Friends Vs Enemies
"Look, bottom line is, we're his friends and we have to support him unconditionally just like he's done us before," Hermione said.
"You incompetent fool of a weasel!" Draco Malfoy's voice rang in the corridor.
All students in the hallway held their breath and turned to the direction the voice came from.
Draco Malfoy stood at the beginning of the hall, but quickly made his way through. "Out of my way," he scoffed, walking through to Hermione and Ron.
"What is the meaning of this, ferret boy?"
"Your incompetence to keep Potter on leash had cost me last night's rest, you red rug! Couldn't you do your only assignment right?"
"Professor Dumbledore said Harry was with him last night, you lying scum!"
Draco Malfoy slammed Ron Weasley into the wall and glared at him from less then two four inches away. "Why would I waste my time for a scene with you, numb brain? Potter turned up intoxicated, drunk silly, last night, and guess who found him."
"Let me go, you disgusting rodent," Ron spat, shoving Malfoy 2 feet away.
"You're in trouble, weasel. That's the reason it's not so bad. And, from what I heard from poor little potty last night, you suck as a friend just as much," Malfoy hissed before walking off.
"Just what do you know about friendship, asshole?" Ron called.
Malfoy looked over his shoulder, sneering. "Obviously more than you'll ever know."
Ron turned to Hermione. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"
She shrugged. "How should I know? Look, anyway, we should find Harry then discuss all this, ok?"
She led the way towards the Hall for breakfast.
"Maybe he didn't arrive yet," Ron said, looking around.
Hermione nodded in disappointment at their friend's absence and went to sit at Gryffindor's table.
"Good morning!" Ginny cheerfully greeted. Slowly, attention turned concerned. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing," Hermione said.
"It's Harry! He's being so weird!"
Hermione glared at Ron then turned back to Ginny. "It's nothing. Harry's just stressed from everything. He'll be ok, he always is."
"Good job, Hermione, now try convincing me," Ginny said, smiling.
"Good morning."
They turned. Hermione smiled. "Hey Harry, how-"
"Where the hell have you been?!" Ron cried standing, and startling everyone, even Harry.
"None of your concern," Harry said as almost a physical shield came between him and everyone else, taking a seat.
"What do you mean none of my concern?"
"Ron, sit," Hermione suddenly spoke, firmly.
You suck as a friend. "And since when were you chums with Malfoy?"
Harry exhaled. Everyone listened quietly as Harry frowned. "These pancakes need syrup." He turned to Seamus. "Can you pass the maple syrup, please?" He paused, reaching towards Seamus who's eyes kept staring. "Seamus?"
Seamus blinked a few times. "Wha'? Oh! Yeah. Maple syrup," Seamus mumbled, passing the small container. "Yes."
Harry emptied it on the pancakes.
"Sweet tooth, anyone," Seamus joked.
Harry smiled and put the container down. "It's better this way."
"I've never seen so much syrup on one plate before," Seamus mocked dramatically, leaning into Harry. "Oh, Harry!"
Harry elbowed him playfully and started eating, oblivious to anything and anyone else.
"Harry!"
Harry jumped. "What?"
"I've been talking you the past minute!"
"Oh, I didn't hear you. Sorry Ron, these pancakes are good."
Ron glanced at the plate and swallowed… Syrup.
"Someone's going to have a marvelous sugar-high during Charms," Ginny laughed.
"Oh, Charming!" Harry remembered, grinning.
"And here we go! Gentlemen, place your bets!" Dean joked.
Hermione remained very quiet until Harry stood. Her eyes followed him.
"Well, I'm off. See you, everyone!" he said, leaving the table and the Hall.
"Seamus, did you spike the syrup?"
"Who, me?" Seamus said in mock surprise. "Never!"
"Whatever."
"Won't you go talk to him? He might be more comfortable talking to you," Hermione said, looking at Ron.
He gave her a 'please don't make me…' look.
"Honestly, Hermione. Men don't talk."
Hermione smiled. Her eyes followed Draco Malfoy and some other students as they walked out of the Hall.
"Out of my way, short person," he huffed, making his way to class.
"Draco!"
His brows frowned at the revolting ring of that voice. He simply walked faster to class. He froze at the threshold at the sound of a loud thump from either side. He looked at the ceiling, cursing his luck, before walking into the class, leaving Crabbe and Goyle to pick themselves up and scurry in after.
Taking his seat, he set his things in front of him. An unfamiliar presence slumping next to him forced him to stop and turn to his right. His brow rose in wonder.
"How?"
Malfoy snorted. "Two hours later you remember to wonder about whatever happened to you? You truly are an idiot."
"Malfoy, don't be such a sod. I'm serious."
"Why, you're asking me not to breathe, Potty," Malfoy said, mock dripping from each word like an overflowing glass.
