Title: Falls the Shadow
Chapter 5
Rating: M
Warnings: H/D SLASH
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Harry Potter! Characters (except those created by us) belong to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling, WB, and the publishing companies.
Harry made his way towards the Slytherin dungeons. Dinner was over and he had decided that now was a good time to go and apologize to Draco for the things he had said the other day, though he believed that Draco deserved to apologize as well. He also hoped that things between them would settle down and go back to the way things had been before. It didn't feel right having a dispute over something so trivial and his friendship with Draco, he had realized, really was special to him.
Harry was nearing the Slytherin dungeons when a sudden noise stopped him in his tracks. He heard the noise a second time and began walking towards it, now also hearing a rustling sound as well. He heard the noise again and recognized it as a voice, moaning, as if in pain.
Harry began to move a bit more hurriedly towards where the noise was coming from. He spotted a dark corner and walked towards it, pretty sure that the noise was coming from that spot. He was afraid someone was in trouble and walked with an even quicker step, though being careful. The noises only grew louder and rustling could still be heard. He let his steps slow down and, once he knew he was well out of sight, he looked at the situation.
He suddenly gasped, then immediately clamped his mouth shut. The moans had not being what he had thought at all. No, they were apparently moans of pleasure. He blushed as he realized this and then blushed even further when he realized that the two who were together were obviously two boys, since they did attend an all male's school. Blushing furiously, he began to turn around when a sudden dash of blonde hair made him stop in his tracks.
He knew that hair. He knew who it belonged to. And now that he listened more carefully, some of those moans were being emitted by a voice he knew. Unsure of what he was feeling inside he looked once again at the two.
Yes, it was Draco. It was confirmed when he saw a glimpse of Draco's face, eyes closed and apparently enjoying himself. Harry noticed that a hand that did not belong to him was under his shirt and a mouth was attached to his neck, though whose, Harry wasn't sure.
Harry moved a bit, feeling a hot feeling suddenly pass in waves over him that he couldn't categorize. He also felt a jealous rage overtake him as he watched this other person apparently ravish Draco, when his eyes went wide with realization.
Draco was with another boy. Draco was not with a girl. Draco was with a boy. And for some odd reason, the thought appeased Harry. 'So,' Harry thought, 'it seems I'm not the only one who's taken an interest in other men as well...' He stopped his thinking and wondered where that thought had come from. How was it possible? Was it really possible? Was that the reason he had never thought of girls? He just assumed the lack of girls around him had caused him not to think… He knew a lot of other students who, because of the lack of females, which they often used as their reason, engaged in activities with other males, but he hadn't thought Draco as one of them. In fact, he himself hadn't indulged in such acts either, simply because of the fact that he thought it was wrong and because Draco didn't seem to do anything of that sort either.
But now his eyes were telling him a different thing. There was Draco, now kissing back the other boy, a boy, and Harry didn't know what to think. He did want to know who it was that was with Draco and so he watched until the face, moving slightly to gain a better access to Draco's collarbone, made itself shown.
Franz. It was bloody Franz. Harry fumed at the boy, and then sent his anger at Draco, before sending it back to Franz. He wasn't sure who he was angrier at, Draco or Franz. He did know, though, that he was outraged that it was Franz. Of all people, it was him? He knew there were rumors of how Franz was one of the most all-around boys. He hadn't himself received a proposition from him, but if he had, he would have turned it down. But here was Draco, apparently enjoying himself as Franz did things that Harry would not have believed if he hadn't seen them himself.
Suddenly, hazy grey eyes latched onto his green eyes and startled, Harry turned and slipped back into the recesses of the shadows he had used as a cloak. After a few more seconds and once he knew he couldn't take the noises anymore, he walked away from the hallway and back up to the Gryffindor tower to mull over things, all apologies forgotten.
He went past his friends who were busy reading an assignment and headed straight to his bed. He ignored their questioning glances, not in the mood to speak to them. He was unsure if he could even speak. He was still in deep shock due to what he had just witnessed. He just could not understand why Draco would do that. Did he not know the type of person Franz was? He was rotten to the core. Was what Draco doing really wrong? At first, he had thought it was wrong, but now, he wasn't so sure. He remembered the lustful eyes that had glanced at him... His breath quickened with the sudden realization that Draco might have seen him. 'He may think I was spying on him!' he thought frantically. He hoped Draco had not see him in fear that their friendship would suffer another strain.
