Chapter 17
Harry stared at Draco Malfoy.
Draco Malfoy stared at Harry.
Ron and Hermione stared at Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter.
From an outsider perspective it was an awkward situation.
Hell, from an insider perspective it was awkward.
Harry thought if he was silent long enough somebody would speak, but apparently that wasn't the case.
"So," He said politely, " Why are you sitting with us Malfoy?"
Malfoy raised his eyebrows at the bluntness.
"I thought that would be obvious," he said simply.
There was more silence.
Harry honestly had no idea.
Rolling his eyes, Malfoy scoffed. "I wanted to talk."
Hermione's eyes narrowed, "Talk about what?"
Malfoy stared at Harry not bothering to look at Granger, "The weather."
Ron looked at him dumbfoundedly, "The weather?"
Wanting to pound his head on the table he sneered,"Gryffindors."
And then with little patients continued, "No, not about the weather. Are you people honestly that stupid?"
Harry looked at him simply, "We aren't stupid. And stop raising your eyebrows!"
Draco sighed, "I wanted to talk about the article."
Malfoy watched in awe as the golden trio went into defense mode.
Weasley jumped out of his chair and took Malfoy's shoulders forcefully ready to take him down, while Hermione slammed her book shut and hissed out an angry 'Fuck Off.'
It was Potter's reaction that was truly magnificent. The boy showed no reaction. Handled like a true Slytherin.
"Guys," Potter said softly. "Stop it and sit down."
Shaking his head, Harry stared into Malfoy's eyes. "It was all lies."
"Then why were you on suicide watch?"
"Adults blow everything out of proportion."
"Funny I saw you trying to off yourself in the Great Lake."
"I was swimming."
"Didn't look like it."
"Believe whatever you want."
Draco changed tactics.
"Do you know what that article means, what the consequences of it are?"
Potter snorted. "The article was about me. I was put on suicide watch. I am still dealing with the consequences."
Malfoy winced at his poorly asked question; he should have anticipated that answer.
"Do you know what the consequences for the Wizarding world are?"
Potter looked confused while Weasley looked away.
"It doesn't involve them, why would anybody really care."
'So much for Gryffindors not being stupid', he thought.
Draco shook his head. "Listen, you are the Boy-Who-Lived. A major player in the Wizarding World. Whether you like or not your shit is going to affect the rest of us."
Harry glared at him. "How in the world does that stupid article affect you?"
"How does it affect me!" Draco said intensely. "That article blew this Wizarding World apart. Have you ever heard a report of child abuse in our world?"
Potter was pale. "I'm sure there are."
Malfoy shook his head. "Maybe in muggleborns but not in wizarding family's. In our world it is considered worse than murder and torture. Being charged with child abuse is an automatic dementor's kiss."
"What!?" Harry said in shock. "Isn't that a little extreme?"
"Harry," Ron interrupted this time. "Wizarding children are volatile, they need to be treated with love and acceptance. If they aren't they can become uncontrollable-"
"Uncontrollable!" Harry interrupted. "Do you think I'm uncontrollable."
Hermione cracked a smile, "That's not what they mean, Harry."
"Then for God's sake will people just say what they mean!" Harry whispered harshly back.
"Potter, think of a vulnerable angry child with no control of their magic whatsoever," Draco whispered back.
"It would be like an atom bomb," Hermione finished quietly.
Harry's eyes turned wild. "I am not some bomb that is going to go off," He said. But in his mind he was remembering all the accidental magic he had used in the Dursley household. Maybe they were right. Maybe he was dangerous, no wonder they were so afraid of him.
"Nobody is saying you are a bomb Potter. We are just saying why it is so criminal."
Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Then why are we talking about this."
"Because the wizarding world is in outrage!" Malfoy exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air for an extra flourish. "Their idol was treated terribly under their noses. Have your read the news paper lately?"
Harry shook his head. "I've stayed away from papers they depress me."
"Somebody burned your relatives house down."
Ron grinned, "Pretty sure it was my dad."
Draco refrained from rolling his eyes, 'Weasleys'.
Harry just smiled and nodded in approval, "There goes all those happy memories."
