Chapter 18

The world was crashing around Harry. All hope had gone from him. He wanted to crawl into a corner and die. His eyes never left Malfoy's face as Ron turned around to speak. Ron froze as he focused on the hurt on Harry's face. He wiped the tears from his own face and spoke.

"Harry, it's not what you think," he said eagerly. He pulled from Malfoy; standing weakly from the bed and crossed over to Harry. He gripped his arms gently and stared into his hurt face. Ron felt as if he had to convince Harry that there was nothing between him and Malfoy. He couldn't stand to see the hurt there. Though a small part of him wanted him to hurt; and experience the pain he had to go through all these months.

Harry stared up at him then looked away. He wanted to believe him, but they had looked so close. He looked back to Ron face and he saw tears there. He had been crying and Malfoy had comforted him. He should have stayed with him; it shouldn't have been Malfoy, but him, Ron's best friend who comforted him.

Hermione looked between the two of them, and then at Malfoy who was lying casually back on the bed, completely relaxed. Hermione shook her head in disgust.

"You're trying to come between them, aren't you Malfoy?" she snapped. Malfoy raised himself from the bed and scowled at her menacingly.

"For your information Granger, I'm not." He shot back. He looked at Harry and grimaced. "Like I've already told Potter, he did that on his own," he sneered. Ron looked around at Malfoy angrily and then at Harry who was looking at him questioningly. Ron looked toward the ground. He didn't know what to say. Malfoy was right in a way, but Ron was willing to work on the friendship with Harry. He had to convince Harry of that.

Harry looked at Ron in disbelief. Ron hadn't tried to deny what Malfoy had said. He was right then, there was no chance for him and Ron. Harry snatched away from him and hurried to leave the ward.

"Harry, no," yelled Ron as he hurried after him.

"No Ron, you're too weak. I'll talk to him," said Hermione.

Ron stopped as Hermione passed him. She didn't know what she was going to say to convince Harry that what he had seen hadn't been anything to worry about; because she wasn't quite sure herself. She hurried out the room and as soon as the door closed Ron rounded on Malfoy.

"Why did you say that? You know nothing about what I want," he snapped. Malfoy stood up angrily and got in Ron's face.

"I said what you're too noble to say. You know just as well as I that Potter deserves what he's getting,"

"You had no right to interfere in my personal life." Ron bellowed.

"Oh, don't I Ron? I guess I'm wasting my time then."

Malfoy turned and grabbed his things. He dropped his ring on the table, then turned back to face Ron.

"The next time you need someone to have your back against your so called friends, leave me out of it." Malfoy yelled as he pushed pass Ron. Ron turned on the spot and grabbed his robes.

"Draco, don't go," he yearned.

Malfoy snatched his robe away from him and turned angrily.

"Why shouldn't I go? I'm just interfering with your real friends aren't I," he hissed.

"I didn't mean it like that," cried Ron. "You know that's not what I meant."

"Actually, I don't. And right now I don't care," he turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him. Ron stared at the door. What had just happened? He leaned against the wall and slid down until he hit the hard cold floor. He balled his legs into a fetal position and sat there fighting back the tears that were urging to flow. What had he done?

Malfoy pushed fiercely past Hermione and Harry who had been standing at the door listening quietly. Hermione had been about to comfort Harry when they heard shouting from inside the ward. Harry looked after Malfoy then around at the door that still shook from the force of the slam. He looked around at Hermione who nodded. He pushed the door open and searched the dark room for Ron. He saw him leaning against the wall crying softly. He rushed to him and dropped to his knees; Hermione followed.

"Ron, what happened?" asked Harry as he sat in front of him.

Ron looked up at him and shook his head.

"I told him that he had no right to say what he said to you, and he snapped,"

"Malfoy's a git, you know that. He was probably just pretending to be your friend all along," said Harry. Hermione nodded.

"Ron, you're better off without him," Hermione added.