Was it still a friendship, though? Could he still look at Draco in the eye after what he had witnessed? For some reason that he could not understand, the thought of looking at Draco in the eyes, into his cold eyes and that cold gaze, angered him. He just needed time to adjust to the situation; he would just ignore Draco and have Draco think that he was still angry at him because of their previous confrontation. With these unsettling thought he dropped into an uneasy slumber.
XXXX
Harry gasped and woke up in alarm. He noticed that the room was still dark; the first rays of the sun were barely beginning to fill the room. He tried to calm his breathing, but instead his mind replayed the image of Draco moaning in pleasure while he held Harry's gaze. 'This is not right, it is abnormal,' Harry thought while he shifted through the covers and opened his bed hangings. He listened to the quiet breathing and snoring of his friends and willed his heart to stop its manic beating. No, he definitely could not look at Draco in the eye.
XXXX
"This morning we will be practicing a waltz. The elegance surrounding this music must be displayed in the movements…"
Harry tuned out Professor Trelawney as she went on about the exquisite art of dancing, or so she thought. He noticed Draco across the room and quickly averted his eyes, opting to look out the window and into the lake.
"Mr. Potter! Mr. Potter! Pay attention!" snapped Trelawney while in the middle of her speech. She looked at him with her big bug eyes and shook her finger at him. "Dancing is an art Mr. Potter! You must pay attention in this class…social etiquette is the most important thing above all other areas of subject in this institution. You will find yourself not knowing any, and your position will be at stake! If you shrug this matter off there will be consequences in your life!"
Harry quirked an eyebrow and let the professor continue talking. Professor Trelawney thought that her instruction was the most important and always told them that if they did not pay attention their life would fall to ruins. No one believed her.
"Pair up, gentlemen!"
Harry ended up with Seamus and they sniggered as they tried to copy what Professor Trelawney was showing them. Five years with her instruction had taught them not to be embarrassed anymore, but it still remained dreadfully funny.
When she was satisfied taht they knew the steps well enough, she walked towards her piano and started to play. The class at first was in chaos trying to match their steps to the music, but eventually they all danced in tune to the music. They moved in circles across the room waiting for further instructions.
"Switch partners!"
Harry automatically switched with the person next to him and tensed when he saw the unmistakable face of Draco Malfoy.
Harry gulped and avert his eyes, not daring to meet Draco's eyes. He felt Draco's hands on his waist, and he resisted pulling away the hands that seemed to be creating a scorching heat.
"You're still ignoring me," whispered Draco near Harry's ear.
"With good reason," Harry responded, keeping his gaze on the wall behind Draco.
Draco made an exasperated sound. "I didn't mean what I said."
"That's not what it sounded like," Harry whispered back. He wanted it to end but Trelawney seemed to have quickened the pace.
"What do you want me to do to prove it?" asked Draco, twirling him around.
"I…" Harry said undecidedly as he took one step back.
"Well?" whispered Draco, bringing him two steps closer. "I said I was sorry." Another turn. Then one step back, two steps closer. Turn.
"Tell Charlie you're sorry."
"Weasley? Tell him I'm sorry?"
"Yes."
"I can't do that," whispered Draco, drawing Harry closer after noticing that Harry was about to collide with another pair of dancers.
"You told me you would prove it," snapped Harry. He had started sweating in his attire, and the hands on his waist seemed to be getting hotter and hotter. He couldn't shake the feeling off. He was still much closer to Draco than he would have liked, but he couldn't move away. Draco seemed to have a firm grip on his waist.
"That is below me."
"So your friendship with me means nothing? Is it also below you?" Harry asked bitterly.
"That's not what I meant, Harry" Draco said turning Harry.
"It is what you meant, Malfoy, and you know it." Harry had to anger Draco, he had decided. It would work to keep the distance he wanted - and needed - away from Draco. Before, he would have accepted Draco's apology, but that had all changed now. Now, he wanted some distance.
