do. After lunch Harry made an excuse and wandered off by himself through the castle just so that he was away from the tension.
Harry had no idea where he was going. He really wished he could talk to Sirius, thought he knew it was impossible. He could go to Dumbledore, but why would the headmaster want to help him with such trivial things as love. Harry couldn't even talk to the nearest parent like figure's he had because that would mean revealing the boys problem to the Weasley's.
Harry sat down on a flight of stairs and put his head in his hands, sighing. There was a rustle from behind him, but Harry didn't look up. He sensed rather than heard someone sit beside him.
"Harry?" A voice asked kindly. "Are you ok?"
Harry looked up and saw the kind wizened face of Professor Dumbledore. Harry bit his lip and Dumbledore smiled wryly.
"Private matters troubling you?" The wizard asked knowingly. Harry looked Dumbledore straight in his bright blue eyes and nodded sadly. "Anything you want to tell me?"
Harry looked away and continued to bite his lip, hard. He desperately wanted to tell Dumbledore but had no idea how to go about it.
"Harry, if you don't want to tell me that's fine, but I suggest you stop biting your lip or you're going to make it bleed." Dumbledore said putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Harry smiled.
"Sorry." He looked back at Dumbledore. "It's just… hard."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Do you want to have a cup of tea in my office?"
Harry looked up and smiled gratefully.
"Ok."
The pair stood up and wandered up the stairs towards the headmaster's office. They walked along in silence except for the tune that Professor Dumbledore was humming. Harry thought hard about how he was going to explain he situation.
"So, Harry," Dumbledore handed him a cup of tea across the desk. "What's bothering you? Still upset about what happened in the Department on Mysteries?"
"No," Harry shook his head. "Well, I mean, I am, but… that's not what's troubling me."
Harry paused and took a sip of tea.
"It's kinda difficult."
"I'm all ears." Dumbledore sat back in his chair, looking at Harry over the top of his half moon glasses.
"Recently me and Ron… we've been having problems…" Harry began. It was evident in his voice how much courage it was taking for him to speak. "It's… he…well it's about… I guess…"
"Yes?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Ron told me… he's been…" Harry took a deep breath. "You know what, it doesn't matter. It's silly. Me and Ron will work it out."
Dumbledore gave Harry a look that said 'I don't believe you', but he didn't push it any further.
"Well if you ever need a chat, you know where to find me," Dumbledore said as Harry put his cup down and stood up.
"Yeah, thanks," Harry replied turning towards the door. Just as he was about to leave he paused and looked back.
"Are you sure there's nothing I can help you with?" Dumbledore asked staring at him intently. Harry felt the sudden urge to sit back down and tell him, but he didn't. He shook his head and left.
When Harry left him, Ron felt worse than he had the evening before. Not knowing what else to do he wandered down to Professor McGonagall's office. He knocked with his right hand, his left still stinging.
"Come in," said the brisk voice of Professor McGonagall.
Ron entered and walked over the desk.
"Mister Weasley, can I help you?" Professor McGonagall asked glancing at her watch. "Your detention isn't for another hour and a half."
"I know," Ron mumbled turning red. "I was wondering if I could do it now instead?"
"Well it is meant to be a punishment Mister Weasley, I'm not sure if…"
"Me and Harry have had an argument. Please, we need time away before we can make it up." Ron blurted out quickly.
Professor McGonagall eyed him suspiciously but when she saw how miserable he was, she smiled slightly.
"Ok. There's some quills and parchment over there. I want a hundred lines; 'I will not attack other students'." McGonagall said softly.
Ron set to work, very aware that McGonagall was still watching him.
"There's nothing else wrong is there?" She asked quietly as Ron wrote the same sentence again and again.
"No," Ron said not glancing up.
Professor McGonagall sighed and returned to her work.
Harry got a shock later that evening when he turned up for his detention. He hadn't seen Ron at dinner and had assumed that he'd gone ahead, early, to the detention.
When he opened the door however Harry only found Malfoy and McGonagall in the office.
"Mr. Potter, you will be writing lines with Mr Malfoy." McGonagall gestured at quills and parchment waiting for him. "You must write 'I will not attack other students' a hundred times."
"Professor, where's Ron?" Asked Harry sitting down at the desk next to Malfoy's.
"Ron has already completed his detention. He was not feeling well and requested to do it earlier in order to go to bed." McGonagall held up a hand as Harry went to speak again. "I suggest you talk to him later, when you are finished. I will return in one hour. I expect it to be completed. If you finish earlier, leave the parchment on my desk with your name at the top."
McGonagall left the room, shutting the door behind her. Harry dipped a spare quill into the ink bottle and began to write.
"Have you and your boyfriend fallen out then?" Malfoy asked as he wrote the same as Harry.
Harry ignored Malfoy hoping he would shut up.
"You know, I saw him earlier and he looked fine. Well that was until I'd dealt with him." Harry launched himself at Malfoy and grasped his shirt.
"What did you do to him?" Harry asked through clenched teeth, his face an inch from Malfoy's.
"Well, now, that would be telling, wouldn't it?" Malfoy reached a hand up and ran his finger along the cut on Harry's cheek. Harry flinched at the touch and moved away.
"I swear to god, Malfoy, if you have done anything to Ron I will make you suffer." Harry said returning to the lines and writing in double quick speed.
"Ooh. Is that a threat?" Malfoy smiled to himself. "Bit touchy aren't we?"
"Malfoy, if you don't shut up, I will insert this quill into places that probably haven't seen the light of day." Harry growled not looking up from his parchment.
"Aha, really? Well I don't think you've got the guts." Malfoy said quietly.
"And what makes you think that?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Because if you do. I'll tell Weasel your secret." Malfoy smirked and Harry frowned.
"What secret? I don't have any secrets." Harry said, though inside a part of him was wriggling at the thought that Malfoy might know.
"It's so obvious Potter, the way you and Weasel look at each other, the way you act. You fancy him don't you? You are in love with your best boy mate." Malfoy said watching Harry carefully.
Harry's heart sank. If Malfoy could spot it then surely Ron must know and then he'd wonder why Harry hadn't told him.
"Shut up Malfoy. That's total crap." Harry spoke quietly and continued to write.
"Look, Potter, let me put it this way. You're going to do what I ask, or I will tell Weasel everything." Malfoy said. Harry looked up.
He was stuck. Ron would start to get suspicious even if Harry denied Malfoy's claims.
"What do you want me to do?" Harry sighed.
Malfoy smiled.