Ron sat up and leaned his head against the wall. They were wrong. Malfoy hadn't been pretending. He didn't have a reason. There was nothing that he had that Malfoy could have possibly wanted. His feelings had to have been genuine. He had been there for Ron during all the sneers and ridicules that had been thrown at him. He had held him when he had cried. He had been there just to be there. He hadn't pretended, Ron knew that for a fact, but Ron had accused him of coming between him and Harry, completely throwing away the friendship they had built.

Harry leaned in and kissed Ron on the lips; completely taking Ron off guard. Ron didn't know what to say about this. Harry looked so happy; he didn't want to spoil it by confessing that deep down it was Malfoy who he wanted to be with, not Harry.

He grimaced nervously and Harry took this as acceptance for them to be together again. Hermione smiled at them and started to laugh.

"You guys are so stupid," she giggled.

"When are you getting out of here," asked Harry.

"Tomorrow morning I think," said Ron not looking at him. He was afraid his eyes would betray the way he truly felt.

"We'll be back tomorrow then," exclaimed Harry as he helped him back to the bed.

"Okay, Can you bring me a change of clothes?"

"I'll see to that. Oh, before we forget, we got you a gift," said Hermione.

Harry dug into his robes and pulled out a locket, with the words "Friends" inscribed across the front.

"Hermione picked it out. Pretty girly if you ask me," Harry laughed as he put in on Ron. Ron opened it, and there inside was a picture of the three of them at the Burrow.

"Thanks guys."

"Well, we'll leave you to rest. See you in the morning." Hermione added. Ron nodded and laid back into his pillow. Harry leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, letting there cheeks brush tenderly. They called there goodnights and departed.

Ron turned to blow out the candle that was burning lowly in his holder, and his eyes paused on Malfoy's promise ring. He picked it up and slid it onto his finger. The grooves cut into each ring slid perfecting into each other; and their initials shone brightly. Malfoy would wear this ring again, he promised himself. He blew out the candle and closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

The next morning was hectic. After leaving the ward with Harry and Hermione they made their way to the great hall for breakfast. Everyone had been made aware of what happened to Ron by Dumbledore and were told to not bring it up unless Ron did. This led to uncomfortable silences when they sat at the Gryffindor table. Neville actually tripped over his own feet when he noticed that Ron was out of the ward. When he got up though, he hugged Ron tightly then sat down opposite him, beside Hermione. Harry squeezed Ron's hand comfortingly. Ron smiled at them all before he looked across the hall at the slytherin table. Malfoy was deep in conversation with Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy Parkinson was clinging to his right arm and grinning around at everyone around her; completely smug and as if she had just won a great prize and was flaunting it. Ron watched as Pansy leaned in and kissed Malfoy on the cheek. Malfoy turned on the pretence of kissing her back when he saw that Ron was looking his way. He sneered at him before he planted a hearty kiss on Pansy's lips.

Ron looked away, completely disgusted. So they were back together? He didn't know whether he wanted to go and pull Pansy's hair out, or slap that irritating grin from her face. Malfoy was just doing this to get back at him; well, he hoped anyway. Malfoy had never really shown feelings toward him though, just friendliness. Maybe that was all he had thought of Ron; as just a friend, a friendship that had ended last night. It pained Ron to see him moving on, as if there friendship had never happened. Ron had his friends back, and so it seemed had Malfoy. Ron stirred his food on his plate bitterly and tried to join in the conversation going on around him.

"You should have see Lavender when Dumbledore came to get her. She was bawling at the top of her lungs screaming that she had been under the imperius curse," laughed Neville.

"As if. I had a feeling she would do anything to get gossip. When I was hanging out with her all she ever talked about was the next big thing. She stalked people and everything," added Hermione.

Harry shook his head and Ron nodded, but wasn't really listening.

Down the table Dean nudged Seamus hard in the harm and pointed in Ron's direction. Seamus looked down the table and his stomach balled into knots. Several people crossed the hall to whisper in Seamus' ear but he shooed them all away and standing, crossed to talk to Ron.