"Must you be so stubborn! You won't even look at me!"
Harry looked into Draco's eyes and met the familiar cold fury he had dreaded to meet. So different from the eyes he had seen and replayed in his dreams. He was Draco's "friend" but the only look he ever got reflected towards him was coldness. The other eyes were apparently only for Franz and not for him. But why not him?
Harry breathed in. Was that the basis of his anger? That he did not receive that particular look from Draco? That it was instead directed at someone else? He took several breaths and noticed that the piano had stopped playing. He saw he was still in Draco's arms and quickly tore himself away from him.
"I will never understand you, Draco Malfoy," he spat and left the room before Draco could open his mouth.
"What was that, Malfoy?" asked Nott, sneering at Draco from his left.
"Nothing that concerns you," said Draco menacingly before also leaving the room and several confused classmates behind.
Draco took on a run as soon as he had closed the door behind him. He had to catch up with Harry…something was off. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and caught his breath, looking around for any sign of Harry, but the hall was empty of students.
"What have I done?" he murmured, while he brought his hands closer to his face. The same hands that had just held Harry a moment ago. He could not shake off Harry's smell, and he vividly remembered his touch.
He walked quietly to the dungeons, pushing Harry away from his mind and hoping Franz would be out of class. He could use a distraction.
XXXX
"Charlie, I want to race against you."
Charlie looked at Harry, startled. "Are you sure? What brought this change?"
Harry was filled with too much fury to explain; he just nodded and made his way to the stables. Before the accident had happened, he would ride a horse to calm himself whenever he was angry. He hoped it still worked.
Charlie continued to look at him strangely but did not comment. Both of them picked a horse and mounted it.
"Go!" yelled Charlie, and they were both off.
Harry had missed the adrenaline and the rush of horse racing. He felt the wind hit his face, and he could feel the breathing of his opponent next to him. He made the horse go faster and faster, all the while thinking of the infuriating Draco. He thought that ignoring Draco would be easy and after a while they would be friends again... somehow. Yet, that apparently wouldn't be the case. No. He could not confide in Draco as a friend anymore. He was tired of getting nothing but a cold glance directed towards him. He missed his friend, the eleven year old he had met. Now his friend was a cold young man that apparently did not give a damn about him.
He saw the finish line approaching and sped up faster. He could no longer hear Charlie's heavy breathing next to him. He crossed the finish line and brought his horse to a complete stop. Some seconds later, Charlie crossed the finished line.
Charlie looked at Harry incredulously. "My God, Harry! That was incredible!"
Harry shrugged and got off his horse in one fluid motion.
"Harry…what's wrong?" Charlie asked worriedly as he got off his horse. "You don't seem like yourself. Are you alright? Was it the racing?"
"No. I don't want to talk about it, Charlie. I need to do some assignments. Thank you for racing with me and having patience with me…I appreciate it."
Charlie nodded and looked at Harry with concern. He shook Harry's hand and watched Harry as he walked back to school. 'Harry, you are indeed a mystery,' he thought as he led the horses back to the stables.
XXXX
"Another year in Hogwarts has gone by. I am incredibly proud of all of your accomplishments. To those leaving us, good luck, and to the others, I await your return from your restful summers. The cooks have prepared a delightful dinner, enjoy," said Dumbledore, looking proudly at all of his students.
Harry picked his food and ignored the chatter of his friends. He had succeeded in not speaking with Draco since their dancing.
He had definitely tried to ignore Draco and tried not to think of him. The latter was a futile effort. Nevertheless, he was trying.
The Malfoy carriage driver would pick him and Draco up right after dinner. His belongings had been brought down, and had been loaded into the carriage.
Harry was brought out of his stupor by the noise of chairs and students getting up. He turned towards his friends and gave them a smile and a goodbye. He really was going to miss his friends. He wished he could visit them during the holidays, just like Draco was allow to pay visits to his friends in London. Yet, he knew Lucius would not let him go.