"Muggle bashing has gone up. Wizards are scared to leave muggleborns with their parents," Hermione said quietly.
Harry looked at Hermione in shock. "But your parents are so nice! Not every muggle is like my relatives."
"That's not all," Malfoy whispered. "The Dark Lords support has gone down."
"But I thought muggle bashing went up."
"Think about it Potter," he said severely. "Nobody wants to support the killing of an abused kid. It makes people uncomfortable."
Harry looked bewilder, "People shouldn't support the murder of a kid no matter what! Why does being abused matter?"
"Harry most of You-Know-Who's followers are old family's," Ron said nodding towards Malfoy. "They would be absolutely disgusted about an abuse case."
Malfoy nodded in agreement probably for the first time ever.
"Nobody wants to be the asshole that murders the abused boy whom the Wizarding world idolizes."
Harry looked at the three of them. "So what does this mean? Voldemort won't kill me?"
Malfoy shrugged. "I don't know, but things are changing. The entire Slytherin house has declared not to support the Dark Lord if he goes after you."
All three of them looked at him thunderstrucked.
"Are you serious?" Harry asked.
"Why else would I be here?" Malfoy replied.
Harry rubbed his temples. "I don't know what to do about this all. I need to think."
Malfoy simply nodded and stood up. "I get that Potter. Just know if you want to make a move, politically, now is the time. " And with that he left.
Harry stared at Ron and Hermione.
Ron and Hermione stared at Harry.
There was silence until Hermione broke it.
"So since we are in the Library…."
Ron and Harry groaned.
Harry just wanted to not think about anything for awhile.
…
The next morning came quickly. They had spent another couple of hours in the Library researching healing powers (Hermione's idea). After studying they went to bed exhausted with all the information they learned.
Harry currently sat at the Gryffindor table enjoying the breakfast food selection when the morning papers came flying in. Sighing as Hedwig laid down the Daily Prophet on his plate he glanced at Malfoy and then at Ron and Hermione. After what Malfoy said the night before he figured he should actually see what was happening in the world.
His attention was immediately drawn the picture on the front page.
It was from yesterday.
It was of Malfoy, Ron, Hermione, and him sitting at a table in the Library talking quietly between themselves. Every few seconds the picture Harry would glance at
Malfoy, while Malfoy stared intensely at him.
The headline read in bold: Harry Potter dating Draco Malfoy? By Rita Skeeter.
The Great Hall became hushed at Harry once again felt the eyes on him. He immediately glanced at Ron and Hermione.
Ron was piling food in his mouth oblivious, while Hermione's mouth was dropped staring at Harry with wide eyes.
Harry looked at Malfoy whose pale skin was now a tinge green.
A flare of heat went up his cheeks.
He looked at the Head Table.
Snape and McGonagall looked like they were going to have either a stroke or aneurism.
And Merin be dambed! Ablus Fucking Dumbedore raised his goblet a toast towards him with his eyes twinkling so brightly they almost blinded Harry.
Harry looked away, the blush on his face getting even hotter.
He met Ginny's eyes. She looked at him bewildered.
"I wasn't aware you were gay Harry," She said.
Harry looked at her wildly, "I'm not."
She nodded her head in shock and acceptance, "Just for Malfoy then? I mean he is attractive."
Everybody was listening in now; Ron had even stopped eating. But Harry couldn't stop looking at Ginny.
"Nothing is happening between Malfoy and me. I'm almost 100% sure I'm straight."
Neville nodded his head and looked uncomfortable, "You know we would support you no matter what Harry."
"I-I" Harry stuttered, "Guys I am in no ways attracted to Malfoy."
"It's okay Harry, he is an attractive man," Ginny said reassuringly.
"I'm not dating Malfoy!"
Everybody looked at him.
"Guys. No."
Nobody believed him. Great. Fricken Wizards. Too Accepting of Shit.
He stood up and threw his paper on the table with extra force.
"Malfoy!" He yelled.
The blonde boy stared at him nervously.
"We need to talk!" And with that Harry left the Great Hall with Draco Malfoy.
As soon as the doors closed the Hall was filled with whispers.