Chapter 13: Keeping Secrets Isn't Always an Option
A/N: Well this chapter isn't too smexy, some fluff, but a lot of angst and drama with the boys in regards to a certain red head, but alas it must be written. Enjoy!
The next morning the Gryffindor tower was a buzz of conversation and excitement at the snow that had fallen overnight.
"Harry, get up! It snowed last night!" Ron cried as he started throwing things out of his trunk in order to find his gloves and boots.
Harry groaned. "I know, Ron," he muttered.
Ron stopped digging through his trunk and looked over his shoulder at him. "How did you know?"
Harry's eyes widened as he realized what he had said. His mind raced to find an explanation for how he already knew it snowed. He decided to tell a half truth. "I woke up last night from a dream and got up for a bit and happened to look outside and see that it was snowing," he replied.
Ron looked at him for a moment thoughtfully. "Are you having nightmares again?" he asked sincerely.
Harry frowned. "Well, no, it was a dream, but a weird and disturbing dream, but I'm not having nightmares about Voldemort or anything," he replied.
"Oh okay, well if you do, you'll tell me, right?" he asked.
"Yeah of course," Harry responded. He sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"What was your disturbing dream about? Were you making out with Malfoy or something? Ha, that'd be disturbing for sure!" he joked.
Harry coughed loudly to cover the truth of how dead on Ron was, well for the most part except he had been dreaming of him instead. Ron looked up at him in confusion as he had his coughing fit. "You alright, mate?" he asked in concern.
Harry nodded and got out of bed. "Yeah, just swallowed wrong," he said with a shrug.
Ron looked at him oddly, but turned back to looking through his trunk. Harry got up and put on some clothes as well as finding his gloves and boots. He was a bit more organized then Ron so he was ready quicker than he was.
"Is everyone heading outside after breakfast?" Harry asked as he continued to watch Ron. He sighed as he went over and started looking for the items Ron was looking for. He found them easily, in the wardrobe. Ron blushed as he took the items from him.
"Yeah. Everyone's pretty excited," Ron commented as he slipped his boots on and put his gloves in his pocket.
Harry nodded as he and Ron walked out of their room and down to the common room. Hermione was sitting on the couch and she glanced up at the two as they came down. She could tell instantly that Harry was feeling guilty about something. She lifted an eyebrow and he gave a quick shake of his head which only intrigued her more.
"Mione, Harry had a disturbing dream last night," Ron commented as he sat down next to her on the couch.
Hermione looked over at him. "What happened? It wasn't You Know Who, was it?" she questioned.
Harry narrowed his gaze at Ron who shrugged and looked away. "No, Hermione, it wasn't a dream like that. I haven't had one involving him in awhile. And yes, I'll let you know if I do, okay?" he responded in a voice that implied he had said this several times before.
"Sheesh, I was just concerned. Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Hermione said defensively. Harry threw his hands up in annoyance and walked out of the common room. Hermione and Ron looked at each other briefly before following behind him.
They never caught up with Harry on the way to the Great Hall as he was moving pretty quickly. Of course, they didn't really try either because he seemed annoyed anyway. Harry stopped at the bottom of the staircase and took a deep breath. He was annoyed with Ron for telling Hermione he had a dream and he of course didn't like lying to Ron for why he knew it was snowing. He started to head for the doors to the Great Hall when he heard someone clearing their throat to his left. He turned and couldn't help, but smile at the person who had cleared their throat, feeling the annoyance slip out of him and slide away.
"Hey you," Draco said quietly as he stepped within hearing distance.
"Hello to you," Harry responded still grinning broadly.
"You alright? You're smiling, but your eyes don't quite match the smile," Draco asked him. He was itching to step closer to him.
Harry shrugged. "It's really nothing, just sort of lied to Ron about my dream and how I knew that it had snowed last night and then he told Hermione that I had a disturbing dream and she of course asked if it was about Voldemort. Same old stuff, just a different day," he replied.
Draco stepped closer to him and was only a mere couple of feet away. "I see. When was the last time you dreamed about him?" he asked unable to say the man's name. He had visibly shaken when Harry said his name.