Students saying their goodbyes surrounded him, and, after pushing through the crowd, he was able to get through the heavy doors and to the carriage reception area. He saw Draco leaning against the wall outside the doors. They gave each other a courteous nod and both stepped into the carriage, each taking seats opposite of each other. It was going to be an extremely long trip, Harry decided.
XXXX
"Master Draco! Master Harry! Welcome home!" yelled Dobby, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"Hello, Dobby" said Harry with a small smile, and he turned to Draco, but Draco just went past him and into the manor to greet his parents.
"Are you hungry, sir?"
"No, Dobby, I'm fine. I will wait until dinner."
Dobby led him to his room, carrying some of Harry's belongings with him. As happened every year, Harry tried to help Dobby carry some of the baggage in, but Dobby would never hear of it.
"Lord Malfoy ordered new horses for you and Master Draco. He is very keen on horse racing…as you know, and he is very much looking forward to the races this summer!"
"That's great news, Dobby!" Harry said as he finally got to his quarters and sat down on the bed.
"But…Master Harry does not like races…"
"That will not be a problem this year, Dobby. I'm pretty sure I can handle the races," Harry said, turning around to face Dobby, only to be met by a wide smile.
"Master Draco has finally taught you, sir!"
Harry's brief good mood came downhill with that declaration. "No, Dobby, I had lessons at Hogwarts. Draco did not…teach me."
"Oh, I see. Then who, sir?"
"A professor," Harry said and lay down on the bed, and Dobby, taking that as his dismissal, took leave.
XXXX
Two days later, Dobby told him that he was wanted at the stables. Harry knew that he would be getting his own horse. Lucius had hinted at it the previous evening. He cautiously walked towards the stables though, not wanting to meet with Draco. He still wasn't sure whether he was ready to face Draco just yet and had limited their interaction to only that of the dinner table.
He opened the wooden door to the stable and went inside, when he suddenly stopped, shocked beyond belief.
"Harry! I asked Dobby to call you, I wanted to surprise you!" Charlie said, turning around and giving him a big grin.
"Charlie…what are you doing here?" exclaimed Harry, taking in the sight of Charlie brushing a horse.
"Well, Lord Malfoy just bought some horses and they need some care and training," Charlie said, putting away the brushing materials and walking over to Harry.
"And they called you?" asked Harry in wonder.
"Why, Harry, don't sound so disappointed," Charlie said with a teasing smile.
"It is just that you're... well... a Weasley," Harry said, blushing. "I was under the impression that both of your families hated each other."
"Yes, but Lord Malfoy was desperate. And I am the best in the area," said Charlie, giving him a bright smile.
"Why, yes, I suppose so. I am glad you are here. I'll have someone to keep me company."
"Exactly Harry! Lord Malfoy told me that horse racing will resume here in the manor. Since I'll be here, we can resume the lessons. You make an excellent racer, Harry. We just have to polish you up, and then you'll soon be unbeatable, I'm sure of it."
Harry immediately brightened at the idea, unsure of how to respond and still shocked at the sudden arrival of Charlie.
Neither noticed a tall blonde young man scowl and move away angrily from the side of the stable.
XXXX
"Father!"
"Yes, Draco?"
"What is that... that...Weasley scum doing in the manor? And taking care of your priced horses, no less!"
"I am aware of the fact that he is a Weasley, Draco, but he is one of the best horse tamers in the region, if not the best," Lucius answered calmly, not looking up from his papers.
"You could have acquired the services of another horse tamer. A Weasley, father! Honestly!" yelled Draco, as he paced his father's study. What was Weasley doing there? And renewing classes with Harry! He had seen Harry ride a horse; he did not need any more classes! 'Weasley only wants to seduce Harry,' he thought angrily, his blood boiling.
"I want him out of the manor!"
"Draco, for far too long you've been accustomed to getting everything you've wanted. This time, I am putting my foot down. You will be a proper young gentleman and an obedient son. You will not change my wishes."
"Father!"
"You are dismissed."
Draco looked at his father in anger and stormed out the study, slamming the door behind him. His father had no idea what he was doing in dealing with a Weasley. He thought he had been rid of Charlie once school had let out, the only thing he had truly been happy about, but now here was Charlie, and with Charlie claiming Harry's attention, his plan at renewing his friendship with Harry was beginning to seem impossible.
