Chapter 6

Disclaimer: The main characters belong to JK Rowling (at least, their names do), but the setting, plot and some other characters are mine.

A/N: Hello again my lovely readers! Here it is, another chapter. And by the way, I'm intrigued by how you're all like 'Oh, poor Harry'. What about 'Oh, poor Draco'? He's hurting too you know!

Invisible Voice: Yes, cookies! If you read this before chapter 11 on Stars of Silver, please go read that as I have a solution to the email thing. Ta!

TruthxInxShadow: Yeah, Harry Draco slash is generally cool. I do have something planned for how they find out about each other's feelings. Wait and see! (Mad cackle).

iced-forest: Glad to hear that you likey. Here is the update!

Cherry0214: Yes, there are cookies. And I'm glad to hear you like leaving reviews, because I like getting them. And if you like Harry in a towel, I could try and squeeze in a bit of Draco in a towel later on!

Natasha AKA: Tash: I know. If I was reading this fic rather than writing it, it would so piss me off that they're not together yet. But fear not, it will happen. Honest.

The Earth Mystic: Thank you! I love the hope eggs thing... And about guys, well it all depends on your perception I guess.

lampshadesrgreat: He didn't want to, you know! And stupid stupid stupid Harry too!

Thank you so much people! All reviews much appreciated. And remember, if you read this, please review, even if only to say you've read it.

Cookies! (::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)

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The task of clearing up the house only took about two hours, and the four of them were soon left with nothing to do. Not that they were complaining. Ron suggested ordering pizza, an idea that was immediately put into action. Lunch was followed by Debbie phoning to say she was going into town with Nadine. Lily and James were not due home until five thirty, so an afternoon of thumb-twiddling beckoned. The prospect of such a boring afternoon was so skull-numbing that when the phone rang after lunch, Harry was on his feet in seconds and straight down the hall to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Um, hi. Is Harry there, please?"

"Yeah, it's me. Who is this?"

"Oh, hi Harry! It's Melfin." After introducing herself, Melfin immediately launched into what she wanted to say. Harry found himself longing for the boring afternoon he'd been on track for. "I just wondered if you fancied meeting up this afternoon, you know, have a coffee, talk..."

Harry remembered the last time she'd said she wanted to 'talk' to him, and cringed.

"So, meet me in the Starbucks on Main Street and Ninth, at three thirty? I'll be there anyway. Bye!"

Before he could say anything, she'd hung up. Dude, was she constantly on a sugar rush or something? She was so hyper. All the time. Oh well, he might as well go. He'd never hear the end of it if he didn't.

"Guys?" He went back into the living room, where Ron, Draco and Mione were sitting on the couch looking like bored zombies. "Wanna go into town? That was Melfin. She said did I want to meet her in Starbucks at three thirty, and she'd be there even if I didn't show." He grimaced. "Thought I'd better go."

Ron nodded, snapping out of his stupor. In the dim and distant past, he'd gone out with the sugar fairy himself, and knew damn well what she was like. "Yeah, probably safer. I guess we could come and hide on the other side of the room while you guys have a little alone time..." He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, God Ron! Get your brain out of the adult corner already!" Harry said in disgust, glaring at his friend. "Mione? Draco? You guys coming?"

"Guess so," Draco shrugged, getting up. Mione followed, and they all headed out.

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Harry was early, but it didn't matter; Melfin was already there. Ron, Draco and Mione sat down close to them - out of view but within earshot. Melfin burst into a wide smile as soon as she saw Harry, and beckoned him over. As he sat down, a waiter came over. He ordered a hot chocolate, and Melfin a latte. He wondered briefly if caffeine was a good idea for someone of her temperament, but said nothing.

"So, you made it!" She said brightly. "I'm so glad. I really wanted to apologise for last night... I mean it can't have been too pleasant for you." She blushed slightly.

"No, it's OK." In spite of himself, Harry realised he was smiling back. "Really."

"Oh, thanks," Melfin said in response. "I was so worried. I know I made a bit of an idiot of myself." She laughed. "Sorry."

Harry smiled. "No, really, it's fine."

"Great." She flicked her hair out of her eyes and got down to the serious business of gossip. "I rang Parvati this morning. She said you had something of a moment with a certain someone else after I left..."

Harry turned a rather strange shade of red. "Yeah, I kind of did. Too much drink and a few sadistic imaginations, I think!" They both laughed.

Draco was sitting in silence with Mione and Ron at the next table, hidden by a large pot plant. The three of them could hear every word, and his mind was going crazy. He was trying not to admit to himself that he was outrageously jealous. There was a spark between Harry and Melfin, and he knew it.

Harry himself was feeling surprised at the fact he was actually having fun talking to Melfin. He couldn't help thinking that maybe he should never have split up with her. He couldn't deny to his own heart that he felt something more than friendship for Draco, but that was just a dead end. Maybe he could be happy with Melfin. Maybe...

"Harry?" He looked up suddenly, to see her looking at him. "You just kind of spaced for a minute there."

"Sorry," he smiled. "Didn't realise."

She carried on looking at him, and moved her hand across the table to take hold of his. "So... big school dance coming up soon. D'you know who you're going with yet?"

"No, not yet." Harry shook his head. He had no idea what he was doing right now; was he really so desperate to take his mind off Draco? The answer was, in fact, yes. "You?"

"No," Melfin lowered her eyelashes shyly (Melfin? Shy?). "Unless you want to make me an offer I can't refuse..." She raised her eyes to look at him again. He had to admit she was good at playing him.

"Maybe..." Harry said evasively. Then he smiled. "Melfin, would you go to the dance with me?"

She pretended to inspect her nails for a moment. Then she looked him right in the eye and grinned. "I would love to." Then she kissed him.

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Monday morning was something of a flood of thoughts for Harry. His sleep had been tormented by Draco and Melfin, crowding in on his dreams, leaving him with no place to hide from his thoughts and worries. There was no confusion in his mind; he knew exactly what the issue was. He was having stronger feelings for the blond than he had ever had for anyone, but he knew nothing could happen. Melfin was fun, and he could see a future just maybe lifting its head above his sea of emotions. He fully intended to enjoy himself at the dance with her by his side.

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At lunch break, Mione noticed a sign on the pinboard in their homeroom. "Hey guys, look at this!"

Ron, Harry and Draco went over and read it.

Ron spoke first. "Anyone seen dropping litter will be put directly into detention and will spend the time litter picking. Mione, you called us over here to look at that?"

She sighed. "Ron, you idiot! Of course not! I was looking at that one." She pointed to another sheet, next to the one Ron had been reading. "'Any sophomores wanting to participate in this year's production of Romeo and Juliet should attend auditions in the auditorium at three forty this Wednesday'. You three up for it?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry agreed. "You thinking of going for Juliet then, Mione?"

She raised her eyebrows. "No way. Something a little less central, I think. How about you? Romeo perhaps?"

Harry considered it. "Maybe. Ron? Draco? What about you two?"

Draco shrugged. "Romeo I think. I haven't got a snowball's chance in hell, but I'll give it a go..."

Ron nodded. "Worth a shot. I'm thinking Montague or Capulet. I can see myself as head of a household. Mione, you should go for one of the wives!"

She smiled slyly. "Maybe I'll do that..."

Harry recognised the characteristic beginning of one of hers and Ron's frequent flirty conversations, and grimaced.

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A/N: What can I say? I love using plays to keep a story going. It's how I am. Hope you like! Remember, I like reviews, and I give cookies.