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he looked around. Draco was looking at him sincerely. "I guess it's been a couple of weeks. I don't have them very often. Anyway, it just annoys me sometimes. How are you this morning? Is your dorm all excited over the snow?"
Draco frowned at the subject change, but decided not to pursue it. "Oh yeah, but as Slytherins we are much more refined and calm about it," he responded with a grin.
"Ah, well, in typical Gryffindor fashion, we are all super excited and exuberant about the snow. I imagine that as soon as breakfast is over there will be a full blown snowball fight outside. Care to join?" Harry responded with a waggle of his eyebrows.
Draco continued to grin and lifted an eyebrow. "Is that a challenge, Potter?"
Harry shrugged and winked. "It could be."
Draco's grin widened and he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "I really want to kiss you right now," he whispered. He licked his lips and looked down at Harry's lips. Harry grinned and a blush colored his cheeks. He took one more glance at his lips before leaning down and pressing his lips against Harry's. As it does every time they kiss, a warm feeling filled both their bellies. Draco wound his arms around Harry's waist pulling him against him. Harry rested his hands against his chest, deepening the kiss and enjoying the feel of him.
Their kiss was over far sooner than either boy wanted. They didn't step out of each other's grasp, but simply stayed where they were, hugging. "You know, it's really hard not to want to spend every moment with you," Draco whispered into his ear.
Harry nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean," he responded quietly.
"We really need to go eat breakfast and enjoy the snow while we can," Draco said not making any move to let go of him.
"Yeah, I know. I don't want to move though," Harry muttered.
He felt Draco smile against his cheek before he felt his lips press against him. He returned the kiss to Draco's cheek and started to move back.
"Harry? What are you doing?" Ron asked from behind him. His voice sounded horrified and confused. Draco's eyes widened as did Harry's. They locked on each other and tried to figure out what to do. Draco gave him an apologetic look and shoved him.
"Whoa, Potter, how about you watch where you're going? You don't own the school," Draco said louder than necessary.
Harry stared at him and then glared. "So sorry, Malfoy. I didn't realize you needed the whole hallway to yourself," he responded as he spun on his heel and walked away. Ron looked between the two in confusion. He knew that he had seen Harry kiss Draco on the cheek, right? He shook his head and continued to look confused. Hermione and Draco looked at each other and he gave her a small smile before he walked into the Great Hall where Harry had just gone.
"Mione, Harry was kissing Draco on the cheek. I saw it," he whispered in shock.
"Oh, Ronald, you are just imagining things," she responded quickly.
"No, I saw it! Why would he do something like that? That's just, that's just, it's Malfoy, it's not right…" Ron trailed off as he followed behind her.
She stopped and turned to look at him. She crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze, "He wasn't kissing him. Why would he do that? Besides, what if he did like guys or something, what then?" she demanded.
Ron's face reddened and his mouth moved to form words, but nothing came out. Hermione shook her head and walked into the Great Hall. Ron followed still unable to form any words. He looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Draco looking across the hall at the Gryffindor table. He followed his gaze even though he knew who he was looking at. He was correct when his eyes fell on Harry who was returning the look. There was no hate or anger in either one of their eyes. Ron's mouth was agape as he realized what look was in their eyes.
He waltzed over to the Gryffindor table and plopped down in front of Harry, breaking his eye contact with Draco. He narrowed his gaze at him. "Tell me it isn't true," he said in a calm voice that was on the edge of hysteria.
Harry looked at him with a mouthful of cereal. "Tell you what isn't true?" he asked worried that Ron had found out about his dream somehow.
"Seriously? I saw you," Ron responded his calm beginning to falter.
Harry looked at him in confusion. "Saw me where?"
"Were you not paying attention in the hallway?" he demanded.
"Ron, you're making no sense. What you saw in the hallway is what always happens between Dr-Malfoy and I. We somehow run into each other and he shoves me or I shove him, some words are exchanged, the end," Harry responded. He tried to ignore the fact that his voice was higher pitched than usual and that he had almost called Draco by his first name.
"Harry, I may be dumb at times, but right now, I know exactly what I saw. You were kissing Malfoy," Ron whispered heatedly.