He cursed loudly, scaring Dobby who was taking tea to his father. He gave him a cold galre and continued walking. He couldn't show his anger towards the Weasley in front of Harry, not matter how angry he was. He was definately not going to be angry in front of Harry. Maybe that way, he could at least get a chance to speak with Harry in the future. In the meantime, he desperately needed to calm down.
XXXX
"Okay, now I want you to turn, Harry, turn," Charlie yelled out at Harry who was currently out on the field with his horse. Night was quickly coming and they only had a few more minutes, a half hour at the most, to work.
"Like that?" asked Harry, panting. His clothes were clinging to him and sweat rolled off his neck. Draco had long ago quitted, but Harry had decided to continue riding. He had at first dreaded Draco's meeting with Charlie, but Draco had only received Charlie with a cold nod and tended to ignore him most of the time. Harry would often look in Draco's direction, wondering what was wrong with him. He was glad that he wasn't insulting Charlie, but he wasn't sure if the silence was any better. After the first few days though, and with no sign of change from Draco, he had decided to ignore it. Instead, he had focused his attention on his horse riding and on Charlie's instructions, tending to spend a great amount of his time outside in the fields, riding and training with his horse.
"If you train anymore you'll soon end up with a dead horse," Lucius had told him once at dinner after noticing how much time Harry tended to put into his training. Harry had only blushed and nodded, muttering a quick, "sorry" and suppressing feelings of fear that had threatened to come up with the words "dead horse". He had gotten over that stage and he was not going to go through it again.
"Yes, like that," Charlie said right next to Harry, bringing him out of his musings and making Harry suddenly aware of their proximity. Charlie had apparently drawn up next to him and was only a few inches away from him. Blushing, Harry tightened his hold on his reigns and moved slightly away, shifting his eyes towards the grass.
"Harry, are you alright?" Charlie asked, getting off from his horse and motioning for Harry to do the same.
"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?" Harry asked, leading his horse besides Charlie's towards the stables.
"Well, you seem to get more distracted over the days," Charlie said, stopping and focusing his blue eyes on Harry.
Harry sighed and shifted his gaze, unsure of how to respond. He couldn't quite say that he was worried about Draco and his silence. He couldn't say that he also got caught up in watching Charlie and continuously tried to suppress his hormones that were apparently beginning to show. No, neither of those were a suitable answer so he decided to go with the next best thing he could think of.
"I'm worried about the race that's coming up soon," he said, hoping he sounded honest.
"Ah," Charlie said, feeling that Harry was hiding something but deciding not to push. "Don't worry, Harry, you're going to do great. You're one of the best riders I've ever seen in my life, and you're only 16 years old."
Harry blushed at the compliment. "Well, I wouldn't be so good if I didn't have one of the best trainers in the region training me, now would I?" he said teasingly.
"Now Harry, all this flattery is going to start making me blush," Charlie responded with a teasing smile of his own. Harry let out a small laugh as did Charlie before they both put the horses back into the stable and parted ways with a goodbye.
XXXX
Harry had not forgotten Ron though. Sunday morning came and went and Lucius apparently prohibited Harry from riding for a long amount of time, so after his allotted time was over, Harry found himself wandering over to the creek he had made his first friend at. He sat down and stretched his legs, staring at the water before allowing his gaze to move upwards towards the trees and into the sun when a sudden movement caught his eyes. Glancing to his left, he saw a mop of red hair and two blue eyes staring straight at him with... horror? Harry wasn't quite sure but he immediately got up and moved away, his gaze never leaving the other boy's as the redhead apparently swung down from a tree branch and onto the ground.
Ron stood up and stared at Harry, emotions racing through his eyes as he apparently struggled with what to do or say. Eventually, he reached a conclusion and began stammering out a welcome, afraid that it was going to be rejected. "H-Hello, Harry," he said quietly and with his eyes fixed on the ground.
Harry looked at him oddly, unsure as how to respond. "Hello... Ron," he said, his green eyes fixed on the redhead in front of him.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" asked Ron, giving Harry a small smile of hope.