Ron looked around at Seamus, and watched as he came closer. Thoughts of the rape tried to make their way into his mind, and he felt a slight twinge of anger; but he knew he couldn't fault Seamus forever; he had been drugged after all. As Seamus paused behind him, everyone looked up at him bitterly.

"Can I speak to you alone Ron," he asked in his now shaky Irish accent.

"No," yelled Harry, "Ron doesn't want to be anywhere near you,"

Ron held up a hand to silence Hermione as she opened her mouth to yell also. He nodded up at Seamus and stood.

"But Ron?" whispered Harry as he tried to pull him back.

"I'll be all right," he frowned.

Every head in the hall turned to watch them as they left the hall. The Professors actually paused midsentences to look at them depart. Professor McGonagall stood to go follow them, but Dumbledore pulled her back down into her seat and shook his head.

Malfoy watched their backs as they departed. He didn't say or show any sign of wanting to follow them though.

"Malfoy you're hurting me," yelled Pansy as she fought to pull her hand away from his. He turned to look at her and loosened his grip on her now completely pale hand. The circulation began to flow again, but she still looked at him angrily.

"What's your problem?" she asked.

"Nothing," he proclaimed as he dived back into his food.

Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle all looked at each other then back at Malfoy. He looked at them all; completely annoyed.

"What? Is this going to be a staring contest or something? Eat." He yelled.

They all turned back to their food fearfully, being too afraid to draw attention to Malfoy's odd behavior. Malfoy glanced back toward the door once more, before he continued to eat.

Out in the hall, Ron was sitting on a bench next to Seamus who was pondering exactly how to word what he wanted to say. He finally looked at Ron and took a deep nervous breath.

"I'm sorry," he finally confessed.

"Its okay, it wasn't your fault," Ron grinned.

Seamus had prepared for screaming, but when it didn't come, he looked confused.

"You're not angry with me?" he asked.

Ron shrugged and shook his head.

"I was, but I know now that you wouldn't have done it if that lunatic Lavender hadn't drugged you. Right?"

Seamus nodded vigorously.

"She told me that she wanted to date me. I obviously said okay, so we had a drink to celebrate. That's all I can remember up until I woke up to McGonagall and Dumbledore beating me with their wands."

Seamus reached out a hand to rest on Ron's. Ron recoiled slightly, but didn't move his hand.

"Are we okay then?" asked Seamus has he pulled his hand away.

Ron nodded and stood.

"I'm still getting over it though…you know. So, will you give me time to…"

Seamus nodded and stood as well. He grinned embarrassingly before entering the hall, followed by Ron.

Ron automatically looked over at the slytherin table when he entered. He caught Malfoy's gaze momentarily before Malfoy turned away. Ron smiled to himself and returned to his seat beside Harry. The room buzzed with quiet whispers around him.

"So are you okay," asked Hermione.

"Yes Hermione," he pouted. She smiled and continued to eat. Harry leaned and kissed him on the cheek.

Ron stared disbelievingly at Harry.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I'm out," proclaimed Harry.

"Since when?"

"Since he yelled "I'm gay," at the top of his lungs in Hogsmeade," Hermione snickered. Ron looked at Harry in amazement. He couldn't believe this.

"But why?" he asked.

"Well, I couldn't be with you if I wasn't out, could I?" laughed Harry.

"So, you two are together now?" asked Neville.

Ron froze, but Harry nodded. Neville congratulated them and started yelling hooray at the top of his voice. Harry glared at him to stop because everyone was staring and laughing.

"Why does Malfoy keep looking over here?" asked Neville as he looked around Ron.

"Because he's a stupid git," Harry scoffed.

They all laughed including Ron; but only to not stand out among them.

After breakfast they all went to transfiguration. Ron took his place between Harry and Hermione again along with Neville.

"Okay class," called Professor McGonagall over all the noise as everyone took this opportunity to welcome Ron back. "We will be covering everything we've studied over the past months this week."

She then proceeded into a detailed overview of all the things that they had learned; letting them illustrate the techniques in front of the class and in groups.

