Chapter Twelve:
"Harry!" Hermione dropped her suitcases at the entrance and ran to greet Harry. Ron followed closely behind, picking up her suitcases on top of his own.
"Hi Harry-" He grunted under the weight of the suitcases.
"Ron! You don't have to do that." Hermione frowned and ran over to help Ron but was pushed gently away.
"No, it's alright. I'll uh... I'll help you get packed." Hermione hesitated, a small smile on her face.
"K." She nodded and waved to Harry. "See you in the Great Hall!" Hermione and Ron ran into the girl's dormitories, leaving Harry standing silently in the middle of the common room.
"Did I... did I miss something?" He murmured. Shaking his head, he left the Gryffindor common room.
"What's wrong with him?" Hermione sat in the Great Hall next to Ron and Harry.
"Hm? Who?" Ron glanced around quickly before shrugging. "Well?"
"Draco." Hermione said, pointing. At this, Harry turned away, not wishing to look. "He's been staring at Harry since we've got here. It's kind of..."
"Creepy..." Ron finished, wrinkling his nose. "Don't worry Harry. Harry?" Harry stood quickly, stepping over the bench and walking out, head bent. Ron's eyes followed Harry out the door but Hermione's trailed over to Draco.
Draco's head was now bowed, shoulders sagging.
What's going on between them...?
"Wonder what's with Harry..."
"That's a good question Ron... a very good question."
"Wait- didn't he tell you something?" Hermione hesitated.
"Well, he did but-"
"Was it something to do with Draco?"
"Well..."
"Yes or no?"
"... yes."
"Hermione, you're blushing. What happened?" Hermione shook her head, standing up and following Harry's path out the door.
Ron sighed and picked up a chicken leg. "Why doesn't any one tell me anything any more?"
Draco are you alright? You were staring and now you look sorta sick." Goyle said, words garbled with food.
"Of course I'm bloody alright. Don't be stupid."
"You never finished off Potter. Master's gonna-"
"You shut up! I'm- I'm working on it!" Draco lied, face flushing. He stood and left the Great Hall, muttering angrily under his breath.
"Whoa nice Goyle." Crabbe said, punching Goyle's arm roughly. "What'd you say that made him so mad?" Goyle shrugged.
"I didn't say nuffin'!" At this Crabbe too shrugged and they both reached for the last piece of beef.
"Harry! Harry wait! Harry!" Hermione reached, pulling back his shoulder and turning him to face her. "You didn't tell me everything, did you?" Harry blushed. "What happened, Harry?" Hermione's eyes searched his face, a pleading look in her eyes. "Just tell me what's bothering you."
Harry seemed hesitant. If I told her... what would happen I wonder? Would she hate me? Never talk to me again? Harry almost smiled. There's worse things than that.
Harry bowed his head and whispered three small words. Her eyes shot open as she gasped, reeling backwards and bumping into a someone as she did. She turned slowly and backed up again. Glancing at Harry, then again at the figure, she fell back to the wall, hands searching for something to hold on to.
Draco Malfoy stood in front of Harry, anger filling his face. Harry still had his head bowed until-
"I heard it." Harry's head shot up in surprise. Draco's voice was barely a whisper. "I heard what you said, Potter. If that's true..." Draco was trying his hardest to control his temper. "Then why the hell did you leave?"
Before Harry knew what was happening, Draco had a punched him square in the jaw.
"Harry!" Hermione cried out, hands going up to cover her mouth in shock. Harry fell to his knees, eyes wide. Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth. He stayed there, speechless. Draco stood over him, still looking angry.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Draco was shaking, glaring down at Harry.
"I-" I was afraid.
"Why?" Draco looked like he was ready to punch Harry again but held back, shaking his head. He glanced over at Hermione, his nose wrinkled. "Mudblood." He murmured. He looked back down at Harry before walking off down the hallway quickly, leaving Harry still staring at the ground.
Finally Harry's resolve broke and he crumpled to the floor, trembling.
"Harry... Harry I'm sorry..." Hermione kneeled next to Harry.
"I'm fine. "His voice was small but no tears fell. He heard. He heard... "It doesn't matter... It never really did." He looked up, sadness in his eyes. He pulled himself up.
"Harry-!" Pushing Hermione away from him, he ran down the hallway, tears now streaming down his face.