"Yes, it has," Harry said, anger apparently welling up inside him. His voice came out clipped and cold, surprising even himself.
"I'm sorry," Ron said quietly, again shifting his glance away.
"Well, you should be," Harry said angrily, looking at the redhead who suddenly turned his blue eyes, full of anger, towards him.
"You were the one who couldn't wait to leave!" Ron yelled at Harry, anger and pain visible in his eyes.
"What did you want me to do? I told you when I was leaving. You could have visited me anytime over these last few years, but you never did. You didn't even see me off as I went off to that school," Harry said, rage welling up inside him.
"Well, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I tried to but couldn't run fast enough to catch up to the horses. I'm sorry I was unsure whether you would accept my apology or reject it, but I guess it's obvious now, isn't it? I'll just be on my way then," Ron said, holding his pride and beginning to turn around when an arm suddenly grabbed out at him.
"Wait," Harry said and Ron suddenly found himself in an embrace which he quickly disentangled himself from.
"Whoah, hold on there," Ron said, confused and unsure of what was going on.
"I'm sorry too," Harry said, looking at Ron. "I've been coming here to the creek though, every year, and you... well, you never showed up. I thought you never would. I wasn't exactly ready to forgive you, and I really thought you had decided to not to see me off. How was I supposed to know you tried running after the carriage. All I was doing was sulking that first year and cowering in fear as the thoughts of what awaited me finally hit me," Harry continued, looking at Ron with full sincerity.
"Well, I accept your apology," Ron said, with a grin on his face. "And I have been here, Harry. You just never happened to look up," Ron said.
Harry looked at Ron incredulously, at the ease at which his apology had been accepted, at how easily they had renewed their friendship. Thoughts of how he wished Draco's friendship could be renewed this quickly once again entered his mind but he pushed it away. It was about Ron at the moment. It was about his first friend. He directed a small smile at his friend before sitting down on the grass, his back towards a tree.
"So... how have you been?" Harry asked, after a few minutes of silence.
"I've been alright, helping mum here and there, attending school. On my way to becoming an accountant, or something within my ranges of possibilities. I'm still not sure," Ron said. "How about you?" he asked, turning around to Harry.
"Well, I haven't thought that far into my future," Harry said, "but we're currently horse racing. That reminds me," Harry said suddenly, "your brother, Charlie, I've met him."
"Charlie? That traitor, going to work at the Malfoy manor...," Ron said but quickly dropped the rest as he recieved a cold glare from Harry. "What? Not all of us can get over rivalry that quickly," Ron said before continuing. "Yeah, Charlie's told us about you. He asked me if I knew you and told me you had mentioned me," Ron said, looking over at Harry quickly before looking back down.
"Yeah," Harry said, allowing silence to cover them for a few more minutes before continuing. "He's a good teacher."
"One of the best trainers," Ron said.
"One of the best at racing," Harry said.
"One of the best at choosing the horse," Ron added.
"One of the best... looking," Harry said, before immediately catching himself. He cast a quick glance at Ron, who apparently hadn't heard, as he was directing his gaze towards the stream. He couldn't quite be sure, but he decided to forget it nonetheless, hoping that it had, in fact, bounced off of Ron's ears.
"So... our friendships renewed, just like that?" Ron asked silently.
"Apparently so," Harry answered after a few silent moments of consideration.
Ron let out a sigh. "Well, if I'd known it would have been that easy then I should have done it ages ago. You do not know how bored I've been with only Ginny and Fred and George as my companions. I mean, they're ok, but they're not nearly as good as your company."
Harry looked at Ron incredulously before laughing out loud. Ron soon followed after and they both found themselves reminiscing about old times and telling each other about the things they'd done over the years, the people they had met, and everything else they could think about.
XXXX
"I was talking to Harry some time ago," Ron said suddenly. Charlie was visiting the Weasley's home with Harry and Harry had gone off on his horse for a short trip, leaving Ron and Charlie behind to catch up.
"Oh really," Charlie said, feigning interest. He wasn't too sure what it was about, but he didn't know whether he was really interested or not.
"Yeah, and we mentioned you," Ron added, with the same calm tone and expression as before.