They were on human transfiguration and Harry had just turned Hermione into a rabbit. Ron watched as Hermione leapt from the desk to the floor cheerfully. He laughed but couldn't resist looking in Malfoy's direction. Malfoy wasn't there though for Goyle had just transfigured him into a goat. Ron grinned as Malfoy materialized in front of him. Malfoy looked around completely disoriented and there were pieces of chewed paper in his mouth. He turned and slapped Goyle across the head and Ron realized that they weren't working together and that Goyle had accidentally transfigured Malfoy when he wasn't looking. Malfoy looked around when he heard Ron laughing and their gazes met. Malfoy threw him a quick grimace before rounding on Goyle again.

Ron turned and picked up the bunny that was Hermione and set her on the table on which Harry transfigured her back. She hopped down joyfully but a little overenthusiastically just before the bell rang for the end of class.

"Practice these spells for homework," yelled Professor McGonagall bitterly to the class though she was directing her attention at the back of Goyle's head.

They all gathered their books and proceeded to Potions.

"Did you see Malfoy," laughed Neville, as he held his side in pain from laughing.

"Yeah," laughed Harry. "He was truly and ass today."

Ron scowled at Harry while he wasn't looking. He didn't know when the sly remarks his friends made about Malfoy began to irritate him; all he knew was that they did. They entered the classroom and took there sits behind their cauldrons. Professor Slughorn stood in front of the class wearing neon green robes and pointed shoes. They were all about to laugh when Slughorn brought the class to attention.

"Today we will be working in assigned pairs. When I call your name, pair up, and then we will all proceed to the library to do potion's research. You will get your instructions there."

Hermione was paired with Dean, Harry with Neville and Ron with….

"Malfoy?" Harry yelled, as he rushed toward Slughorn angrily. "Ron can't work with Malfoy, can't you change it?"

Slughorn consulted his parchment and shook his head bitterly.

"No Mr. Potter, it seems that Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley have been partnered numerous times over the last few months, and I consider this a sign of being able to work fairly together."

He gestured for the class to pack and head for the library. Harry stood there completely stunned as Slughorn brushed past him. He looked around at Ron who he saw was still packing his things nervously. Harry crossed over to him.

"We can try and change Slughorn's mind. I know that you don't work to work with Malfoy, right?"

Ron paused and looked after Malfoy as he exited the classroom with his friends. He didn't tell Harry this, but he did want to work with Draco. He'd been hoping for time alone with him since the fight. If this was his only opportunity he was going to take it.

"You heard what Slughorn said Harry; I'll be fine, okay?" He grabbed Harry's hand as they left the room following the rest of the class. Malfoy's gang kept throwing dirty looks back in their direction, Malfoy didn't join in, but he wasn't trying to stop them either.

"Are you sure Ron?" asked Harry. Ron nodded determinedly.

A few minutes later they entered the dim candle filled library. Slughorn called for everyone to gather around him.

"Okay, you will all be placed in private places throughout the library. You will each be given a potion to look up. You will make this potion with your partner Wednesday outside of class and bring a vial of it to class on Friday. Understood?" They all nodded. "Great," he added.

He ventured off with different pairs as the rest of the class waited. Harry's grip on Ron's hand tightened as he stared at the back of Malfoy's head. He didn't understand why he was getting irritated. Ron was with him now and Malfoy was with Pansy. It wasn't as if Malfoy and Ron had been dating before. According to Hermione they had just been friends. Harry was being silly. Just like Hermione had said; Ron would never choose Malfoy over him.

Slughorn came around a stack of books and regarded his list.

"Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley, come this way please."

Harry squeezed Ron hand again comfortably. Ron's palms were sweaty and his mind was racing. He smiled back at Harry and followed Slughorn. Malfoy smiled as Crabbe cracked another joke behind Harry. He sneered at Harry when he went past. Once he was out of view though his faced turned completely serious and his heart began to race nervously. He stared at the back of Ron's head and his stomach balled into knots. This would be a long two hours.