Harry's eyes widened and he looked around them in panic. "Ron, shut it. You don't know what you're talking about," he whispered urgently.
Draco was watching the two from across the hall. He kept catching glimpses of Harry and each time he looked increasingly panicked and upset. He didn't like that look. He was tensing in his seat and Pansy sensed it. She looked over at him in concern. He could see her looking over at him, but he refused to look away. He shook his head and she followed his line of sight. She could deduce from Ron's movements and Harry's expression that something wasn't right.
Ron glared at him. "I can't believe you can't even tell me the truth. Just tell me already! You have a thing for Malfoy! That's what you were so happy about the other day!" Ron yelled his cool fading. Harry looked at him horrified. The Great Hall was quiet now with just whispers working through.
Draco's mouth dropped open as he heard Ron's yelling. Pansy looked over at him and then back at the Gryffindor table. Half the students in the Great Hall were looking at Draco and the other half were looking at Harry. Hermione turned around from the staff table unaware that Ron had approached Harry about what they saw in the hallway. She stared at the two in concern. She glanced over at Draco who looked equally horrified
"I can't believe you! You're an idiot if you think that's true!" Harry yelled back before he got up from the table and started walking towards the Great Hall doors.
"Oh, no, Harry! You aren't getting away. I can tell that I am right," Ron called after him as he got up from the table as well. Harry stopped and turned around to look at him.
"I am not having this conversation with you. How dare you get into my personal business like that and announce it to the whole damn school? I can't believe you," Harry yelled back at him.
"So it's true?" Ron asked.
Harry glared at him. "I am not going to answer that question. Get out of my face, Weasley."
Ron stared at him and then puffed out his cheeks angrily. He stepped forward and was literally within inches of getting in Harry's face. Draco stood up from the Slytherin table and started moving towards them. "Weasley, is it? Hmm, I guess you have been hanging out with him. I'm surprised you didn't call me Weasel," Ron said angrily.
"Ron, that's enough. Leave Harry alone," Hermione said as her voice caught up with her brain. She was standing next to Harry now.
"Wow, you've even got her in on it too. That's just great. Since when did this golden trio become a duo?" he demanded.
Harry threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "We're done here. I'm done talking to you," he said in defeat.
"Well, I am not done," Ron responded as he shoved Harry in the chest.
Draco stepped in and shoved Ron out of the way. "Back off," he ordered. Harry looked up at him with surprise. He could see him glaring at Ron who was glaring back.
"Obviously I am correct," Ron seethed.
Draco shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Weasley, I stepped in because you're getting in someone's face over personal business. I think Potter has had enough of people getting into his business including me. I think he deserves some peace and privacy for once," he reasoned.
"Fuck you, Malfoy. You're into him as well. Just admit it," Ron responded angrily.
"Mr. Weasley, I think we've all had enough of your talk. I will see you in my office right now," Professor McGonagall ordered. She started walking towards the doors.
"Not yet," Ron muttered under his breath as he clenched a fist and reached back and connected with Draco's jaw. Hermione let out a screech as Draco went down. Harry stared up at his best friend in shock before he knelt down next to Draco and placed a hand at his face. Draco's eyes looked unfocused.
Professor McGonagall looked shocked at Ron's move and walked over and took a hold of his arm and dragged him out of the Great Hall.
"Hey, Draco, are you okay?" Harry whispered as he smoothed his hair off his face.
Draco's eyes moved around some and then finally focused on him. "I'm going to kill him," he groaned. He ran a hand over his jaw and winced. Harry helped him up to sitting. He smoothed a thumb against the bruise that was quickly forming on his jaw. He smiled at him.
"You know, you didn't have to step in. I can handle him," Harry whispered to him.
"Yeah, I know, but he was pissing me off and making you uncomfortable so I couldn't help, but step in. I'd do it again in a heartbeat too," Draco promised.
"I know you would and thank you. Let's get you some ice," Harry said as he helped him up. He kept an arm around his waist and didn't really care who saw. It was pretty much out there that he and Draco was a thing of some sort. No sense in trying to hide it. He helped Draco out of the Great Hall with Hermione and Pansy on their heels.