"So, talking about me behind my back?" Charlie asked, looking over at Ron curiously. It was rare that Ron ever talked calmly and when he did, it was because something was bothering him.
Ron looked at him slightly before staring straight ahead again. "No... more like complimenting," Ron said.
"And you wanted to tell me this because...," Charlie asked when Ron suddenly turned to look at him.
"Harry mentioned you were good looking," Ron said calmly, completing throwing Charlie off balance and stopping him in his tracks.
"What?" Charlie asked, eyes wide in surprise.
"Harry mentioned your looks," Ron said before going off on his horse, leaving Charlie behind to think over the situation.
Charlie stared off after his brother and then looked over at Harry, eyebrows furrowed in thought as he tried to solve this new and sudden realization and a glint of hope showing in his eyes.
"Charlie, are you ready to leave?" asked a voice behind him.
Harry was on his horse, his wild raven black hair was air-blown and his cheeks had a faint red coloring. He smiled lopsidedly at Charlie, and Charlie could not resist smiling back. He nodded and yelling out a goodbye to Ron who was some good meters away from him, rode off with Harry, thinking if anything could ever happen with the boy in front of him.
It was getting dark, and the slight wind complimented the beautiful clear night that was fast approaching. After some rains that had been present in the area for some time, clear days and clear nights started to become regular weather. Good thing too, for Harry's birthday was in two days time.
The manor finally came into view and Harry looked back at Charlie, but Charlie seemed to be in deep thought. His eyes lingered a bit on Charlie's form, but he quickly averted his thoughts and headed straight to the stables.
XXXX
Harry woke up early on his birthday. He was sixteen years old and had now been living in the manor for almost five years. Time had passed rather quickly, but old wounds had not yet closed when new ones had occurred. He looked down and saw a pile of gifts near his bed. Today was not the day to be thinking such thoughts. He smiled and picked up the parcels, setting everything in his bed.
His first gift was from Lord and Lady Malfoy. It was a new, beautiful set of riding attire with a note attached to it that read 'For the race'. Considering the ones he had had were used constantly, a new set was in great need. The next gift was a set of pastries from Mrs. Weasley and some items that the twins had developed who were also from Ron. His next gift was from Charlie. He opened the small box and inside was a small glittering horse pendant.
Harry picked it up and held it in his hand. He ran his thumb over it, seeing the intricate details of the pendant. 'This is beautiful' he thought, and he continued to stare at it for some minutes trying to decipher each and every detail in the horse. He definitely had to thank Charlie for his gift.
He picked up his last gift and noticed it was from Draco. He had not thought that Draco would get him anything but there it was. He slowly took off the package paper and his eyes went wide at what he saw.
It was an old bound book illustrated with horses and information about them. Harry turned each page with wonder, taking in the illustrations and the many notes about horses that were written next to the illustrations. It covered information from food that needed to be fed to horses to internal anatomy. When he got to the last page, the name of the owner of the book was written in bold cursive. He gave a small gasp as he realized who had written the book. It was a book or rather a journal of the famous horse racer Jonathan Reeles. He was a legend in horse racing that had shattered records fifty years ago. He had died from a fever when he visited the Mediterranean and had been mourned by all England.
'It must have cost a fortune to acquire this!' thought Harry as he started looking at the journal from the beginning. Or maybe it had been Draco's beforehand. Draco was proud of the things he had, surely he would have kept it instead of giving it to him. It was such a valuable object, and he could see Draco showing the book to all of his Slytherin friends. Or maybe Draco really did intend to give him the journal as a peace offering. He was not sure that he could make peace with Draco. Something was wrong with Draco; his silence did not bode well with him. Also, he was not sure he could be with Draco after what he had witnessed. Every time he would see Draco, the image replayed in his mind. He needed more time. Yet…what if the only way for him to forget was to talk to Draco again? He shook himself out of those thoughts and instead focused on the book. He was so enthralled that by the time he knew it, breakfast had long been over, and Dobby came to find him for his birthday dinner.