"Can I do that?" Harry replied with just as much sarcasm.
"What do you want, Potter?" Goyle said, approaching them with Crabbe.
"Yeah, what do you want?"
Harry turned to Malfoy. "How can you stand this brainlessness? Doesn't it kill your ability to think?"
"If the mudblood can stand you, I can stand anyone."
"Don't call her a mudblood, Malfoy," Harry snarled.
"Good morning, everyone!" the professor said, walking in. Harry quickly stood to leave. "Ah! Harry! You've taken the initiative to mending the relationship between Gryffindor and Slytherin! How brave! Everyone should take an example in Harry! You are truly a leader!"
Harry blushed slightly, brushing his fingers through his hair in frustration as he dropped back into his seat.
"Next to your rival, no less!"
"No less, sir," Harry mumbled, bringing his wand out and charming his things over.
"How brave. Truly a leader," Malfoy mocked, breathlessly, putting a hand on his heart and wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye wit his other hand.
"Actually, professor," Harry said, standing. The professor turned back to him. "It's a hopeless case," he added before levitating his things and making his way back to his original seat.
Some students laughed. Even Malfoy smirked.
After classes, Draco Malfoy found himself walking up the stares of the Astronomy Tower, mumbling. "Muggle-loving sorry excuse of a headmaster, why the hell would you check the Astronomy Tower? I'm sure even you had a romp… His thoughts froze. Disgusting! His face scrunched up. Gross! GROSS! He sped up. He paused at a door when a sound came through it. His mouth curled in utter disgust.
He finally reached the top and looked in before exhaling and turning to leave. He suddenly froze, what the… and turned around. Will he fall if I call him? He took a hesitant step forward. Will he fall if I come closer and startle him? He frowned, taking another confident step. If he falls and dies, Dumbledore dash Dumby will pin it on me, of course. His next step returned to hesitant.
"I know you're here," Harry said, turning his head.
"Oh good," Malfoy said, stopping. Tension in his back he never knew existed relaxed.
Harry looked back out the window as he sat on the sill, leaning on the structure wall.
"We have got to stop meeting like this."
"What, alone and mysteriously?" Harry said, grinning.
"Mysteriously my ass. Dumbledore thought it would be fun to send me checking on the Humping Tower."
Harry smiled to the night.
Malfoy turned and walked out.
"What did I tell you last night?"
"Blackmail material," Malfoy said, pausing.
Harry turned and eyed him, a brow higher than the other.
"Things you never tell your enemy."
"You're not my enemy."
Malfoy's head lifted an inch. He turned and folded his arms, demanding an explanation, though Harry was no longer looking towards him.
"You're just seriously misguided."
"It's after hours, Potter."
"Why didn't you take me to the infirmary or turn me in?"
"You said it wouldn't matter because you're Golden Brat and my room was closer. Since I wasn't going to enjoy watching you suffer punishment, why bother? I tossed you on the couch and went to bed."
"And you believed me?"
Malfoy gaped. Oh… That's right! WHY THE FUCK DID I BELIEVE HIM?
"It was a bed."
"A sofa-bed." Malfoy said, automatically.
"So you took the time to turn it to a bed before "tossing" me on it? I'm touched."
"I turned nothing. One phrase would turn it back and forth."
"Still, you could have left it."
Malfoy pondered.
"Left me there," Harry said, his voice dropping. "See? You're not fit to be an enemy," Harry chuckled.
"Potter, are you high?"
Harry laughed. "Why is it when I'm very serene that people think something is up?"
"Because you're never serene. So, when you are, it's freaky."
"Freaky?" Harry repeated. "Aunt Petunia always thought I was freaky." You freak! He smiled bitterly.
"Don't get all depressed. I might have to harass you and I'm not up to it after finishing all the homework that darling Professor Halfwhit gave."
"Flitwick," Harry corrected, unconsciously. "It's due Tuesday."
They stayed where they were silently.
"You've changed, Malfoy. You can hold a conversation and not swear every other word. You're actually 13 in maturity now."
Malfoy glared. "I hope you fall," he said, turning to leave.
"I take it back," Harry laughed. "But… it's a long way down," Harry said, his voice dropping. His eyes looked down the distance.
He looked over his shoulder. "Happy floating," he said. "Get your sorry Gryffindork sponge-of-a-brain in bed or your dear Dumby would… cry or something." He rolled his eyes.
"Dumby?" Harry laughed. "Don't tell me. Last night?"
Malfoy made his way down and towards the castle. "You have 5 minutes to get your ass in the castle before losing a shit-load of house points."
Malfoy stepped out of the tower. He looked over his shoulders as steps approached him from the back.
Without a word, he lead the way back to the castle.