The dinner passed without any significant occurrences. Harry had thanked them all for his gifts, but he felt the need to thank Draco personally. But what if certain subjects were brought up? Harry had no need to worry, for right before dinner was over; Draco excused himself and left the table.
After dinner had been over, Harry walked to the stables. He had to thank Charlie for his gift, but he could not find him anywhere. 'That's strange' he thought as he walked a few meters into the field.
"Harry! Get on a horse! Come on!" yelled Charlie, who was at the end of the field and where the forest started.
Harry grinned and quickly got on his horse, and set to a fast gallop to where Charlie was. Charlie gave him no time at all to say hello before he shot into the forest.
Harry's grin became wider, and he set out after Charlie at a fast speed. He went into the forest and he could barely see the top of Charlie's red hair. He continuously ducked when he came close to a tree branch, and his trained eyes sought to never lose sight of Charlie.
After twenty minutes of intense riding, Charlie abruptly stopped at the edge of the river and turned to look at Harry. He got off the horse, with Harry following him close behind.
"Isn't it beautiful, Harry?" murmured Charlie as he sat down at the edge of the river, looking on wistfully.
"Yes, it is," replied Harry, sitting next to Charlie. "I've never been in this area, only farther up the river."
Harry noticed how close Charlie was next to him. He did not remember sitting that close. He cleared his throat, and looked straight ahead. "I wanted to thank you for the pendant, Charlie. It is beautiful."
Charlie turned to him with a wide smile. "I am glad you liked it, it is for good luck. Although, I am sure you do not need luck."
Harry laughed quietly, "never be so sure about that."
"I am sure of many things," whispered Charlie, looking directly at Harry.
Harry tried to avert his eyes but found he was unable to.
"And unsure of others," he continued. "But I am sure of you," he concluded his face a mere centimeter from Harry.
Before Harry knew what was happening, he felt lips on his. He could not respond, it was as if his mind and thoughts had frozen, and only the feeling of lips on his had intensified his senses into an unbearable pleasure.
He moved his lips a little, and suddenly, he abruptly detached himself from Charlie and looked at him with wide eyes.
"Listen, Harry…I am sorry…I thought…"
Harry shook his head frantically, and looking at Charlie's sad face, got on his horse and took off in a wild stride. He did not think…he could not think during his ride back to the manor.
It was not until he got into his room that he realized the situation. He had just been kissed. By a boy. Well, a man. A man that he thought was his friend. Was he destined to be uncomfortable around his friends? First Draco and now Charlie? He could not deny that the kiss was pleasant for him nor he could not deny that the thought of being kissed by Charlie was not disgusting to him. He did not know what to think. Did he like Charlie? A lot? He had a lesson with him tomorrow, could he ignore Charlie just like Draco?
He fell asleep instantly, but even in his dreams, the same questions plagued him.
XXXX
"Harry, how are you?"
"Fine, Charlie."
Charlie looked uncomfortable with him; he nodded once and turned towards his horse.
"Do a few runs, I will watch you from over there."
Harry nodded but Charlie did not seem to notice. Charlie would not look at him, and his voice was purely business.
Harry started his runs, but in the corner of his eyes he could see Charlie intently watching him with a sad look on his face.
He finished his run and Charlie stood there waiting for him with a brush in his hand.
"Harry, I do not want to lose you as a friend. I am sorry for what I did. I should not have done it….you are…" He stopped as he struggled to find the right words while he started brushing the horse.
"Charlie," whispered Harry. "Charlie, please look at me."
Charlie finally looked at him since the prior evening. His blue eyes were sad and filled with remorse as he looked at Harry.
Harry could not bear seeing Charlie looking at him that way. Charlie had been so nice to him, the one that understood him, and the one that had helped him get pass his fear of horses. No one had done that for him.
He leaned in and gently brought his lips to Charlie's. It was a gentle, but quick kiss. Yet, it felt wonderful.
"I did…" he took a deep breath, "like it. I was just shocked."
He saw Charlie's blue eyes slowly take on a new light, and Harry felt he had done the right thing.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait! Things were just so hectic and so busy…but it got done! Since it's summer…updates should be faster! What do you think Draco would do about Harry kissing….CHARLIE? ahhhhhhh! lol please review!